Spiritual Preparation for Radio Ministry

Producer Resource

Spiritual Preparation for Radio Ministry

Radio is an area of mass communications which combines science and art. It is subject to the laws of the physical universe, but it needs our best creative efforts to have any value. It has physical aspects and psychological aspects. It is about people and transferring ideas and emotions from one to another. It provides news and information. It can entertain us and distract us from our problems.

Christian radio is exactly the same with the spiritual dimension added. But this added dimension changes everything fundamentally. It affects our motives. It guides our creativity. It shifts the emphasis from sharing information or entertaining to communicating the love of God. For Christian broadcasters, it is not enough to inform people about their problems or distract them from their problems. We want to show our listeners effective ways of dealing with their problems.

Here is an outline of a few practical tips which can improve our use of radio as a means of communicating the truth of God to a culture drowning in lies, fear, hate, pleasure, work, music, sports and activities which have no long-term purpose or lasting significance.

As Christians who are media professionals we face many challenges. How are we going to meet them? The Bible gives us a lot of wisdom on this, but I’m not going to preach a sermon. We must learn to communicate truth effectively without sounding like a preacher on Sunday morning. In all of my media communication, the goal is that the truth be biblical, the style personal, and the application specific.

Work on personal integrity

Radio thrives on illusion (character voices and sound effects), so we need to work hard to be sincere.
Radio also thrives on bad news and the ugly side of life, so it takes effort to be righteous.
Radio hides us from our public, so it’s easy to be phoney. No one sees us, they just hear a voice.
It is not enough to preach the truth, you have to live it.

Work on good relationships

Good relationships, in which we genuinely honour each other, will teach others more about Jesus than our words can.
The media in general is an industry that encourages a “me first” attitude – the opposite of what Jesus taught and demonstrated to His followers. Loyalty to those who have given us jobs, who work with us, who depend on us, is crucial.
Putting others first will sometimes put us at a short-term disadvantage, but it’s the right thing to do.

Work on diligence

Enthusiasm for hard work does not come naturally, so we need to develop it.
Laziness will keep us from being effective in any activity, but especially in work that is as demanding as Christian radio.
We can give easy tasks, or activities we enjoy, undue priority, keeping us from accomplishing more important things. There is often tension between the creative and administrative aspects of radio ministry.
Our real work is not “doing radio” it is “serving God.”

Work on a positive attitude

Radio puts many pressures on us, to write well, to speak well, to meet deadlines, to mention a few. It can be hard to be cheerful.
When we are stressed and experiencing a lot of tension, we have to choose to be pleasant and productive.
When things are going wrong, it’s good to remember that nothing can happen to us that God doesn’t know about and hasn’t allowed for our ultimate blessing.

Work on generosity

In media industries we find “insiders” and “outsiders.” Insiders naturally want to protect their position, so they try to keep the outsiders out.
A generous spirit allows us to share what we know with others for the benefit of the project.
Radio is an exciting industry, welcome new people with their good creative ideas to produce better programs.
As Christians, we are commanded to share the good news. One of the best ways of doing this is by working to include the outsiders.

Work on forgiveness

It is inevitable that people will hurt us – intentionally and unintentionally. Others will be chosen for opportunities we would have liked. Others will have resources that we think we need. Grudges and bitterness will hold us back and keep us from being all we can be – from being all God wants us to be.
To let go of a grudge, start doing good to those who have harmed you. Offer to help. Pray that God would bless them. Speak well of them to others.
This sets you free from the bondage of an unforgiving spirit and opens the situation for God to work (because you have released control).

Work on empathy

In such an ego-centric industry it is hard to learn to share others’ joy. The normal response is to be jealous of the success of our colleagues and bitter about the success of our competitors.
It’s also hard to enter into the pain of others. The failure of others often makes us feel better about ourselves.
Empathy allows us to build strong bonds with others. We might do this simply because it gives us a benefit, ideally we do it because it is Jesus’ response.

Work on humility – treat everyone the same way, recognize your own weaknesses

People think you’re important because you’re on the radio so it’s easy to let your ego get out of control
Some people will like what you do and tell you they’ve been blessed so it’s easy to think that you’re blessing people. “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV).
It’s easy in the media and the arts to play favourites and flatter those who can help you while you despise those who can’t. Learn to treat everyone the same way.
Work at recognizing your own weaknesses. This will keep you from being too hard on others who have weaknesses.

All of these areas on which we must work can be identified quite easily by observing the frequent shortcomings of ourselves and our fellow-broadcasters. From time to time any of us will exhibit weakness in at least one of these areas. They are good things to work on because they add an air of authenticity to the content of our communication. Without that, our beautiful words, appropriate music, and subtle production techniques will merely inform or entertain without doing the spiritual work which is (or should be) the motivation for our ministry.

I can easily think of individual broadcasters who provide examples (some good and some bad) of all of these areas to work on. However, that was not my starting place. It may have become obvious to you as you read through the points, that my starting place was not my experience, but the word of God, Romans 12 to be precise. I didn't set that out at the beginning, because too many people hear a biblical reference and tune out. If they are unbelievers, they may think what is about to follow is irrelevant. If they are believers, they may think they already know what you're going to present. But while I did not start by revealing the source for these ideas, I think it is appropriate to let God's word speak for itself as I close.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:9-16