Christians often struggle with embracing change, especially in our modern culture. Practices that worked in the past may no longer be effective in bringing people closer to God's Word. However, the power in overcoming this challenge lies in how we use media to carry our words to millions of people.

In this episode, we talk to Phil Cooke, a well-renowned media producer, consultant, and writer. Phil discusses the challenges Christians face in Hollywood and how modern culture is affecting Christianity. He also shares essential media skills to convey our messages effectively.

Tune in to this episode if you want to learn how to move toward success with a nourished spirit, soul, and body.

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Learn about the challenges of being a Christian in Hollywood.
2. Know why Christianity has slowly become ineffective in our modern culture.
3. Discover essential media skills every leader should possess to convey their messages adequately.

Resources

• The Way Back: How Christians Blew Our Credibility and How We Get It Back by Phil Cooke & Jonathan Bock
• One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do by Phil Cooke
• Jolt!: Get the Jump on a World That's Constantly Changing by Phil Cooke

About Phil

Phil Cooke is an influential media consultant, producer, and author based in Burbank, California. Phil has produced various well-renowned programs, including Billy Graham’s “Starting Over,” which reached around 1.5 billion people across 200 countries in a day. He was also the executive producer of “Let Hope Rise—the Hillsong Movie” and “The Insanity of God.”

Phil and his wife founded Cooke Media Group and have helped various Christian and nonprofit organizations in the world, such as The American Bible Society and The Museum of the Bible. He uses his media expertise to guide these foundations in conveying their story in a changing, disrupted culture.

If you want to learn more about Phil's works, you may reach him at PhilCooke.com, CookeMediaGroup.com, or at InfluenceLab.com.

Episode Highlights

[03:22] The Impact of Hollywood

• Most Christians perceive Hollywood as a dangerous place because we tend to boycott and criticize their works.
• Missionaries do things differently because they go to a third world country to develop a relationship with the people.
• For people to be receptive to their convictions, filmmakers must impress them with their talents first.

“Long time ago, I stopped thinking of Hollywood as the enemy and started thinking of Hollywood as a mission field.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[09:37] The Rise of Online Ministries

• Before this global pandemic, 41% of churches in America had never offered anything to their congregation online.
• Real-life physical worship is not as important as building a community.
• Ministries that take livestreaming seriously welcome and embrace people, giving them a third of their total income.

[12:57] Embracing Change

• His first book, Jolt!, teaches you how to align yourself and embrace the changes in our culture.
• The Word of God never changes even when everything else does.
• Learn more about the significance of embracing change by listening to the full episode!

[15:33] Re-establishing Our Credibility

• His second book, The Way Back, discusses why Christianity is losing its place in our new culture.
• Most people regard us as phonies, hypocritical, and power-hungry.
• Christians in the Roman Empire had no power and authority. But they were able to shift the Romans' minds to rethink who these Christians were and who God was.
• Learn more about how Christianity became the dominant faith by listening to the full episode!

[20:54] The Impact of Loving Others

• Around 76% of Americans do not know who their neighbors are.
• Nowadays, people point to Christians and say, “I don't want to be like those people.”
• People convert to faith not because of a moral challenge or an awakening. Learn the true reason by listening to the full episode!
• We judge others during the first 8 seconds when we meet them for the first time.
• Successful organizations are remarkable at one thing—being unique.

[29:56] Discovering Our Calling

• Most of us doubt whether we should be doing what we want to do.
• Failing on things you thought you should be doing allows you to get an essence of who you are.
• Your purpose is not a mystery. You just need to foster it and get it out there.

[32:15] Phil's Journey into the Industry

• He was a preacher's kid in North Carolina and started making films for fun.
• He never thought about going into the entertainment business. However, during his freshman year in college, he had an epiphany.
• He realized he could influence people through his films and programs.

“Working from the inside, I think, is the only way that really change any organization, any institution.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[36:21] Working Behind the Scenes

• He has worked with many contemporary churches and ministries.
• When he worked with Billy Graham, he observed his leaders were not ready for something different.
• They told him his program should never see the light of day. But when they broadcasted it, it reached over two and a half billion people worldwide and generated a million calls for salvation.
• Once you feel God has called you to do something, fight for it.

[41:23] Practical & Spiritual Ways to Know Your Calling

• The Holy Spirit can point out and reveal things to you. It can also give you confidence.
• You just know when it works, and it takes a lot of confidence to abide by that.
• There are a lot of battles you would be willing to give up. But there are also some you would want and should fight for.
• We should recognize the value of creativity, especially in engaging our culture.

[48:09] Skills That Would Help Post-Quarantine

• The power of telling your stories is now as crucial as ever.
• Investing in an excellent communication and media team can help you get your message to millions of people.
• People who are not well-versed in the media are not willing to give it time.

“Don't lead with your faith; lead with your talent.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[55:15] Authenticity vs. Excellence

• Perception matters more than reality.
• In the first 8 seconds, people have already decided on your credibility.
• Authenticity is about being real rather than adhering to a standard of excellence.
• Excellence is about staying relevant.

“It's not about passion. It's about figuring out what you're really wired to do, why God puts you on the earth.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[01:03:28] What Cooke Media Group Does

• Phil's company focuses on how Christian projects can engage with modern culture more effectively.
• Short films have become the best marketing tool in America.
• Learn more about his projects by listening to the full episode!

[01:10:49] What Excites Phil

• More leaders are starting to recognize the power of the media.
• People who thought going online is not ministry are slowly changing their minds.
• Both media and creativity matter.

“Sometimes you have to just clear all that stuff away, chip it all away, and get to the essence of who they really are.” - Click Here to Tweet This

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To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim