One. Just one.
Through my 50+ years in broadcasting, that phrase has been the mantra on how we should communicate through radio. We often talk of radio being an “intimate” medium, meaning that there is a direct relationship from the on-air person to the listener. Long gone are the days when people sat around the radio as a family or as a group, though we sometimes hear of that in some remote regions of our world.
Most often, we are talking to one person...in their car, or on ear buds while jogging, working, or riding mass transit. Even though television may be watched by a group or a family, the best communication takes place when you think the person on TV is talking just to you. It is harder to get that sense of intimacy through television, and there is always that glass screen to provide separation. But in radio, the person you listen to on the air is in your head!
As a young adult, when I considered radio as a vocation, I thought of some of the top radio people I knew. There was one standout DJ (disk jockey, announcer, presenter) in our market named Ron Chapman. From my high school days (yes…a long time ago) up until about 10 years ago, this man commanded the radio market. He was the best. Why? He connected with the listeners…one to one.
When I moved into Christian radio, I began to think about Ron Chapman and his success. First, he was very, very good. He was innovative and creative. There was always a fresh idea on the air, and he was willing to take chances. It made for very good radio. But what I recognized as the real key was the relationship he had with the listeners.
Ron Chapman and I talked on a few occasions. One time I mentioned what I had learned by listening to him through the years. I told him, “You always made me feel like you knew what the street where I lived looked like.” He said, “I’ve never heard it put that way, but, yeah.” What I meant is that he seemed to know my neighborhood. He knew my world. And, I concluded, he knew me.
Ron Chapman didn’t know me. He certainly didn’t say anything personal about me on the radio. But I felt like he knew me. And, therefore, I listened to him…as did many thousands of others for decades.
I think of Jesus and the accounts of His life on earth. Yes, he spoke to the thousands on hillsides and harbors. But His most moving encounters came in one to one engagements with individuals. The Samaritan woman at the well. Peter on the seashore. The blind man Jesus healed. Encounters with individuals. Great examples for us.
Do you want to be a good communicator…in radio, television, or even public speaking? Connect with your listener. Let them know you understand their world. And they will listen to you as friend to friend. That becomes a powerful tool…for your message…and for the Gospel.
Someplace Else in Your Mind
My wife, Judy, is an excellent pianist. Along with teaching others to play, she uses her gift for the Lord, playing at our church, at our local Christian university, and for other ministry opportunities.
Recently, we were talking about something we recognize that is critical in what we both do...music and media.
Keep your focus.
Judy says she must stay “in the moment” ...not get ahead of herself in the music, or think of mistakes in the past. In the media realm, I often told our on-air radio staff that the most important moment of their air shift was the next moment.
That is good advice as we do the task God has called us to do. Stay focused.
But there is a balance.
There was a time in Jesus’ ministry when the disciples wanted Jesus to stay right where they were. To focus on that one place. Makes sense. They were seeing great success and favor. It was comfortable. But the Lord had a different idea...a different urging.
[blockquote author="Luke 4:43 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]But he [Jesus] replied, 'I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.c[/blockquote]
Today, there are other paces that need the Gospel, the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Other places that need the hope that only Christ can bring.
The Apostle Paul understood that in his life and ministry. He asked the believers in Thessalonica to pray for him and the spread of the Gospel.
[blockquote author="II Thessalonians 3:1 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]...dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.[/blockquote]
So, yes, focus on the job at hand. Stay in the moment. Don’t let past mistakes or future concerns distract you. But be open to God’s urging...His calling...to take the message of hope, found only in Jesus Christ, to the other cities also. Remember...someone brought the Gospel to you.
Are you an influencer?
At the MEDIAlliance Summit a few months ago, Dr. O. S. Hawkins talked to the global media leaders about being a VIP...a very influential person. We learned that all of us have an opportunity to influence others. But how do we do that?
John Maxwell writes in the Maxwell Leadership Bible about influence, using the life of Samuel as an example and pattern for us. It’s based on an account of Samuel’s leadership found in 1 Samuel 7:1-17. Maxwell points out three characteristics in the prophet Samuel’s life, and shows how Samuel effectively influenced people for the Lord.
Here are the traits:
1. Competence – Samuel listened for God’s voice. Of course, this he learned at a very early age as he served Eli in the temple. Because of this relationship with the Lord, he could discern the future, and wisely knew what the people should do. The people saw this and listened to the prophet.
2. Character – Unlike his predecessor Eli, Samuel exhibited great integrity and honesty in every area of his life. They considered Samuel utterly trustworthy, and knew he had the people’s interest in mind. They depended on him to intercede for them before God.
