A report was released last week about the use of Christian media in the lives of Protestant laity and clergy. The numbers surprised me:
LAITY:
- 78 percent listen to Christian music.
- 64 percent watch Christian television.
- 64 percent visit Christian websites.
- 64 percent listen to Christian radio.
- 60 percent read Christian non-fiction books.
- 55 percent watch Christian movies.
- 47 percent read Christian fiction books.
- 44 percent read Christian magazines.
CLERGY:
- 94 percent listen to Christian music.
- 92 percent read Christian non-fiction books.
- 87 percent read Christian magazines.
- 84 percent listen to Christian radio.
- 83 percent visit Christian websites.
- 77 percent watch Christian television.
- 76 percent watch Christian movies.
- 53 percent read Christian fiction books.
That’s much higher than I would of guessed.
Although the significant finding is that the prominence of Christian media – especially in the life of laypeople – is not all that prominent:
Yet for each type of media, the average proportion dedicated to Christian options is less than half –- usually much less than half. The proportion of media use that is specifically Christian ranged from a high of 42 percent for music (meaning on average, 42 percent of all music Protestant churchgoers listen to is Christian) to a low of 17 percent for movies.
Do you see all this as good news or bad news?
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July 3, 2006 at 17:07
Good news? It says that our Christian music is far better than our Christian movies. We need more End of Spear, Narnia and The Passion to change even our own ranks. The bad news is that we have a defined “Christian” subculture that is out of touch with mainstream America and we may understand our unsaved neighbors less than we think we do—we don’t want to leave them “left behind” do we? My fear is we would rather live in our ghetto.
July 3, 2006 at 20:48
I wonder what the polling agency used for a definition of “Christian” in this study… I can’t find it anywhere.
July 4, 2006 at 07:50
I am not at all surprised by the findings. The biggest one for me is christian music. I still listen to a lot of secular “clean ” rock over christian music. I just feel it is a personal preference. God gave everyone a gift, and they use that gift in the world of the arts and if they are christian than it can be a ministry if not than it can still be enjoyed by all, christian or not. But I think if we as christians just participate in christian media than I think we are polarizing ourselves away from the rest of society.
July 4, 2006 at 07:56
It’s just news. I’m actually disappointed that Clergy do even more to insulate themselves in the Christian ghetto than laity. Though, why on earth isn’t the “Christian non-fiction” 100% for clergy? I mean, huh?
July 5, 2006 at 03:35
I don’t think the figures are terribly significant either way, but your implication seems to be that the figures ought to be higher. I certainly don’t see them as bad news; Christians need to be in the world to make a difference to it. Frankly I would be more concerned by somebody who spent nine tenths of their reading time, say, on Christian material than someone who only spent one tenth. Guidance and inspiration are important, but you’d be frustrated if your football team spent all the time in coaching sessions and none at all on the field
July 5, 2006 at 11:26
Instead of a report on the percentage of those listening/viewing Christian media in the lives of Protestant laity and clergy it would be more interesting to see the percentage of the non-
Christian community listening/viewing Cristian
media. The percentages given are numbers just related to “preaching to the choir”. I’d like to see what impact Christians are really making on non-Christians! Matthew 28:19-20.
July 5, 2006 at 17:48
John S, if you were responding to me, I was actually upset that the clergy were more into the Christian ghetto than the laity – but was surprised that “Christian non-Fiction” wasn’t at 100% because at the very least a Pastor ought to be reading commentaries, and I mean at the LEAST.
The Christian ghetto, just for the record, is a REALLY bad idea…
July 6, 2006 at 17:02
Dennis makes a great point. I am more interested in how OUR material is being received in the world.
Wezlo and John S, I think your argument is really hard to identify, because according to their description, the highest amount of “christian” media reached was 42%. That means the other 58% of the time they were consuming non-christian media. It would be foolish to claim this study represented a Christian Ghetto by any means.
And so what if it did? What is so wrong with keeping the mind forcused on these things, “whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise.” Many forms of secular media, focus heavily on those things that are of illrepute. Hold on, I know what you are thinking, I too, love things that are well done. I am a particular fan of Classic Rock music, but even of music from 30-40 years ago, it is hard to find songs that do not talk about sex, drugs, and other vile things.
We have become so immune to the discraceful that we fail to embrace the lovely. Sure, many Christian media forms are subpar to their secular counter parts, whether in creativity or in structure. However, that does not mean that the lovely and pure message spoken of in Christian media is not a welcome retreat for the mind. In fact, according to scripture (Phil 4:8) these are the very things we should be focused on.
I could also argue that so many of us struggle with secular forms of media so much, that we would do well to avoid it completely! That does not mean to be completely “ghettocized,” but maybe to limit or control our exposure to the vileness that this world has to offer.
Just adding to the conversation . . .
July 6, 2006 at 18:30
As has been noted, this survey was of Christian media use by Christians – the vast majority of which is targetted at Christians – often because that is the Audience the Christian producers know. What would the Christian Media sound, look and be like if it got to know its non-Christian Audience better, and then produced things for their consumption? – certainly it would be different – and maybe a bit uncomfortable for some in the Christian media ghetto?
July 7, 2006 at 07:19
But, Pastor John, I’m just curious. How are we supposed to reach the world if we are completely unaware of the world? I’m not suggesting that we immerse ourselves in sin so that we can understand it, I just wonder if there isn’t a balance. (I’m not being argumentative, I really want your opinion on this.)
July 12, 2006 at 11:30
April, that is a good question and one that is asked by Christians all the time. Being exclusive is obviously wrong. Not interacting with non-Christians is not right either.
I play guitar and bass and I enjoy classic rock music. A good Jimmy Hendrix song once in a while or even a hard bass line from a Led Zepplin song can bring a smile to my face. I appreciate the art and mastery that these guys have with that instrument.
Here is the problem though, if I listen to their music too often I also have to listen to their lyrics and I hear of the worldly things they sing about. Scripture does not say hang out with and do the things that the world does. It says, “to fill your mind with pure things.”
Can their be a balance? Sure, but it must be hard to find. Most would do better to stay clear. It is the same with drinking alcohol.
I think the christian message can be spread through genuiness as easily as familiarity. People want truth, the real; not fake or phony. Be real and people will be attracted to that. You ask about being “unaware” of the world and it is a good thought. But, I ask, do we encounter the world as the grocery store, at McDonald’s, at school, at work, etc. . .? It doesn’t have to be just through music. I have a Steve Miller band CD in my car, but I sample it along with my other more uplifting music also (you may hear one of his songs on a usps commercial).
Blessings and keep your eye on Him!