Frisson Spotlight (1.3) Do you read the Review?
This is part three of the conversation with Timothy Puko. See below for the first two posts. ______________________________________________
Hello Puko,
Greetings from San Diego. I’m down at a GC-sponsored mini-conference for (read with He-man voice) the Global Internet Evangelism Network. Thus far it’s consisted of a bunch of hackneyed Mac vs. PC jokes. (Anyone for a little pirates vs. ninjas?)
I bring this up because of your great comments:
“Being a professed Christian in a Christian group doesn’t give you a free pass from accountability.”
“If you want a constituent-based organization, then
respect the fact that your constituents need to be well informed.”
This
evening I sat right next to the communication head of a union on which
Spectrum reported. He looked visibly bothered when I mentioned the
journal. I asked him if he knew of anything interesting going on. After
a couple of silent seconds, he turned to me and said: I focus on good
news. . . . I just looked back at him, realizing: “so is that what
leadership thinks – either with us or against us.” In the future, it
would be great to change this false dichotomy. Perhaps members can be
involved in the life of the church beyond just paying dues for good
news.
I’m not sure that the Adventist 4th estate should be
antagonistic – but on the other hand, Judith Miller shows what can
happen if things become too tight.
While I think that
Spectrum, and your report does a fine job of hard-hitting while being
fair-minded, I sense that the average member is still uncomfortable
with knowing too much about their religion. Have you pondered these mix
of responsibilities?
How do you articulate being a supportive fellow Adventist and maintain a journalistic approach?
The
reality is that there are not many places for honest conversations
about the beliefs, governance, and culture of Adventism. Perhaps in one
or two college classes, but other than that, not much. Even the most
powerful executive committee doesn’t get much time to think creatively.
Along with that, I’m curious how a Columbia University trained
journalist reads the Adventist Review and the other church news. I
can’t think of a single college-graduate friend of mine who actually
pays any attention to the church papers. Perhaps that’s part of the
general move online for news or perhaps its the propaganda feel of the
writing. Often it just doesn’t feel honest – and I read almost all of
it – I have a sick fascination with the rags like I enjoy VH1. Do you
read the Review?
Back atcha,
Alexander