3. Connection – Samuel knew how to connect with the people. He spoke their language. He showed compassion for their situation. And he brought courage to them and told them what the Lord would have them do.
Maxwell sees this as a formula, a pattern that works today as it did those thousands of years ago.
Competence + Character + Connection = Influence
You are a leader. There are those who look to you for decisions and for direction, both professionally and personally. You have an opportunity to influence these people in the ways of the Lord, so that they might follow His will and lead lives of satisfaction and joy.
Competence. Character. Connection. God has given you all you need to be His agent...His ambassador...His influencer.
[blockquote author="Psalm 112:1, 9b NLT" link="" target="_blank"]
How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands....
... Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor.
[/blockquote]
Who is MEDIAlliance
MEDIAlliance
is a global nonprofit organization helping evangelical Christian broadcasters. Our clients are nationals who have established Christian stations in their native ountries. The scope of our work comprises five areas.
1. Programming: MEDIAlliance provides connections to doctrinally-sound evangelical program resources. The goal is to provide solid Bible teaching by radio, television, and other media in under served areas of the world.
2.Technology: MEDIAlliance provides technical strategies for stations needing to improve their efforts. This may include improvements in studio systems to raise the standard of commercial broadcast excellence, or transmission systems, with assistance in procuring equipment for increasing a station's signal strength...and more.
3. Mentoring: MEDIAlliance dialogues with its client broadcasters on topics such as how to develop involvement strategies to engage listeners in the communities they serve and...most importantly...how to connect new Christians with a local church. When listeners take "ownership" and tell friends, the Gospel takes hold and grows.
4. Training: MEDIAlliance provides training for broadcasters, both individually and in extensive seminars, on localities conentient to them.
5. Networking: MEDIAlliance training events bring entrepreneurial Christian broadcasters together, where they form friendships, share ideas, and begin networking together.
Questions...to ask myself!
I recently saw a list of questions that leaders should be asking themselves in order to be more effective. There were some obvious ones, like, “What do I want to accomplish today?”
But there were some others that should be among those questions we ask ourselves in the leadership role God has for us. Here is my take on a few of them:
1. What can I hand over? You can’t do everything, so you need to decide what you can pass on to someone else. That may need to be asked every day, or at least every week.
2. Are my values evident in my leadership? We want our values to mean something, both to us and to those around us. Are we passing them on in the way we lead?
3. Am I doing my best? Simple evaluation. If the answer is no, then the next questions should be, “Why not?”
4. Who succeeded today? Everyone benefits when someone on your team succeeds. That should cause us to want to celebrate the successes and praise those who hit the marks and even exceed the goals.
5. What are my sticking points? What are the things that get in my way in succeeding and in leadership?
6. How did I treat people today? Some leaders think an abrasive style of leadership is good. Your team probably doesn’t feel that way. Remember the Golden Rule.
7. Am I enjoying this? Not every day is a barrel of laughs. But there should be a sense of satisfaction in what is being accomplished. Constant frustration is not a good sign.
8. What did I do today that will matter in the future? That’s a heavy one that may require some deep thought.
To this good list, put together by Bryan Mohr of Y Scouts, I would add another one.
Did I please the Lord Jesus in all my actions, words, and thoughts?
[blockquote author="Romans 14:17-18 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.[/blockquote]
[blockquote author="Philippians 2:13 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.[/blockquote]
Are you worth your salary
To say the least, I was shocked! I was in my late 20’s and had just begun as Minister of Music at my home church. It was a large one by that day’s standards, and I was already feeling a bit inadequate. I knew I lacked all the experience needed to lead the large music program of the church.
That’s when the pastor’s wife pulled me aside and shocked me with these words. “Any staff member worth his ‘salt’ will earn his salary by the new people he draws to the church.” I was speechless. I had no clever comment. Nothing. But I sure thought about her words. And I have thought about them for years after that encounter. And I came to a conclusion.
She was absolutely right!
Through the years, I’ve interviewed many folks for ministry. Some have told me, “I don’t want to raise my own salary with fundraising.” I usually respond with a variation of what I was told those many years ago. You see, everyone should realize that what they do relates directly with what they make. In essence, they are “raising” their own salary. The impact of their work makes a difference for good or for bad for the ministry, organization, or company.
And that’s true whether it's a non-profit or a for-profit.
The bookkeeper should earn their salary by the quality of the job they do. The same is true for the graphic artist, the editor, the janitor, or the managing director. The organization should benefit financially by what you do. The head of the ministry or the CEO of a business should raise their own salary by how they do their job.
