Media and The Mind of Christ

How we see the world precedes what we do

by Skye Jethani

Christian leadership begins not with what we do in the world, but with how we see the world.

Consider the example of Mother Teresa. The tiny Albanian nun had no wealth, no great education, no post of power or authority, and yet popes and presidents listened to her and countless millions were inspired by her devotion to care for the least and the left behind. Where others saw the filthy face of a dying beggar, Mother Teresa saw the face of Christ. Where others saw worthless orphans, she saw the children of God. Where others saw a president, she saw a man like any other in need of the Savior’s love. How Mother Teresa saw the world preceded her impact upon it. Seeing precedes doing.

Without question media is the dominant lens through which we see the world, and for this reason the media also shapes our worldview. According to Gallup, confidence in the media has fallen by 50 percent in the last 17 years to an all time low. Only 25 percent of Americans have confidence in the reporting of newspapers or television. And Pew Center for People and the Press reports that over 80 percent of us believe the media is biased.

[Q Post: How to get better journalism? You might be the key.]

We live in a polarized time. The media is dominated by “right versus left,” “conservative versus liberal,” and “us versus them.” When these are the lenses through which we view the world, it should not surprise us that these polarities also shape our understanding of faith, church, and mission.

What we desperately need is a new vision of reality; we need a third lens through which we can see our world that transcends the polarization of our culture. We need media that can help us see the world through the mind of Christ.

That is the goal of The Third Post (T3P).

In the coming months Christians thought-leaders, ministries, churches, publishers, and educators from around the world will be collaborating to launch a new online resource to help a new generation see the world through the lens of the gospel. The Third Post will aggregate news content from around the internet every day and offer a view of what is happening on the planet from a Christian perspective.

Rather than viewing immigration reform as a conservative or liberal, what does it mean to engage the conversation as a Christian? Where can you here thoughtful insights from multiple Christian points of view?

Why should it matter if Coptic Christians were persecuted and murdered last night in Egypt? How can you help the churches and victims?

Last week 20 sex slaves were liberated by the church in Cambodia. What can you do to help them recover and find wholeness again?

T3P will be more than a blog. It will be a window on the world. It will help us see what Christ’s church is doing today, and aid in the formation of a Christian worldview. It will help us see all things anew.

Along with aggregating news, The Third Post will provide resources from the most trusted Christian content producers. Bible studies related to current events, e-book to help Christians learn more about the things that matter most, and guides for churches and ministries that want to engage more deeply in locally and globally.

Through partner ministries, T3P readers will be able to donate directly to projects around the world that are engaged in reconciling all things to God through Christ. And they will be able to stay up to date on the latest news impacting the regions of the church or focus of ministry they are called to. In other words The Third Post will do more than help shape a Christian worldview, it will help a generation of activists actually engage the world they seek to impact.

And through blog posts from a stable of global thought-leaders, we will be able to engage in dialogue with others Christians to sharpen our own understanding of the world. In this way, The Third Post will be a global rallying point for different streams of the Church to discuss, debate, and imagine the world being reborn through the reconciling work of Christ.

The Third Post will help the first truly global generation of Christians see, imagine, and engage the world.

Q | Third Post from Q Ideas on Vimeo.

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What do you think of this concept? In your opinion, is it really necessary and will it be helpful?
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Editor's Note: The image above is quoted from But Does It Float.

Comments

Tim McGhee

"But for the first time in human history, we have the capacity as the Church to do more than just pray together across the globe."

If prayer is not our best means to "be on mission together," there might be some faulty assumptions at work.

Tim

12,195 days

Blythe Scott

I also think prayer definitely needs to be our #1 means of seeking God together and doing His work together in this world, but it is true that at this point in histroy, God HAS given the Church other means to "be on a mission together." Not that these means come before joining together in prayer for God's work, but now we have means that are in addition to and can help bring us to further action.

I think The Third Post is somethign that is very needed, and a concept that I have been talking about with some people for awhile as well! What are the qualifications for contributing to/writing for The Third Post? I am particularly passionate about engaging the Church on issues of politics, government, and public policy, helping to lead discussion on the role of the Church in these areas. I've actually been having a lot of discussions with people lately about how there should be a "third way" in politics, a way that is based off of the teaching and truths of Christ, and that we as the Church need to stand up and provide that "third way." It is my passion to engage the Church in this topic and help provide thoughts and discussion that could lead the Church to follow the way of Christ in all areas of life, including in our politics, and not let our views be dictated by the society and culture surrounding us. It is my passion to see the Church truly promote the truths of Christ in areas of politics and public policy, changing our culture in the process.

All that to say, I was incredibly encouraged and excited when I read this post! Writing about these issues and providing a source where we can further learn about Christ's truths and how to live them out in our world today is crucial to equip the Church to better reach the world. Please let me know if it is at all possible to contribute to the "The Third Post!"

Blythe

J.Jones

Great!

Let us know how we may assist-

Lens For Christ-Production Company, a division of J & J Image Group Inc.

www.jjimagegroup.com

www.lensforchrist.com

Jim Jewell

More soaring language here than clarity about an enormous undertaking. The greatest challenge is news gathering and news reporting, which take vast resources and personnel, particularly on a global scale. Who will be T3P’s news sources and reporters, and will they have the credentials and character to truly present a third way?

Will T3P be commenting on the news of the day, or only on the news at the intersection of church and culture? Will the blog limit itself to news and commentary on the work of the church around the world—particularly when it is demonstrating reconciliation?

More thought on this at http://therooftopblog.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/the-third-post-fresh-christian-journalism-or-just-a-new-platform/