Senior Portfolio Presentation
Originally Published 4/10/2015
Today is a significant milestone in my college education. It is my senior mass communication portfolio presentation. Today I’ll spend 15 minutes talking about how my time as an electronic media production major has prepared me for life after graduation.
Over these past few years at Harding, it's been interesting to watch people's reactions when I tell them I've been a Bible/ministry student as well as an "electronic media production" major. After clarifying what the major includes I often get questions or statements like these:
"Oh, so you're going to create the next Veggietales?"
"So do you want to be a televangelist?"
"Wow, those have nothing in common with each other."
"Wow, those go great together."
To clarify, I don't think I'm going to ushering in the next age of "Larry the Cucumber," nor is my calling to digital/televised mega-churchdom. I simply wanted to pursue developing a tool that I was already interested in and somewhat skilled in to better equip me for ministry.
Since my goal has always been to serve in ministry, the communication department faculty has been (graciously) helping me hone in media and communication skills that are especially helpful either in ministry or freelance work to complement my ministry.
Through my coursework I have studied:
Video Production
Photography
Web Design
Public Relations
Audio Production and Recording
Typography & Graphic Design
Screenwriting/Story Development
Legal and Ethical Issues within mass communication
Even though I've received some very helpful technical instruction, it’s been the broader lessons about communication that have been the most beneficial. Every communication teacher I've had presented some nugget of wisdom that sometimes took a (at times frustrating) project to understand. At times I was learning the difference between an analog and digital audio system, or memorizing the mechanics of a digital single lens reflex camera, or hearing that a good movie usually includes seven main "beats". However there were plenty of other instances where I learned that "a good audio engineer is one that goes unnoticed in a production" (David Robison), that "the best camera is the one you have with you" (Jeff Montgomery), or that in film you should almost always show instead of tell (Joe Aaron, Mark Prior, Grant Dillion).
However, let's explore the even broader lessons. As the advertisement poster for my presentation reads, I am “equipped to use design, story, and creativity in ministry.” As I've been preparing for this presentation I made a realization about communication. It is actually quite closely connected to my other course of study. Just as the communication field values "design, story, and creativity," so does God. This is because design, story, and creativity are traits of God.
Here is a summary of what I've learned/observed in both God's actions and in the mass communication field:
Design is purposefully bringing order to chaos.
Story is the transcendent language of humanity.
Creativity (or creation) is problem solving that brings enjoyment and meaning.
Essentially, Christian mass communicators serve in a field where they are given glimpses into the character and nature of God. Daily, communicators get to explore traits of God that he has shared with humanity.
After studying these principles, how can I not apply them to ministry?