Yes, there are times we may struggle financially. It’s a good time to make sure we are doing all we should do, and that we are doing it with the right spirit and heart. There are also times we are blessed financially with abundance. We should, with grateful hearts, show our thanks to God by serving Him with our whole heart.
Remember the words of Jesus:
[blockquote author="Matthew 5:16 NASB" link="" target="_blank"]Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.[/blockquote]
Are you raising your salary? Are you a workman (or workwoman) worthy of your hire?
My failure...God's love
A verse in my morning Bible reading started me down an interesting path,
one that had several high hills and deep valleys. While reading in the book written by John the Apostle, here is what caught my attention and my heart:
[blockquote author="John 12:43 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]
For they loved human praise
more than the praise of God.
[/blockquote]
John was writing about some of the Jewish leaders who secretly believed in Jesus, but would not admit it publically. While it is easy to quickly criticize those Jews for not identifying with our Lord, my mind immediately went to my own life and actions.
To my discredit, there are times when I have not let others know of my love for Jesus. No, you can’t stop every person you see and let them know. But in the course of my daily activities, I must admit I have sometimes failed to give praise to the Lord Jesus when I could and when I should.
But God.
But God in His grace and mercy allows me to grow into the individual he designed me and desires for me to be. The Old Testament is full of the story of God’s chosen people rejecting Him. Yet when they repented and desired to praise and serve the Lord, He accepted them back and blessed them.
What love.
What love the Father bestows on us. What grace he shows in our lives. What patience he exhibits as we fail to serve Him with our whole heart. What great love.
Do you remember the hymn about God’s love? The story is told that one of the verses in the hymn was found scratched on the wall of a Jewish insane asylum. Somehow the love of God had penetrated the twisted mind of a person, and they could not keep from acknowledging the Lord’s amazing love. That final verse of “The Love of God” is a canticle of praise to a loving Lord.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
May we strive to live in a way that shows we desire the praise of God over the praise of men...every day.
How do you manage yourself?
Do you consider yourself a manager? An executive? We often times find ourselves managing businesses, ministries, and, mostly, other people. But what about managing yourself?
The name Peter Drucker is synonymous with management. He was an expert who wrote the classic book, The Effective Executive. Drucker says,
[blockquote author="Peter Drucker" link="" target="_blank"]…executives who do not manage themselves for effectiveness cannot possibly expect to manage their associates and subordinates.[/blockquote]
He writes that effectiveness is the key. Intelligence, knowledge, and imagination, are important. But it is effectiveness that converts them into results.
The good news? Effectiveness can be learned. Drucker lays out five practices, habits of the mind, that have to be acquired for a leader to be an effective executive. Here is a synopsis of his list.
1. Effective executives know where their time goes. Everyone demands time from the executive, so it is essential that the leader bring his time under control.
2. Effective executives focus on outward contributions…gearing their efforts toward results rather than to just work.
3. Effective executives build on strengths…their strengths, the strengths of their superiors, colleagues, and even on the situation.
4. Effective executives concentrate on the few major areas where superior performance will produce outstanding results.
5. Effective executives make effective decisions. Not a lot of quick decisions, but the few, fundamental ones.
(The Effective Executive, Peter F. Drucker, Harper & Row, Publishers, 1966)
Of course, there is much more, but even this brief summary can propel you to a more effective leadership style, and ultimately to a more effective ministry.
[blockquote author="II Timothy 2:15 MSG" link="" target="_blank"]Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.[/blockquote]
Worth the Whole World
Over the past few weeks I have tried to write this newsletter, without results. It wasn’t for a lack of need for prayer for those who serve the Lord through Christian media. Call it writer's block, busyness, the urgent pushing out the important. It’s probably a little bit of all that.
There is another factor, too. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the pain, hurt, and need in our world. Whether it is bombings in the Middle East, fighting along the Ukraine-Russia border, or the pain of sickness and death here in our land. I, like many others, begin to long for that day when the wrong will be set right, the sickness will be healed, and the tears wiped away.
And then Easter comes.
Understanding the dramatic changes Jesus went through, from accolades on Palm Sunday, to betrayal by one of His disciples, to the rejection of many of His followers. Of course...His scourging, humiliation, and crucifixion on the Roman cross. Yet, all that was wiped away by his resurrection from the grave. Death conquered. Sin defeated. Hope established for all who put their trust in the Savior. Hope. Assurance. No matter what happens in this life. We have His hope for eternal life with Christ, with God. Good News!
My friend Nik Ripken shared a post on Facebook recently about a young lady who has terminal cancer. It is an amazing account of assurance in the midst of uncertainty. Upon hearing of the terminal nature of her disease, this young Christian lady said:
I continually pray, maybe even harder now, with as much hope that I can in my feeble human brain muster that the same God that raised Jesus from the dead, kept King Hezekiah from death, who redeemed Job from his trials, who redeemed Israel from the slavery of Egypt, and the One who sent His son to walk in our human flesh and perform many works and miracles, can work in my body and put an end to this leukemia and prolong my life.
But, even if He does not, and that is not part of His plan, He is good and He remains more than faithful and true. Only in Him can I find comfort as I wrestle with the unknown, the hardships to come, and find peace in what His will may be. The Lord has blessed me immeasurably through this cancer journey.
Amazing faith.
I also recently received a message from a young lady I met in Ukraine a few years ago. We originally talked about her potential career as a journalist. But last year, she told me God was leading her in another direction. With great excitement and joy, Eugenia told me the Lord was leading her to go near the front line of the conflict in Ukraine to minister to the people there. Some of the places where she is serving have been shelled. She has faced hardship, danger, and even the death of her father while there. Yet, her joy remains. In her message to me, Eugenia writes:
[blockquote author="Eugenia from Ukraine" link="" target="_blank"]Life here is not easy and especially dangerous for a Ukrainian journalist, even a former one. But I believe that this is God's will for me at this time. By my own will, I would never have come back here. My life is in His hands and I trust Him...
My goal is to bring the gospel to people. Here, very many have lost hope and are particularly in need of the faith and love of Christ. Therefore, there is a need for ministers. Most pastors and ministers left this region a long time ago, but praise God not everyone. There are those who have remained faithful, who have made the decision to be with God’s people and serve until the end. Such people inspire me....
I go where my Lord leads me. He is my Love, my Beloved, He is my whole life. The knowledge of His depths and His will is worth any price, it’s worth the whole world.[/blockquote]
Worth the whole world.
Do you get the picture? Are you seeing what God is showing me? There is nothing more important than knowing Jesus, loving Him, and following His will...even if it means hardship, pain, yes...even death.
In Nik Ripken’s post, he reminded me that God doesn’t waste anything, even the pain and hardship in our lives, if we give these things...everything...to Him. I’m working at it. I have a long way to go. But I am inspired by these ahead of me on this journey.
Prayer Needs and Ministry Opportunities
National Religious Broadcasters
The 2017 NRB Convention in Orlando, Florida, gave MEDIAlliance the opportunity to connect with many of our international friends and ministry partners. We welcomed some 30 guests to our small suite during the convention, and visited with many more at the conference. We were especially moved by the presentation brought by Rita El Mounayer of SAT-7, a Christian television ministry that reaches the Middle East and North Africa. The topic, "Is There Hope for the Middle East," was answered in the speech with a resounding "yes!" We are blessed each time we have the opportunity to fellowship with these great servants of Christ who have such a heart for their people and the Gospel.
Albania
I am excited for two broadcast ministries in Albania. Radio 7, based in Tirana, will mark their 15th anniversary in May, and I will have the privilege of being there with them to celebrate and honor the faithfulness and goodness of our Lord. Radio 7 continues to grow in reach and impact. Their five radio stations in Albania and two stations in Kosovo reach most of these two countries with God’s Good News. In addition, they have been placing Christian television programs on secular stations for several years. Now they have begun programming their own Christian TV channel. Their faithfulness is being rewarded as the Lord enlarges their opportunities to take His message of hope to the people of these countries.
Radio Emanuel, in Korce in the central part of Albania, has programming that reaches into Macedonia and Greece. For many years, they have produced programs in those languages as well as Albanian in order to reach as many as possible in their area of influence. They have done this in facilities that have been very small, very humble. Now, by God’s grace, Radio Emanuel will be moving into a new broadcast center very soon. Judy and I will have the joy of being in Korce for the dedication of this beautiful new building that will house ministry offices and adequate studios to produce the various local programs done in the different languages of the region. Again, a faithful ministry, rewarded by the Lord for increased service.
Pray for both of these ministries. At times, there is pressure from the government and from the mostly Muslim culture. Yet they remain strong and at the task of telling their world about the saving hope found in Jesus Christ.
Ukraine
Our recent media training conference in Kyiv was a great blessing. We had the largest attendance in the three years MEDIAlliance has assisted Novomedia with this media training.
Over 170 people registered from four countries. Many from outside Kyiv drove or came by train, often traveling eight or more hours to be at the conference. God is blessing us with great friends who desire to be more and more effective in sharing the Gospel with people who need His hope.
