Faith, Media, and the Power of Change

As 2009 begins, there are five areas that have been significant stumbling blocks to the Christian community’s ability to impact the culture.  In today’s media-driven world, perception matters, and regardless of your theological persuasion, it’s time to realize that some of our efforts – even well intentioned efforts – can have damaging consequences.  From that perspective, this week I want to discuss a five statements that I’d like you to think about and then give me your response.  For the next 5 days, I’ll toss out some controversial topics and see if you agree if these are issues we need to confront. Here's number one: ... read more

Have you linked to “The Change Revolution” blog?  If you have a blog or website, add us as a link.  We need to expand the global conversation about faith, media, and culture, and by adding our link to your site, it will help spread the word.  You can also use our handy RSS feed as well.  And don’t forget to start the New Year off right by adding “Branding Faith” to your reading list.  The message of the book is really picking up momentum as more and more people of faith want to get their message heard in this media-driven culture.   And make a positive difference for your pastor, youth leader, or other ministry and non-profit leaders you know, by purchasing them an extra copy as a gift.  There are few ways you could make a more positive impact on your local church or non-profit. ... read more

Many thanks to "Choose the Cross" website in Australia for naming "Branding Faith" their book of the year! ... read more

For anyone looking for a new job in this challenging economy, let me toss out a few ideas you might not have thought much about: ... read more

Conventional wisdom says the majority of religious TV viewers are 55 and older, so chances are – many of them are watching over the air broadcasting rather than through cable or satellite.   That’s why it’s essential that your audience, donors, and supporters understand their options regarding the digital transition. Over the last year, the ... read more

Steve MoonReader Steve Moon at Lunamac,Inc, designed two Mac widgets to keep you updated on all the posts on philcooke.com. The first is a "News Feed" widget to keep you updated on stories I'm posting throughout the day. The second is a "Video Podcast" widget to update you on the latest Change Revolution podcast. Check them out (it's one more reason to make the switch from PC). You'll find it at the bottom of the right hand column. Just scroll to the bottom of this page - and many thanks to Mac maven Steve Moon. ... read more

Here's a great reminder for 2009. ... read more

We’ll be finding that as the economy worsens, more boundaries will be falling away from online advertising.  We’ll be seeing banners get larger, more pre-roll ads before video clips, and more spyware.  That’s the downsize of a bad market.  The pressure builds, and the intrusiveness of the web expands.   Ad restrictions will be tossed aside in order to have more impact.  In the process, I predict that ... read more

According to a new study by Duke University, religious congregations in the United States are growing significantly more diverse.  So the critics that used to harp that  “Church is the most segregated hour in America” need to find something else to complain about.   The study also suggests that the larger the church, the more diverse it will usually be.  Immigration has had something to do with it, but ... read more

The Associated Press reports that former pastor Ted Haggard is out promoting a new HBO documentary about his rise and fall.  He'll appear at a press tour in January to pump the new doc "The Trials of Ted Haggard."  The film is directed by Alexandra Pelosi (daughter of Nancy Pelosi and producer of an earlier and controversial documentary on Christians called "Friends of God.")  The new film is set to air on ... read more

Yesterday, the LA Times reported on Pastor Rick Warren’s Christmas message at Saddleback Church.  I’m sure they covered it in light of the recent controversy over his selection for the official prayer at the Obama Inauguration.  I think his most powerful statement was:  “Who ever came up with the idea that you have to agree with everybody on everything in order to love them?"  That’s a message that’s worth getting out in a huge way.  I would encourage you to blog about it, Twitter it, and share it with as many as possible.  It’s especially important as I read about ... read more

Citing "budget considerations and other logistics," the Walt Disney Studios has pulled out of the 3rd "Chronicles of Narnia" film, breaking the longstanding partnership with Walden Media to finance and distribute what once was one of the most promising properties in their history. In my opinion, this comes at the perfect storm of ... read more

A number of readers have asked for an update, and here's a story from last week's Orange County Register on the split at the Crystal Cathedral. ... read more

WATCH THIS CLIP.  After a recent Penn & Teller show, a man gave Penn Jilette the gift of a Bible.  And if you know Penn, you know he's an ardent atheist.  But Penn's honest reaction is worth hearing.  Thanks to reader Allen Hendrix for sending this in.  I'd love to hear your comments. ... read more

Check to see my random thoughts on any number of things at my new Twitter address. ... read more

While too many American religious programs rely on the A-list of fundraisers for telethon week, have family spats about the "direction" of the ministry, sell "Jesus Junk," or preach shallow theology or prosperity, Coptic Priest Father Zakaria Botros is creating television that takes Islam to the mat head-on.  For his own safety, he shoots in a secret location in the Middle East, and has up to 60 million viewers in the Muslim world.  He is also using ... read more

While I encourage people to investigate all sides of issues and accusations, this is a report from local NBC station WCNC on The Inspirational Network based in Charlotte. ... read more

As I’ve written before, mobile programming is becoming a more and more significant part of our lives.  According to research compiled even years ago, the cell phone is changing the way we live. In fact, some are questioning how we ever got along without them. This is the age of "anywhere, anytime communication." The cell phone first hit the ... read more

Here's a little online project we did for Grace Hill Media in association with the producers of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." While it's a small project, the message is worth considering - especially at Christmas. ... read more

Do Christians spend too much time making a big deal out of things that don’t matter to the greater culture?  If it’s solving issues like human trafficking, global poverty, or abortion, that’s one thing. But I wonder about the effectiveness of raising vast amounts of money for legal issues like the right to pray before a high school football game.  Sure it’s nice, but are we wasting our ammo on something few people really care about?   I thought of that with the recent FCC broadcast obscenity case.  There’s no question that ... read more