VH1: An Educational Experience?
I was watching some of I Love the 90s: Part Deux on VH1 tonight, and was wondering if there was something here that churches could glean? I’m not talking about the trivial facts from the decades we about which we now wax nostalgic. I’m talking about something deeper (or maybe it’s more shallow – I don’t know).
I’ll be honest – those I Love the (Name the Decade) shows are usually unavoidable to me. If I come across it while channel surfing, I’ve found my TV show till the end of the hour. Something tells me that others in my generation secretly enjoy watching them, too. Otherwise, they wouldn’t keep making new episodes and filling VH1’s schedule with them. Something about them resonates – and I’m sure it has something to do with the presentation. VH1 and MTV spend countless time not only reinforcing today’s culture, but they also know their audience like no one else. When they put out a product, it’s usually successful because they know their audience. They not only know them, they own them.
If the church is ever going to be effective in reaching my generation and those that come after mine, we are going to have to learn something from what the “music video” stations (do they even show videos anymore?) have already figured out.
I thought about it for a while, and suddenly had visions of someone trying to create an I Love the Old Testament video series (or I Love the Sermon on the Mount, or better yet – I Love the Priestly Codes in Leviticus…wouldn’t that be a blockbuster?) and saw people who just didn’t get what I’m talking about. It’s not something we can copycat. It’s something we need to understand about communication and methods of communicating ideas and opinion. Is there a way that can translate into communicating Truth?
At Milligan, Dr. Higgins asked our Philosophy of Religion class this question: “How do you communicate Truth to a Titanic culture?” At the time, I was still a communications major, and it bugged me that I didn’t have the answer, in spite of having struggled with the similar questions for 4 years. I don’t think it comes from becoming as glitzy/glamorous as the “Hollywood elite.” It’s not by producing glitzier awards shows with Christian values. It’s not mirroring the world “out there” and baptizing whatever is cool or new or popular with a few catch-phrases and a smile. I am becoming so turned off by things that are fake. I’m sure others in my age group feel the same way. We need something authentic.
“How do you communicate Truth to a Titanic culture?”
I don’t know yet. I think some of it has to do with learning and being observant. Don’t watch VH1 (or Titanicto learn what’s the latest trend in style or music. Perhaps we should watch it to learn how they communicate. Learn from them because they have obviously hit some type of chord with society.
More importantly, it comes down to an authentic belief in the Incarnation. The Creator of the Universe humbled Himself enough to take on flesh and become a human being. When He ascended after the resurrection, He said, “Go and make disciples.” We have to continue to serve as His flesh – His hands and feet and tongue and ears and heart – while we anticipate His return. Thank God for His presence as the Holy Spirit! Without Him, such a task as being another incarnation would be impossible. Fortunately, God is able to do much more than we ask – more than we can possibly imagine! To Him be glory in the church and in Christ forevermore!
Amen! Let it be, Lord! Amen! Make me a light in this world that is so desperately searching in the darkness! Open my ears and my heart that I may be able to communicate Your loving grace and unending compassion in a way that breathes new life to a generation that is lost and searching for spiritual Truth!
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