In addition, we have had outstanding instructors who invest of themselves in the lives of those attending. In the picture are Gary Longenecker, Lee Ann Jackson, myself, Bernie McPartland, and John McKinnon.
Our thanks to Ruslan Kukharchuk and his team at Novomedia. Please pray for them as they continue to build up the influence of Christian media in Ukraine, and bring the Lord’s Truth to the people of that land.
Last year at our training conference we learned that the government had granted nine more radio licenses for Christian broadcasting in Ukraine. Most of those stations are now on the air. Pray for the financial and programming needs of these ministries.
This year, we learned of the strong possibility of a new television channel that covers virtually all of Ukraine. The current owners want to sell, and it looks like a strong Christian ministry will be able to take over the channel. It is now reaching out through 400 cable channels and by satellite. There are lots of needs for this to become a reality. Pray for the financial needs and the wisdom needed to program the station in a way that attracts viewers and presents the hope of Christ to all who watch.
India
For the seventh year, MEDIAlliance will be assisting our friends in India with media training, September 27-29. This year, the conference returns to New Delhi, and it is anticipated that close to 500 will attend the media training and general sessions. This has grown into a major event in the India evangelical world, and is helping to prepare media professionals and ministry leaders to use all the media tools available today for God’s purpose and His glory.
Be in prayer for the Indian Christian Media Association and their leadership team, along with the many partners who will take part in this amazing gathering.
International Media Leadership Summit
In October, MEDIAlliance will again bring over 40 Christian media leaders from all over the world to Dallas to a media summit designed to encourage, refresh, enrich, and enable these leaders to better proclaim the Gospel in their cultures and countries. This ministry, through generous donors, will cover the costs of the event, and our friends at Dallas Baptist University will again host the sessions. Pray for the right people to commit to come, and that those who need visas from the US government will not have a barrier to attending.
We are currently seeking the needed funding for the Summit and other MEDIAlliance ministry work. Pray for donors to partner with us in this work, and to meet the needs of MEDIAlliance in the various training events this year.
Finally...
Someone asked me the other day if MEDIAlliance was a “consultant” to those in Christian media around the world. In a sense, we are. But, realistically, I never think of it that way. First, it sounds like a business, that we get paid by the ministries to come in and train them and help them in their media work. MEDIAlliance actually takes on the “business plan” of the Apostle Paul. In his letters to the people he served, he often mentioned that he was not a “burden” to them, but provided for his own needs while he was with them.
God has led us to do that as well. With gracious friends and donors, we are able to help contribute to the costs of the events we help with, often covering the expenses of the venues where the events are held. Our instructors pay for their own transportation, and MEDIAlliance takes care of their housing and meals while serving and teaching. Over these years, it has been our joy to serve this way.
However, we can only do this as God’s people respond to His prompting to give to MEDIAlliance International for this work. If He speaks to you, I hope you will respond. Our website is set up to securely receive credit card donations, and has information on other ways to respond.
You can find out more information by clicking HERE.
Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, your interest, and your support. The Lord is at work. And it is worth the whole world to serve Him.
Questioning Your Staff...a Good thing
My friend Bob Tiede likes to raise questions. Lots of questions. I have quoted him before from his blog and ministry called, Leading with Questions.
In a recent post, Bob posed some questions from Art Rainer, a Vice President at a Baptist seminary. These are excellent questions for all who lead a team of any size.
1. Did I point my team toward the larger vision?
It is the vision that motivates, not the list of tasks that need completing. Team members need to be reminded of the vision, the reason why they push for excellence in their work. Talk about the “why” and you will find more energy and excitement as team members flesh out the “how.”
2. Did I challenge my team to do more than they thought possible?
One of the great joys of leadership is to help team members realize their full potential. Create space for risk-taking. Create space for failures. Appropriately challenge them to be who you know they can be.
3. Did I appropriately critique when needed?
There is a right and wrong way to critique. While many leaders do not enjoy this aspect of their work, it is necessary. To allow errors or actions that hinder the overall team’s success to exist is a mistake. It is a disservice to the individual and to the team.
4. Did I celebrate my team’s successes?
Publicly and privately, recognize when successes occur on your team. Give you leaders room to celebrate with their team members. Try to create an environment where the team feels appreciated for their hard work.
You have a unique role as a leader of your organization. Inspire. Challenge. Critique. Celebrate.
Let me add one more question. Did you thank God for His faithfulness, His vision, His insight, His inspiration? Remember the verse:
[blockquote author="James 1:17 NKJV" link="" target="_blank"]Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.[/blockquote]
No question about it! That is something for which to be grateful.