DIGITAL MEDIA AND THE GOSPEL
by JIm Wies
In a new report by StateOfTheMedia.org it is reported that digital technology is continuing to shift the entire spectrum of media consumption and compels us to look at new ways to spread the gospel.
News Media Trends
There is more information available today than ever before, contributing to the current momentum toward digitized news media. It is estimated that a weeks worth of the New York Times contains more information than a person was likely to come across in a lifetime in the 18th century. It is estimated that 4 exabytes (4.0x10^19) of unique information will be generated this year alone. That is more than the previous 5,000 years.
Meanwhile, over the last 20 years, the number of daily American newspapers has decreased slowly but steadily. In general, daily circulation of newspapers, which stood at 62.3 million in 1990, fell to 43.4 million in 2010, a decline of 30%. Over the last five years, an average of 15 news papers, or just about 1% of the industry, has vanished each year.
In late 2010, the internet surpassed print newspapers as a source for international and national news, and that gap is growing. Four in ten Americans reported getting “most of their national and international news” from the Internet, according to a December 2011 survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. Less than two in ten respondents said the same for newspapers.
Adding to that, sales of e-readers and tablet computers are growing, with research finding that consumers are actually reading more immersively on these devices than on earlier technology. More than a quarter of the population, 27%, now get news on mobile devices.
Traditional media institutions continue to struggle to find a sustainable model after more than a decade of declining advertising revenues and digital upheaval. Consequently, more news outlets will move to digital subscriptions in 2012 — as a matter of survival. Many newspapers have lost so much of their ad revenue — more than half since 2006 industry-wide — that without an infusion of digital subscription revenue, some may not survive. Perhaps as many as 100 more papers are expected in coming months to join the roughly 150 publications that have already moved to some kind of digital subscription model. A typical plan allows free views of a limited number of articles, so a site retains its traffic from search, links and social media recommendations. Viewers are also asked to pay a monthly rate, for which they get unlimited access.
Social Media Trends
Social Media is not just a fad. It’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate.
Consider these amazing Social Media statistics:
Over 50% of the world’s population is under 30. 97% of Gen Y college students, also known as the Millennial Generation have a computer, and 96% have joined a social media network.
In 2011, social media giant Facebook grew to 133 million active users or 54% of the online U.S. population (out of 850 million monthly active users globally).
50% of the internet traffic in the UK is for Facebook, and it tops Google for weekly traffic in America.
We are now becoming the “connected” generation. These changes are affecting how we relate to one another and how we reach the masses.
Christian Media Trends
Advances in technology, education and digital media are compelling us to rethink our entire approach to communications, publications and spreading the Gospel.
Publishing
The digital era of publishing is affecting the traditional publishing world. While the demand for hard copy published books is alive and well, there is a growing interest in the quick and easy world of E-books.
While the total sales of print media rose in 2010, E-book sales grew that same year by 164.4 percent to 441.3 million dollars, making up the bulk of the 3.6 percent increase of overall print media sales.
With the evolving technology of today, it has become easier than ever to preach or publish the message we carry.
Preaching & Teaching
Religious issues pollster George Barna pointed out that close to 25%, or one in four adults in America, downloaded a church podcast in the past week. (see Barna Update) XPMedia.com is a good example of the excellent resources available on the internet for video teachings and sermons from a wide range of ministries.
Barna found that a significant trend is the access to spiritual content via podcasting, which not surprisingly found a more eager audience among Christians than non-Christians. The study found that 38% of evangelicals and 31% of other born again Christians had listened to a sermon or church teaching via digital recordings available on the Internet (often called a "podcast"). In macro-terms, an enormous audience of roughly 45 million Americans reports going digital to acquire church sermons and teaching content. In all, one out of every four adults - 23% - said they downloaded a church podcast in the past week.
Barna refers to a group of believers he calls “blenders” who look for multiple sources of inspirational input into their lives. More and more sincere Christians are taking this more eclectic approach to feeding their spiritual appetites.
We are now becoming the “digital” generation. This transition is affecting how we relate to one another and how we spread the gospel. With the current advances in digital media and communications, we now have the tools before us for a time of unprecedented gospel outreach.
It is evident to this writer that the church is being handed the very tools it needs to preach the gospel to every nation, tribe and people group; in preparation for a great end-time harvest.
See also by the same author:
Publishing in an Age of Electronic Media
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jim is an editor/project manager for XP Publishing. He also serves in prophetic ministry as an itinerate speaker. His previous experiences include serving as a pastor, author, teacher and itinerant speaker who has spoken at revival meetings, seminars, conferences and churches throughout the USA and Canada, providing training and mentoring on a number of topics including personal prophecy, revelatory gifts, healing seminars, and ministry training.
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