Denver: The five “W’s “and the one “H” for the journalist is the bread and butter to my peers and editors at examiner.com. Lately with an article rating system the back to basics approach has helped me to correct something that I feel reporters in ministry fail to do. Like a copy editor once told me, you need to “know th e rules, practice the rules, before you can break the rules.” For an evangelical and prayer examiner every story should reveal the 5 “W’s” and the one “H.”
The Who
Arguably the most timeless band in the history of rock, they were the cherry on top to the British invasion of the 1960′s. The who in this context is not “The Who” of “Pinball Wizard Fame,” or the anthem “We won’t be fooled again,” but the God-head three in one of the band “Trinity,” whose close knit harmonies created everything including “The Who” and “Earth, Wind and Fire” too. Everything that I write about is based on the Father God, the son Jesus Christ, and a little number called the Holy Spirit, which gives the believer power in his and her life.
The What
I will spare you the Abbott and Costello routine! The “what” is what we like to call “The Cause” which is central to our minds and hearts which in evangelical terms is “The Gospel.” This is spread through our mission, our media and our art. Every who and what that I write and pray about has a CAUSE CENTRAL to communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s why I think that John 3:16 is so central to our approach in media. When the “what” is communicated in every field from medical to media, from legal to business then there is a bigger picture that we as a community are striving to get to and we can’t do it alone- we need a “cause central.”
The When
The “here and now,” and the timelines from your past and mine and where God was in the midst of our victories and defeats may give us a clue to “the when.” When I review a resource, when I report on a tragedy, or a triumph in our community the eyes are where God is in the situation. I can report when He shows up, but the good news is that He is always in the midst of both. Yes it is difficult to explain death, disaster, or terrorism and why God let something happened, my duty is to show that He is there and He cares when you are hurting and that His purpose is not always understandable. In John 3:16 we are reporting that the “what” is Gospel in the Denver Evangelical column and for the National Prayer column, the prayer is the thing. So as a reporter “how do I pray the issues of the day?” And how can we pray for you?
The Why
That takes us to the “Why.” Why God loves you and me so much that He would send His son Jesus to die on a cross for our sins is a mystery to all of us. The clues come from Genesis and if you are a parent you might understand the heroic measures we would go through so our children wouldn’t face death. For many of us, we would take their place. The why is not easily explainable but a husband who loves his wife and a mother and father who love their children understand the notion of loving their family so much that they would give their lives to save one of them. The “why” is not easily explainable but is is instantly understood. Through the years I have reported on the “why” by telling many stories of sacrificial love.
The Where
I will not say “everywhere” but theologically speaking that is where you can find God. Just last night I attended a hybrid type worship service at New Life Church in Colorado Springs- God showed up, but Tim Tebow didn’t. I was invited by the Worship Pastor at Mountain Springs who is wanting to add more Liturgical elements into worship. There it was my Roman Catholic Roots hanging out with my present state of upbeat and meaningful worship songs; a Homily on Psalm 2 which brought into light our “dual citizenship” and our allegiance to God and the Kingdom. I recommend the Sunday Night service to my readers and I also encourage other Evangelical church leaders to adapt a liturgy that surrounds the Lord’s Supper. The drive down to the Springs is worth it as long as you take something back that could be useful in your community.
While there are elements of the “How” to practice sound journalistic keys in your life and your town in this article, I want to concentrate on a series of examples on what to do to be a detailed minister, leader and communications professional at examiner.com or anywhere else you might write. My life mission is to communicate message, music and mission to the areas that I am called to through Biblical, Systematic and Evangelical Theology. I hope this explains some of the methods that you can use everyday.
Comments