Suffering in Media Ministry

I recently posted links to a series of articles by Anthony Coppedge on dealing with burnout which were excellent. I now want to explore a contributor to burnout and that is unfortunately sometimes your church family or a team member or two. We who have been called to be ministers in media and technology understand the importance of striving for excellence to enable us do things right the first time and we do that with prayer, planning, preparation and practice. Many times we do not understand why everyone else can’t see the importance of those steps or for that matter the importance of the ministry in which you have been called altogether. This can be a real, huge source of frustration and anger.

I’ve been asking myself over the last several weeks why are people content with mediocrity in media and technology when it comes to ministry? Of course immediately Philippians 4:11 popped into my head.

Philippians 4:11 (RSV) 11Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.

I realize that as soon as I complain or make snide comments then I’m not content. This verse though is speaking of our physical needs in which God will provide. What I’m talking about is settling for less. I know many of us as Christians settle to just be saved. We don’t do anything that may require us to take a stand or maybe to suffer for Christ. We want the easy way. Well, Jesus doesn’t want us to settle. He said the way is hard. He wants us to be on fire for Him and His church.

Matthew 7:14 (ESV) 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Hebrews 2:2 - 3 (NLT) 2The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience. 3What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on£ to us by those who heard him speak, (emphasis mine)

Revelation 3:15 - 19 (NLT) 15“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! 16But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18I advise you to buy gold from
me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.

There are many that actually believe that it is good enough to do a little here and a little there for the church. Jesus Christ gave His everything for us and we should strive to give our very best for Him. When it comes to using media in our worship services “good enough” just won’t cut it. "Be diligent and turn from your indifference." If there are resources available in your church to do a much better media presentation than what you have on your computer at home then USE those resources. If there are resources available to improve your outreach into the community through media and technology then USE them. We need to stop being indifferent to the One in which we place our faith and hope in our daily lives and we need to stop being indifferent in how we present the gospel through media to our church family and our community.

Now to those of you that minister through media as your calling, using media and technology is more than an awesome multimedia presentation and cool gear it is about presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Timothy 2:15 (NLT) 15Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

We must be diligent to use media just as the worship leader uses music and the pastor uses his sermon to “correctly explain the word of truth”. We facilitate the presenting of the word of truth through our systems. The word media is derived from the word medium which, I know, conjures up negative connotations. So do the words entertainment, performance and production as well but I won’t go into that right now. When you look at the definition of medium it helps explain the tool in which we have been called to use. Same goes for those other words by the way. Medium is defined as:

1. Something, such as an intermediate course of action, that occupies a position or represents a condition midway between extremes.


2. An intervening substance through which something else is transmitted or carried on.


3. An agency by which something is accomplished, conveyed, or transferred.

Our course of action is facilitating a worship service. The intervening substance is our systems and team. We use media (audio, video, lighting, publications, and website) to accomplish sharing the truth of Jesus Christ. We use media to convey the heart of the worship leader to the congregation. We use media to transfer the spoken and written word to the people that need to hear that word. As you can see our calling is not to be taken lightly or with indifference.

I have been suffering lately with illness and in my time away I guess I started into a little self-pity because I was not there at the church to be involved in the ministry that I love so much. Moreover I have been noticing the contentment with mediocrity for quite some time from those that do not understand our ministry and also from some of those that are actually involved in media ministry. I want to challenge you to take a stand for what God has called you to do. Do you really think that God would call you to a ministry if He would not provide you the means to carry out His plan? I want to encourage you that you are not in this alone. I’m going through this right now! The reason I’m writing this post is because God led me right to His Word this morning to encourage me and He will do the same for you. Let me share what the Lord had for me this very day.

Colossians 1:24 - 29 (TLB) 24But part of my work is to suffer for you; and I am glad, for I am helping to finish up the remainder of Christ’s sufferings for his body, the Church. 25God has sent me to help his Church and to tell his secret plan to you Gentiles. 26-27He has kept this secret for centuries and generations past, but now at last it has pleased him to tell it to those who love him and live for him, and the riches and glory of his plan are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ in your hearts is your only hope of glory. 26-27He has kept this secret for centuries and generations past, but now at last it has pleased him to tell it to those who love him and live for him, and the riches and glory of his plan are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ in your hearts is your
only hope of glory. 28So everywhere we go we talk about Christ to all who will listen, warning them and teaching them as well as
we know how. We want to be able to present each one to God, perfect because of what Christ has done for each of them. 29This is my work, and I can do it only because Christ’s mighty energy is at work within me. (emphasis mine)

Isn’t that awesome? Christ’s power is at work in me and in you. Let me also clarify that this suffering in ministry may pale in comparison to the suffering we may endure in our daily lives as we take our stand for Christ but if members of our church family are allowing themselves to be used to the detriment of God’s will for the church then the suffering can be even greater.

Colossians 3:12 - 13 (TLB) 12Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don’t worry about making a good impression on them, but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. 13Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Pray for me as I pray for you that we may consider our hardships in media ministry part of suffering for the Church as Christ has suffered.

Pray that we may be workers approved of God.

Pray that we may be able to educate others about our calling and minister to our church family in a way that is pleasing to God and works to the unity of the body of Christ. We need to also seek to understand everyone else’s calling and gifts and how we must work together as one body. I believe the problem most of the time is that we do not communicate with each other. Seek out what you need to know to effectively minister from the staff of your church and from your own media ministry team members. Team members, you need to let your leadership know what your concerns and ideas are for the ministry as well. There is an acronym for team.

Together Everyone Achieve More.

All concerns, ideas and application should not necessarily come from leadership. It should be a consensus of the team.

Ephesians 4:1 - 7 (TLB) 1I beg you—I, a prisoner here in jail for serving the Lord—to live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these. 2Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace with one another.
4We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all, and living through every part of us. 7However, Christ has given each of us special abilities—whatever he wants us to have out of his rich storehouse of gifts.

I hope that this post has spoken to you as the Lord has spoken to me this morning and now into the afternoon. It is always great when the Lord gives you a clear understanding of His word for application in your life. When that happens it is best to share because I know that He has this word for someone else out there today too.

I stated earlier that we are all in this together so if you ever have anything you like to share the comment section is available as is also my e-mail if you would prefer that method. I’m a firm believer in helping each other as much as we possibly can. I probably need help more from others than I can give but I offer anyway.

Romans 8:16 - 18 (TLB) 16For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children. 17And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 18Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.

AMEN!