Lights, Camera, Ministry! The Church’s Role in Modern Media
Stephanie Kramer
He adjusted his tie as he waited nervously in the “wings” which used to be referred to as
the choir loft. So much had changed since he first stood behind the pulpit of this
outdated country church. Sure, the gold carpet showed signs of wear, and the long
pews were mostly permanent, not like the mega church down the block with stackable
chairs in their sparkly new multipurpose sanctuary.
Rev. Thomas knew that his old-fashioned ways were not for everyone. His small
congregation was steadily decreasing as modern churches were built around them. The
mega church on the corner attracted young families from his congregation. Of course,
who wouldn’t want to go to church with a fully enclosed playground that rivals those at
the local fast-food restaurants. And that new church that started in the strip mall
attracted all the young couples. Even he was a little tempted to walk through the double
automatic doors to take part in their Sunday morning treats, complete with a barista to
create everyone’s favorite specialty coffee.
As Rev. Thomas stood there, waiting for his turn to walk across the familiar stage, he
looked around the room. The yellow plexiglass that was installed fifty years ago was still
whole, but certainly looked dated. There was even some shag carpet in the closet under
the stairs. The wallpaper, though dated, was still in good shape, as was the dark wood
trim. He suddenly felt a tiny twinge of shame for the dated, but not dilapidated church he
had called home for thirty years.
And now, in this new era, he himself felt dated. His once silky brown hair had gradually
turned a metallic silver. The lines around his eyes and mouth that formed when he
laughed at his own funny anecdote during his sermons were now evident even when he
wasn’t smiling.
“I don’t know about doing this,” Rev. Thomas said as soon as his daughter walked
through the door. “I am just an old man that was called by God to preach His word. I’m
not flashy like those pastors on TV or that Tube thingy.”
And yet, here he was, about to step onto the proverbial stage of the modern world: live
streaming his sermon for the first time.
Jenna smiled with affection, “YouTube, Dad. It’s called YouTube.” Jenna had left the
small town. She had walked away from the small church with the big heart. She had
gone off to college and explored the world. And now, she had returned to her
hometown. It had changed. She had changed. But what had remained was her dad, his
sermons and his heart for the Lord. She was determined to bring his heartfelt preaching
to the “Interwebs” as he’d called it, until she corrected him with a laugh.
“I don’t know about this, Jenna,” Rev. Thomas said again tugging at his tie as though it
might choke him.
“You’ll do great,” Jenna reassured. “You promised to try,” she said. She knew exactly
how to convince her dad to do things for her. She had perfected the “please daddy” look
at age four and had used it to her advantage since.
If Rev. Thomas still had his doubts, he kept them to himself. Because in his heart, he
knew that this was bigger than him, bigger than the gold carpet or even the church itself.
The message of Christ was timeless – It just needed a new stage.
Rev. Thomas walked across the stage, the stage he had been on a few thousand times
before. But this time, his hand shook just a little. He took a deep breath as Jenna hit the
“Go Live” button. His face, lined with years of wisdom and love, appeared on the tiny
screen on her phone. “Good morning, church,” he began, his voice remarkably steady
and his message as timeless as ever. He talked about love, hope and the unchanging
grace of God. He talked about the importance of community and the power of reaching
others, no matter where they were – whether in a pew or sitting on their couch.
A Small Step Into a Bigger World
At first the small congregation was skeptical. Why put Rev. Thomas online? Why bother
with cameras and live streams when the pews weren’t even full. But as weeks turned
into months, something remarkable happened.
Jenna showed her dad the growing number of comments beneath the videos. “Watching
from Florida! Thank you for the beautiful sermon!” one person wrote. Another
commented, “I haven’t been able to get to church since my surgery, but I feel like I’m
there with you every week.”
The numbers began to grow – people tuning in not just from their small town, but from
other states and even other countries. Former members who had moved away shared
the link with friends. A young woman in Seattle reached out to say she’d rediscovered
her faith after stumbling across one of the sermons.
Encouragement for Small Churches
Rev. Thomas became a reluctant pioneer, proving that even the smallest church with
the most outdated carpet could make a big impact on the digital age. The message of
Christ didn’t need fog machines, high tech lights or perfectly staged productions. It
needed authenticity, love and a willingness to adapt.
For small churches wondering if this leap is worth it, the answer is a resounding yes.
You don’t need a Hollywood budget or team of media experts to make a difference. You
just need to a willingness to step out in faith.
As a publicist, I’ve seen time and again how small-town pastors like Rev. Thomas, who
take the bold step of putting their ministry online to discover blessings they never
imagined. Or how that author with the manuscript they’ve been tweaking for years finally
gets that online publishing deal, after taking a bold step of faith. Or how that singer who
liked to belt out praise songs on Sunday morning, finally grew the courage to broaden
their audience and found a new, fruitful ministry on the other side of their reluctance.
I get it – this leap of faith feels daunting. You might be wondering if anyone will watch or
read or listen. You may tell yourself that you don’t have the right equipment or that your
message will not resonate in the noisy worlds of digital media.
But here’s the truth. You have everything you need. What makes your ministry special is
not the size of your church or the production value of your videos — it’s your authenticity,
your passion for the Gospel and your heart for people that matter. Those qualities will
shine through the screen and into the lives of people who are hungry for hope and
connection.
By stepping out into the digital space, you’re not just trying something new – you’re
stepping into a global mission field. And the rewards for your church and ministry are
profound.
A New Chapter
Months later, Rev. Thomas stood at the pulpit again, looking out at his congregation.
There were some new faces in the crowd. Young families who had first tuned in online
were drawn to the simple country church with the old pews that creaked as they shifted
to make room for visitors.
As Jenna adjusted the camera for the live stream, Rev Thomas glanced at her and
smiled. “Welcome to church,” he said, his voice warm and steady. This time he wasn’t
nervous.
Because whether they were sitting in pews or watching from a thousand miles away, his
message was clear: God’s love transcends walls, time zones and technology. And
sometimes all it takes is a little courage, a little faith and yes – the “interwebs” to reach
the world.
If Rev. Thomas can take this step, so can you. This isn’t just an opportunity; it may be a
calling. Take the leap and watch God work in ways you never expected.
Stephanie Kramer is a seasoned writer and publicist with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and building impactful publicity campaigns. With years of experience promoting books, events, and brands, Stephanie has developed a knack for connecting stories with audiences through strategic messaging and creative outreach. As a writer and editor, she has contributed to a variety of publications, showcasing her talent for engaging and thought-provoking content find Stephanie on Linkedin Here
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