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PODCASTS: THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIECE
Oriana Davis
Podcasts: The Christina
Experience COMS 532 – D02
Liberty University
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PODCASTS: THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIECE
Abstract
Podcasts are a current communication trend that allows individuals of all walks of life to upload
audio files online for their audiences to access at their convenience. Most podcasts are in a series
format and have a topics for all different listeners. This paper will examine the overall idea of
podcasts and how it can be used to reach Christian audiences on a more convenient level. The
paper will ask if podcasts, with is lack of censorship, will benefit the spreading of God’s word or
hurt it because it offers access to different types of subjects that could cause people to question
their walk with God. It will also discuss the positive and negative aspects of podcasts I
relationship the shows and messages that are available. This will be done by researching both
Christian based and non-Christian based shows on the application and searching for keywords
that could pull up a wide variety of show topics. The church has had to evolve with the changing
media technologies if they will continue to do God’s will and podcasts allow them to reach new
audiences that might not be able to or want to go to a physical location.
Keywords: podcasts, church, talk radio, episodes, series
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PODCASTS: THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIECE
Communication and technology work together to deliver messages to people across the
world daily. The content has the ability to remains consistent but the way in which receivers get
the message has changed overtime. One of the newest forms of communication are podcasts. “A
podcast is a digital audio file made available on the internet for downloading to a computer or
mobile device, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by
subscribers automatically” (dictionary.com, 2019). Podcast just like other forms of
communication have the ability to get one messages to thousands of listeners per episode. Paul
discussed in Philippians 1:5-6 we as Christians are responsible for spreading the Good News
about Christ. Using an accessible technology is a new method of spreading the gospel in a new
and innovative ways.
There are few components that make a podcast successful, from the type of podcasts, equipment,
and having options. In chapter eight of Communication technology update and
fundamentals by Campbell and Sparks (p.95 & p.99) talk about radio and digital audio.
They discuss how digital audio allows for listeners to be mobile but still have access to their
shows. Podcasts took a page from on-demand streaming services such as Pandora and Spotify
which allows users to create playlist of their favorite songs and artists. There are also different
types of podcasts that helps to change the tone and likability of a lot of podcast. Bushee & Lenz
(2018) Talk about the three most popular kind of podcasts multihost which is a two or more
people hosting a show together, interview, a host and a guest, and solo hosts talking about
whatever topic is on the schedule(p.62). Podcasts also have a flow or layout to keep the show on
track and focused, the equipment also helps to lend to the quality of the show according to Terry
Sullivan in PC Magazine (2018).
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PODCASTS: THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIECE
Being a Christian is a lifestyle and one of the things expected of us is the spread the
Gospel and help bring people to salvation. As Christians we have the ability to use technology to
share the message and to also create a safe space for believers of all levels to have open
dialogues about their experiences with God. A lot of people no longer have a traditional Monday
through Friday job that allows them to attend church regularly on a Sunday. Thanks to constant
changes in technology and communication attending church has a new meaning. Technology
has allowed people to attend and even become members all over the world. While traditional
brick and mortar churches do allow for in person fellowship, there are messages that speakers
give around the world that have to ability to accessed everywhere thanks to the internet and free
spaces such as YouTube, Facebook, podcasts, and church websites. In an article about the
advantages of podcasts the author Shelley Frost(n.d.) gives four benefits of podcasts,
authoritative presence, audience connection, simplicity, and brand awareness. All of these
advantages are important in spreading the gospel, because there needs to be someone (an expert)
who knows what they are talking about leading the messages, a relatable speaker – having a
speaker that is not able to make the message understandable might miss the mark, and
consistency is key in all areas of life especially your walk with God. Just like with other parts of
your journey if a church starts podcasts and suddenly ends it many of listeners could stray from
their walk with God.
As an avid listener and subscriber of podcasts the use of podcast ranges from talk radio
similar to (National Public Radio) NRP, to whole books being in audible format for free. Since
it is a free forum the topics are not always Christian based or Christian focused, however, with
podcasts being accessible on an application on a mobile device it allows for listeners or
subscribers to select what shows will be in their library. Just like with any other show, podcasts
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PODCASTS: THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIECE
need listeners to keep going, no audience no reason to keep going. “Aspects of podcasting
technology help create new forms of engagement while also paralleling many features of legacy
technologies like radio”(Wrather,2016, p.43). Just like with other forms of communication not all
of it can be consider “Christian” because everyone might not be Christian or want to listen to
certain things but subscribers are given options.
