I love pulling one of my old media books from many decades ago to see how the information relates to today’s tools and technology. To be honest, it doesn’t always hold up. Equipment has changed so much, and the way production work is done is dramatically different. Yet, some truths remain. In the opening pages of a classic academic book, Television Production by Alan Wurtzel, the author verbalizes the truth that still holds today.

“In order to communicate effectively in any medium, it is essential to first understand the capabilities and limitations of both the medium and its tools and techniques.”

Wurtzel adds that all of that is a part of the critical process “… to produce programming which will communicate messages and ideas to the viewing audience.”

For those of us in the media realm, we cannot overlook the potential and the limitations that our tools afford us. As new technologies evolve…which seems to happen weekly if not daily…we may need to evaluate those tools again and again.

  • What are the limitations?
  • Can we get around such limitations?
  • What can we do with what we have today?
  • How can we stretch our potential?

I’ve always seen the limitations in media work as a challenge. Before TV broadcasting had stereo capabilities, I led our church media teams to use local FM radio stations to carry the stereo audio of the church’s televised musical specials, a simulcast. Voilà. Stereo television! This not only overcame technical limitations, it also provided a unique experience for those who viewed the program.

Working in Christian media gives us an advantage the secular media world does not have. We do what we do to honor and bring glory to our Lord. And He has assured us our imagination is not big enough for what the Lord wants to accomplish through us. That is a promise from Almighty God.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Eugene Peterson in The Message, his paraphrase of the Bible, says, “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”

Alan Wurtzel talked about communicating messages and ideas to the audience. God’s purpose takes that much further. We are not just taking a message or an idea to the audience. We have the privilege of taking God’s most powerful message and sharing it in unique and effective ways with the audience. And it isn’t just to be entertained or enlightened. Our use of today’s media tools is to see God make an eternal difference for all who hear and accept His Son, Jesus, as their Lord.

Yes, know your tools, their limitations, and their potential. And be sure their potential includes all God wants to accomplish through you and what He has put in your hands. Remember, Moses only had a stick, a shepherd’s rod. God did far more with it than anyone ever imagined.

What does the Lord want to do through you?

God’s best,