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Christian media can either refer to Christians who work in secular media, or media that is Christian, or refer to various aspects of mass media which is primarily targeting the Christian demographic. The conservative Christian right and fundamentalist Christians have been especially active with media ventures.[1]
Forms of Christian media
editAudiovisual media
edit- Christian film is a film genre. Many forms of Christian films are now widespread, from full length, feature films to short and discussion orientated clips. Produced mostly by Sony pictures, common feature Christian films include: Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Get Low. Other short films include the Deidox documentary series, or the recently created GodFilms. Both specialize in short minute movies about invoking thought or discussion. Both feature length and short Christian films are moderately successful.
- Christian radio, a radio format of music and programming that, within itself, includes several sub-formats. These include Contemporary Christian music, Urban contemporary gospel, Southern Gospel, inspirational music, children's programming which include Adventures in Odyssey and Patch the Pirate, talk radio, and formats which include primarily preaching and/or instructional programming.
- Christian television, which may include broadcast television or cable television channels whose entire broadcast programming schedule is television programs directly related to Christianity, such as Trinity Broadcasting Network (the world's largest religious television network),[2] Alpha Omega Network, God TV, Australian Christian Channel, SAT-7 and Emmanuel TV or individual shows including comedy, action, drama, reality, dramatizations and variety shows, movies and mini-series; which are part of the overall programming of a general-interest television station. See also Televangelism.
- Christian video games are generally released by independent Christian developers, though sometimes a major company develops a game targeted at this audience. A major Christian game developer is Wisdom Tree.
Christian publishing
editChristian publishing encompasses all forms of publishing of print media in the field of communicating information promoting Christianity and aspects of Christianity to readers.
- Christian books, a segment of Christian media which typically communicates the core elements of the Christian faith to non-believers, or publishes books to help develop and inform the beliefs of adherents. Examples include Gospel Light, whose focus is on Children's Christian Education, also Abigdon Press, Plough Publishing,[3] Concordia Publishing House and David C. Cook. Some traditional Christian publishers are converting to online publishing. As evangelicals don't have a central authority, publishers and bookstores are de facto gatekeepers of theology.[4]
- Christian newspapers, a small segment of Christian media which typically communicates news to members of the denomination or group which publishes the paper. Such newspapers often published weekly, rarely more frequently and often less frequently (bi-weekly, monthly). Examples include the Southern Baptist Convention, whose various state conventions often publish weekly or bi-weekly newspapers, also Christian Examiner and The Christian Post. Sometimes individual congregations will publish newspapers; one example is Southeast Christian Church, a megachurch in Louisville, Kentucky which publishes a weekly newspaper distributed throughout the metro area. Independent publishers have also produced Christian newspapers, often aimed at a specific group such as Roman Catholics. For much the same reasons as commercial newspapers such as the high cost of production and distribution, some Christian newspapers are converting to online publishing.
- Christian magazines, one of many special-interest groups within the magazine publishing industry. Christian magazines often focus on groups within Christianity, such as men or women, youth, or certain denominations. Many Christian magazines are published by denominations and independent ministries as an outreach to the unchurched or to the organization's supporters, frequently at no cost to the reader. One of the most well known is "Guideposts" magazine, published by Guideposts non-profit since 1945. Examples of denominational magazines include House to House Heart to Heart and The Australian Presbyterian magazine. Other Christian magazines are published commercially for a profit, and sold by subscription or by single copies through bookstores and other retailers. Examples include Christianity Today and Charisma.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Linda Kintz; Julia Lesage (April 1998), Media, Culture, and the Religious Right, U of Minnesota Press, p. 404, ISBN 978-0-8166-3085-1 ISBN 0-8166-3085-2, ISBN 978-0-8166-3085-1
- ^ Elaine Woo (2 December 2013). "Paul Crouch dies at 79; founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
He bought more television stations, then piled on cable channels and eventually satellites until he had built the world's largest Christian television system...
- ^ "About Us". Plough. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
- ^ Graham, Ruth (12 July 2019). "The Decline of the Christian Bookstore". Slate. Retrieved 12 July 2019.