All technology can be used for bad and good the option is there to be used for the good of
the Kingdom. Buzzsprout.com(2019) gives five great reasons as to why the church should use
podcasts it gives access to the message globally – anytime, anywhere, on-demand message,
allows for replays for members and guests alike, they are shareable, gives access to messages
before people visit the church there are so many options for churches to attend podcasts allow for
listening to see if the church is the best option for them. Lastly, it creates an archive of messages
to be accessed later and they are all central. One of the best parts of a podcast is the way that the
hosts are able to connect with their audiences. Many of them have everyday conversations with
their listeners while sharing the messages for the day. “A deeper sense of relationship forms,
because a podcast producer seems ‘just like one of us’, someone who is underpaid and doing
their best (usually by recording inside their closet)”(Hilmes & Lindgren, 2016, p.85).
Traditionally the church is seen as a building where believers go to worship, however, my
pastor says that we are the church and not everyone who finds God is going to find him in the
church. “It can also build bridges between learning spaces because it provides a richer and more
immediate method of integrating and accessing information across learning spaces in ways that
contrast and compliment traditional methods”(Salmon& Edirisingha, 2008, p.59). It is important
to use all avenues to help bring people to salvation because the devil uses those same spaces to
cause people to stray from God. In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the first four books of the
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PODCASTS: THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIECE
new testament, all give different accounts of the same event: Jesus feeding the masses with two
fish and five loaves of bread. While all of those people were probably already followers of
Christ, him showing his ability to provide in an unexpected way helps to solidify ones beliefs.
Podcasts are another way of doing that, with sermons and talk shows dedicated to sharing
different messages about the bible, God, and living a “Christian” lifestyle.
The New York Times posted and article about how a person’s brain reacts to a podcast
compared to listening to music, “for each word and concept as it is added to the narrative flow,
as the brain adds and alters layers of networks: A living internal reality takes over the
brain”(Carey, 2018, para.7). If a podcast episode has the ability to transfer a person to a new
place and create vivid imagery, that same thing can happen with people listening to the stories in
the bible it will help draw more people to God. No two people learn or absorb information the
same way it is important to give access to everyone. Another good thing about podcasts is the
freedom of regulation it offers to the “podcasters” without different government agencies
monitoring what is being talked about it creates a safe space for people to have honest content
and conversations. “It makes perfect sense that podcasting would be part of any resistance and
free-speech movement, as radio is cumbersome, expensive and easily controlled. Podcasts, like
other digital media, can be distributed in many ways” (Frary, 2017 para.2). Yes, I do believe that
podcast
References
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PODCASTS: THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIECE
Bushée, D., & Lenz, M. (2018). This Podcast Is Brought to You By …. TD: Talent
Development, 72(8), 61L–64LT. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=13
0938895&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Carry, B. (2016). This Is Your Brain on Podcasts. New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/29/science/this-is-your-brain-on-podcasts.html
Definition of podcast(2019) retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/podcast
Frary, M. (2017). Power to the podcast: Podcasting is bringing a whole new audience to
radio
and giving investigative journalism a boost. Plus, our handy guide to making your own
podcasts. Index on Censorship, 46(3), 24–27.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0306422017730789
Frost, Shelley. (n.d.). The Advantages of Podcasts in Business. Small Business - Chron.com.
Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-podcasts-business-36484.html
Grant, A. E., & Meadows, J. H. (Eds.). (2016). Communication technology update and
fundamentals (15th ed.). Boston, MA: Routledge
Hilmes, M., & Lindgren, M. (2016). Podcast review and criticism: A forum. Radio Journal:
International Studies in Broadcast & Audio Media, 14(1), 83–89. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1386/rjao.14.1.83_7
Wrather, K. (2016). Making “Maximum Fun” for fans: Examining podcast listener participation
online. Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast & Audio Media, 14(1), 43–
63. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1386/rjao.14.1.43_1
Salmon, G., & Edirisingha, P. (2008). Podcasting for learning in universities. Retrieved
from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu
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Sullivan, T. (2018). How to Create Your Own Successful Podcast. PC Magazine, 145–158.
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PODCASTS: THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIECE
Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=bth&AN=131415872&site=ehost-live&scope=site
The Definitive Guide to Starting a Podcast for Your Church (2019) gives details on the benefits
of a podcast for a church and a beginning guide on how to start a podcast.
