Here’s the reality: Christian media isn’t fading — it’s becoming essential.
New research from Infinity Concepts in partnership with Grey Matter Research, along with findings from Barna Group, reveals something many church leaders have underestimated. Evangelicals aren’t casually engaging media — they’re immersed in it. 80% use some form of Christian media weekly, and younger believers are leading the charge, especially through streaming, music and social platforms.
But this isn’t about entertainment. It’s about discipleship.
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Spiritual formation
The top reasons people turn to Christian media aren’t politics or news — they’re Bible teaching, spiritual growth, encouragement and inspiration. In other words, media has become a primary delivery system for spiritual formation.
At the same time, there’s a credibility gap. While believers value Christian content, outsiders often view it as biased or manipulative. That tension is a warning: content that feels insular will push people away rather than draw them in.
Key takeaway
Here’s the takeaway: media isn’t a side ministry anymore — it is the ministry.
If churches want to stay relevant, they need to think beyond the pulpit. Because today, the sermon may start the conversation — but media carries it the rest of the week.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was published by Christian media expert Phil Cooke and originally published by philcooke.com.
