Questions One: Are you happy with the state of our world and culture as well as the influence of Christianity on that culture? Most of us would say absolutely NO. Who could be happy? In fact, Christianity seems to be in retreat rather than advancing. Recent headlines reveal the truth about our culture. Today over 40% of all births in America are from unwed mothers. What does that tell you about the condition of the family in our society? Frankly, there’s no point going on discussing the moral decline of our culture over the past few decades. We are all aware of it. If anything, Christianity is not changing the world, but the world is changing us. If we are honest about the facts, there is no other conclusion we can draw. It is what it is. All of our programs and resources are not hitting the mark.
Question Two: What issues or specific problems are blocking the influence of Christianity in the world? Sure, it would be easy to say it’s sin, and you would be correct. Obviously, we can point to the devil. The Word says that we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms accordingly to Ephesians 6.
But I am convinced we must go deeper to understand the specific strategies and techniques that undermine the work of the Body of Christ. We just can’t blame everything on the devil.
Question Three: What happens to our culture and the world in general if we continue on our present course? I think the answer is obvious. The world will only get darker. I believe our situation is a classic example of the definition of insanity. We keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Unfortunately, all of our hard work and effort is changing absolutely nothing.
Do you know when we are most honest with ourselves? Late at night at 3 o’clock in the morning when we cannot sleep. That’s the time that we take an honest look at ourselves and at our efforts. We are losing this culture if we continue to apply the same Christian model for ministry. We need some new strategies and insights.
I am not suggesting that your ministry is a waste of time or that you should replace it. But I do believe there are solutions that, in fact, will help you to be more effective in your ministry for the Kingdom of God.
Question Four: If you could identify the problem and find a solution, what would you do? It’s a question we should ask ourselves. I’m sure we all want to make a difference. Who doesn’t want to get up in the morning and be successful? Nobody desires for their efforts and hard work to be in vain. The question is, what do you base success on. I’m convinced the world offers one view and the Bible offers a totally different perspective on success. Spiritual or Biblical success has very little to do with worldly success. So in order to identify a workable solution, one has to have a proper perspective of spiritual success. With that in mind, I’m convinced we would do everything we could do to advance the Kingdom of God if we could clearly see the obstacles that are in our path and obtain a clear strategy for Biblical success.
Question Five: How would you respond if I told you I know what the problem is and that I have real solutions on how we can change our culture and our world? Obviously, that’s a bold statement. You would probably think to yourself, well I’ve heard that one before. Frankly, I would be just as skeptical. Enter into any Christian bookstore and you can find thousands of books providing answers on marriage, family, cultural issues and ministry in general. How is it then that I have anything new to say?
First of all, I have been asking God these questions for over 20 years and looking for answers. So I didn’t just start yesterday. Sure, there have been many people who have identified the problems and issues we face. Others have come up with solutions to some of those problems. But nobody, in my opinion, has put all the pieces together or connected the dots. What God has shown me is the whole picture as a mosaic or holistic approach to the issues and problems we face with plausible solutions.
That’s why I wrote a new book titled A Media Culture, Crisis or Opportunity, The Rise of the Media Missionary. It’s a blueprint for change in our society to advance the cause of Christ. If you have read my blog, you probably realize that the media culture is the problem, and the solutions lie in understanding the impact that the media culture has on each of us.
The solutions have more to do with changing our views on ministry and culture as the Body of Christ than changing Hollywood itself. The solutions also must take into account the rise of the new media church, which has enormous implications. And the real problem isn’t about sex, violence, language or nudity. The issues go much deeper and are more complex. It’s also not about more family-friendly programming. We won’t find the solution in a new Disney channel. Removing the cable is also not a solution or workable answer.
If we are going to find answers, we are going to have to dig deep. We now live our lives in the marketplace. Everything today is a form of buying and selling. It is fueled by an never-ending appetite for consumerism. Our lives are now powered by every form of advertising, branding and marketing imaginable. We also live in a time in which celebrity has become the ultimate goal. My new book explores the influence of consumerism and greed on our culture and the distortion of the American dream and it’s impact and influence. But at the heart of the book, I offer five core principles that can change our culture.
What I have described above is the new DNA for an entire generation. The millennial generation are the children of the media culture. They are programmed to live in the marketplace. They are lost without their media and are incapable of thinking for themselves or understanding and interpreting the world around them without it.
Those are my five questions. Are you ready to make a difference?
How can you help? You can read the book when it becomes available and apply its principles. Purchase additional copies and send them to your family and friends. You can also help to make the book a reality in the first place. I am currently raising resources to self publish the book. Your support is important. Consider making a tax-exempt donation on line through Pay Pal at mediamissionaryschool.com. Or you can send a check payable to Flannelgraph Ministries to 7364 Cumberland Circle, Florence, KY 41042. Whichever option you choose, I appreciate your support. I want to have this book available within the next 90 to 120 days. With your help that’s a real possibility. And, of course, your prayers are invaluable.
