None of us with legacy operations would start the same Christian media businesses or media ministries if we were starting them now.
Digital technology has changed the way every form of media functions.
Communication has been changed forever.
The good news is…God has provided the opportunity for a “do-over.”
We are not talking about the kind of do-over that means what was done before was a mistake.
It most emphatically was not.
Hundreds of millions worldwide have come to true faith in Christ through traditional media.
We are not talking about a “mulligan.”
All the previous efforts will not be stricken from the record. For all those who believed in Christ through media, “He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
And the reward for those who, down through the decades, have been faithful in witnessing for Christ through traditional media is ‘the crown of righteousness.’ (2 Timothy 4:8)
Still, many thought radio and television would make world evangelization possible.
Perhaps they have, similar to John being sent to ‘prepare the way’ for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:2-3). Traditional media workers, who quickly figured out how to leverage technology for the gospel, have created a favorable environment and made it easier for those who will be charged with completing the task.
This do-over is a God-given second chance to complete the Great Commission, using media … digital media.
What would you do differently if given the opportunity to start-over? One thing I would suggest is to work like a startup.
That means:
There is a time to build. Ecclesiastes 3:3
- Work fast and agile.
- Have very few people.
- Use a minimum amount of resources.
- No big shiny offices.
- Everyone shares responsibilities.
- Eliminate silos.
- Share knowledge and collaborate.
- Build off core principles and ideas.
- Test live, at scale, in context, on the Internet.
- Make the smallest things you can create, push it out, and get data back.
Create an entirely new business unit. A new business model. A new revenue center. A new brand. Start prototyping in months, not years. Validate ideas after the prototype is made.
Now is the time for Christians to step-up. Make new things to communicate the gospel. It is time for a “do-over.”