The Challenge and Value of Unintended Audiences

I have talked about it before… but maybe I can pull some of my disparate thoughts together here. I will give a few quick examples.

Undermined

Butch Hartman, the creator of the cartoon, “The Fairly Odd Parents” among others, decided to create his own brand and channel for children’s media. As a Christian of a certain tradition, he was speaking at a church. As he was talking about his vision, and how others can be a part of it, he framed it in terms much like spywork. The Christian media will come into the homes of secular parents as seemingly innocent content, but will surreptitiously fill the minds of their children with Christian messages. Now, I would describe that as a rather uncomfortable presentation, but I do know that there are some “7 mountain” Christian nationalist types that might really connect to that sort of marketing. The problem was that the presentation was recorded and became available to the 95% of the population who would be uncomfortable with that framing. Butch was speaking to the 5% but what he said eventually became available to the unintended audience— the 95%. I don’t really know if Butch knew what he was saying was going into (potentially) all the world. I would wonder if he would have made his message more universal if he had.

I can relate to this. A few years ago, I was working with a minister who had sinned— in a manner that was patterned and unnuanced. I had worked with him for several months and after having a discussion with some other church leaders, we decided to hold a restoration service for him. Anyway, we were hold this service at a neutral site, and I specifically said that if anyone takes pictures, videos, or such, please keep them to oneself— don’t put up on social media. Sure enough, a few days later, there was a backlash as one of the attendees shared photos online. Why would she do that??!! Apparently, she was moved by the event and thought others would be moved by it as well. It is like she never used social media… ever!!

Underthought

I used to live in Virginia— I still do when I am not in the Philippines. Two well-known Christian leaders had their base of operations there before they died— Jerry Fallwell and Pat Robertson. I never cared for either one of them that much, but at least Fallwell never ran for president of the United States… so there’s that. However, from their television pedestal, they talked A LOT. And periodically they would say things that would get a strong reaction from people. I am not speaking of proclaiming the gospel message that may be a stumblingblock for many people. I mean saying things that insult a group of people— failing to follow the wisdom of Titus 2:10 (adorning the gospel), Colossians 4:5-6 and I Peter 3:15. It was interesting that Jerry Fallwell would commonly apologize, while Pat Robertson would often double-down on his statement. I am not sure which is worse. If Fallwell really knew that his words work destructive… then he should be more careful in the future in what he says. Not learning but continuing to repeat— what does that say about the person. As far as Robertson, not seeing that his words can undermine the purpose of his message (assuming that at least part of the purpose is to express God’s love and message of hope in such a way as to convict hearts to turn to Him) just seems to be so foolish. Actually, looking at the Mission Statement of CBN, it is not at all clear that my assumption of their message is correct… but not sure that this makes it any better. As I said, I truly don’t know which is worse.

I have also spoken of Otto Koning and his telling of his adventures as a missionary on the island of New Guinea. The video of his sharing has to be at least 40 years old… and maybe the things he said were thought appropriate then. Now, however, some would be quite problematic to modern-day listeners as well as members of the tribe he ministered to who now can access that presentation when they could not decades ago. One cannot prepare for the future totally. Still… as a missionary, I do try to talk about the people I work with and for in such a way that it would not be embarrassing if SOMEHOW they were able to listen in on what I say.

Years ago I attended a church that was really big on tithing. As a way to encourage (pressure?) members into tithing, the deacons were asked, one per week, to get up and talk about how important it is to tithe. One day, Mr. Arnolds (not his real name) got up to do that… talking about how important it is to tithe. As he was talking, two visitors in the church stood up and one of them said, “Uh… excuse me… excuse me. I was wondering why we have to buy God’s love?” Actually, I thought that was an excellent question but Mr. Arnolds did not know what to say. He Hmmmd and Ummmmd for a bit, and a couple of other deacons came and escorted the two ladies out of the church. That was really too bad. Mr. Arnold was a very nice man actually… but I don’t think he ever wondered why we should tithe… or even IF we should tithe. He was asked by the pastor to encouraged to give a word of support for tithing, and he assumed that everyone in the church either believes in tithing or (like me I guess) at least isn’t going to challenge the practice in such a public way. I don’t think the leadership ever changed its views on tithing— but they did stop having deacons get up and try to talk people into doing it. Some good then came of it all.

WHAT CAN ONE DO ABOUT THE UNINTENDED AUDIENCE?

Anticipate and Accommodate Them. Peter, in Acts 2, spoke to the local crowd to help them understand what was happening as the 120 began speaking to people in their own languages. This was a great blessing for some of the people— especially visitors. But for the local people, who already spoke Aramaic, with limited utility in other languages, things would have been confusing. Peter helped them understand. In a similar way, Paul told the Church of Corinth, likewise, to not exercise glossalalia without an interpreter. Some people may be fine with what is going on, but others, especially guests could be confused.Plan One’s Message for More than One Audience. Paul in Athens spoke in the Agora (marketplace) may have been sharing the Gospel with what we might call “ordinary people.” However, there were philosophers, apparently in the crowd. His message was presumably relevant to the common people, but was also enticing for the philosophers. Similarly, Paul in Ephesus expressed Jesus in a positive way to the listening crowd. However, there were apparently government officials in the audience as well… looking for agitators perhaps. Paul, however, never said anything denigrating Artemis, their main local deity. This was very helpful when people tried to attack Paul and his group. The local leadership recognized that Paul was not the problem. His carefully chosen words expressed the Gospel forcefully, without blasheming what some people still dearly held onto. Make the “Unintended Audience” Part of the Conversation. This is probably the most challenging of the three. Jesus described His message as being primarily for sinners called to repent. As such, His message was less targeted to the religious leaders who (in their own minds at least) did not view their need for repentance. Jesus often used the interaction between Himself and the religious leaders as public discourse to be heard by His disciples and others.

Regardless, never assume that only your intended audience will hear what you have to say. This was probably never true, but today it is more true— your message potentially will go past the walls of the room you are with to endure around the world and across time. Don’t be surprised by this— expect this and plan for it.