Radio Programming Roles FEBC Perspectives

(c) 2005 FEBC International 1. INFORMATION: News and Current Affairs Most people tune their radios to hear the latest news Important way to show concern for daily life Presents Christian perspective on what is going on in the world News is history in the making - it shows God at work and Satan in opposition Eloquently tells story of a fallen, sinful world

(c) 2005 FEBC International 2. ENTERTAINMENT: Enjoyment and Relaxation The second reason people listen to radio Main areas of entertainment –2.1 Music –2.2 Popular Culture –2.3 Human Interest –2.4 Humour –2.5 Quizzes, competitions, etc. Every program should have entertainment value

(c) 2005 FEBC International 3. INSTRUCTION: Functioning as Teachers Two Main Areas:- - Community Development – working with people to improve their living and environment: health, agriculture, education, etc. - Christian Education For non-Christians For Christians

(c) 2005 FEBC International 4. ADVOCATING CHANGE: Being Change Agents When the mass media help make things happen Raising awareness of critical issues in society –giving minorities a voice –bringing concerns to the attention of authorities and decision-makers Showing compassion as Christians

(c) 2005 FEBC International 5. INSPIRATIONAL: Hope and Companionship Especially for people in difficult circumstances –Restricted situations where persecution evident –Lonely people, shut-ins, elderly –The sick and outcasts But we all need it, too! (especially when so much news is depressing…) A tool for bringing hope, encouragement and light into the community

(c) 2005 FEBC International 6. POSITIONING: Promoting Christian Action Christians around the world are actively engaged in relieving human suffering … BUT the world does not hear about these things Need to make listener aware of these activities By doing this we show Christ’s love for a sick and suffering world

(c) 2005 FEBC International 7. WITNESS: Testifying to God’s Work & Activities This is God’s world (not Satan’s) Help the things of God to be plainly seen (Romans 1:20) How do we do this? –Stories of God at work in peoples’ lives individuals communities –Programs on (e.g.) nature topics, science, environment

(c) 2005 FEBC International 8. APOLOGETIC: Comparing Christian Belief Defend the Christian faith by setting out the truth of the Gospel Appeal to the mind through reason - not the emotions Sow seeds of doubt about inadequacy of listener’s own belief system –e.g. Paul on Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-34) –From Temporal to Eternal - program for Buddhists Help listener see there is another way of looking at life and its meaning

(c) 2005 FEBC International 9. PROCLAMATION: Declaring the Gospel Declare Truth of Gospel positively, unashamedly - and with clarity... …but content must be relevant (and understandable) to the listener Find better ways than preaching! (Be creative!)

(c) 2005 FEBC International 10. COUNSELLING: Getting Close to Our Listener Radio presenters become friends - not just personalities We adopt a servant role – putting their needs first Listeners who respond are the cream! Treat them with much loving care and respect. We must be ready to meet a listener’s needs –On air – through phone-in programs –Off-air – through letters/ , visits, listeners’ rallies

(c) 2005 FEBC International 11. SUPPLEMENTARY: Providing Helps This is the ultimate test of radio’s flexibility Allows us to experiment with less conventional uses of radio in response to specific needs Examples: –Bible Dictation –Radio churches –DAWN China –Disaster/emergency and Relief efforts

(c) 2005 FEBC International 12. CELEBRATION: Celebrating the Gospel Expressing (genuine) joy in our programs - instead of dry and drab presentations Encouraging praise and worship Help listener to focus on God, his faithfulness and goodness – and the Hope we have in Christ Use music, poetry, praise, Bible readings… etc.

(c) 2005 FEBC International 13. MODELLING: Showing Christian Community Demonstrate radio station/staff/presenters as integral part of community (not separate from it!) Break down denomination/organisation barriers Encourage partnership with other agencies and churches – through doing it!

(c) 2005 FEBC International 14. PARTICIPATORY: Listener Involvement Radio is not a one-way channel of communication Works best when the community it serves is involved or participates Makes listener feel important and is being heard. He becomes part of the radio community. Practical ways of involving listener:- –Contribute program materials: stories, poems or items on cassette –Quizzes, phone-in programs/talk radio –Interviews on the street or in the home Keeps us accountable for what we say

Close to the Listener! – (like Jesus…) … there is no other way!

(c) 2005 FEBC International ROLES Reviewed: INFORMATIONENTERTAINMENT INSTRUCTIONADVOCATING CHANGE INSPIRATIONPOSITIONING WITNESS APOLOGETIC PROCLAMATIONCOUNSELLING SUPPLEMENTARYCELEBRATION MODELLING PARTICIPATORY

(c) 2005 FEBC International questions: Which roles dominate your programs/activities? Why do they dominate? How suitable are they for your audiences? Which of the 14 roles would you like to add? What help, further information, or training do you need to help develop the skills and resources necessary to add these new roles?