Three of the largest, and oldest, Christian radio organizations in the world are adapting to an accelerating pace of technological change and exploring ways to connect to the next generation.
The CEO’s of Far East Broadcasting Company, HCJB Global and Trans World Radio (TWR) shared their experiences and ideas for the future at the Lausanne Global Consultation on the Gospel and Media in Los Angeles, CA, last November.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of these organizations is the expertise and years of experience in all things technology: Mediumwave or high-powered AM, Shortwave transmitters, Local FM radio stations, Cable, Satellite, Internet, and Mobile device technologies.
While radio continues to be dominant, there was a consensus among this group of leaders that their biggest challenge was having the agility to move from one technology generation to the next.
Here are 5 reflections from the talk that I found most beneficial.
1. Dream big. There are 7.2 billion people on earth. Who has God called you to reach? He created technology and it should be harnessed for His purposes, whatever the cost. The resources are there. Is your faith big enough?
2. Know your audience. Preach the gospel, but make it relevant. Create and aggregate content into genre specific channels that speak the language of the target group, in the U.S., Africa, or wherever.
3. Partner with local churches. Radio stations have always been fabulous at establishing relationships with local people, passionate about helping the cause. This same strategy can be applied to new media efforts.
4. Combine technologies. Standalone media is dead. Today, media is integrated, cross-platform, and interactive. Radio and digital work particularly well together. Use traditional media platforms to build digital audience. It takes time, effort and strategy. There’s no magic button.
5. Train young leaders. Recruit and retain top talent with a cause for doing good. Make it their job to reach their peers with the Good News. Put the tools in their hands and get out of the way.
Imagine, if in the not too distant future, there was a single organization with many members committed to making it easier to pull together audio, video, and text into one digital platform that every member could use to reach their target.
Imagine that organization, barriers eliminated, in the hands of the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals committed to being the generation that reaches the last person for Jesus.
That’s a big dream.
(A video link is provided so you can watch the panel discussion at the Lausanne Global Consultation, courtesy of CLATV.)
"New Media is the future to help us connect with the next generation.” HCJB CEO Wayne Pederson, See ON CLATV http://t.co/JeRzl2dONA
— CLALeader (@CLALeader) October 3, 2014