Page 23 - C:\Users\Jim\AppData\Local\Temp\msoBA60.tmp

Those Who Control The Media…

Why do we at the URC bother with Social Media? Whilst there are undoubtedly hun-

dreds of reasons, three will suffice for this article. They are ‘R.A.C.’ – if you enjoy a
memory aid:
Reach
Accessibility and Assets
Culture

In the Bad Ol’ Days, media was prohibitively expensive – and thus controlled by
those with the money and power. Of course, Facebook has made Mark Zuckerberg
a Billionaire ($132 estimated this month by Forbes). Elon Musk is synonymous with
whatever Twitter is called now. And Google is behind YouTube – the second
largest search engine after Google itself. Whilst the Media Moguls still wield the
power, they are, at least sharing access to their platforms.

For example, YouTube gives you your own TV Channel as long as you adhere by
their rules. Facebook gives you a massive Social Network – as LinkedIn does for
business professionals. Twitter is about the fastest way to get better customer
service, and to reach people with time sensitive opportunities. And there are so
many more…

We live in an age where, if people want answers they ask, “Auntie Google,” or look
up, “How to…” on YouTube rather than come to the Church. If they want to network,
they use Facebook. And if they want to moan or rant Twitter. I am suggesting that if
they won’t come to the Church, the Church could go to where they are.

Thus, we use them because their of Global Reach with a Local bias, the accessibility
they give to those who live on their Smartphones and Tablets, and because Culture
dictates that we have to be online or risk being out-of-mind. I say, “Culture dictates,”
deliberately. How many of us have been practically forced to bank online? You will
also find, increasingly, that if you want special deals at the Supermarket, you’ll have
to register as a ‘member’ and, ideally, use each Supermarket’s dedicated App.

Reach
Jesus commanded (not ‘suggested’) that we should go into all the World.

New King James Version of Acts 1:7-8
And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father
has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

New King James Version of Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that
I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Amen.

New King James Version of Mark 16:15
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’

23