Ron Gilbert
Ron Gilbert, Lee University's assistant professor of communication and director of video production, presented a position paper at the fourth annual Faith and Communication Conference at Campbell College in North Carolina.
This presentation was part of Mr. Gilbert's ongoing research that began with his doctoral studies in the uses of media as a part of Christian worship. The paper was entitled Implications of Pentecostalism to the Conception of Communication and How it Might be Theorized and Practiced.
The conference hosted speakers from all different Christian faith backgrounds.
Mr. Gilbert represented the Pentecostal perspective on communication as a part of a panel that discussed the exploration of alternate Christian approaches to communication. The rest of the panel included Catholic, Anglican, and Quaker perspectives.
"The Pentecostal movement has always been willing to utilize any means and methods to promote their message; things such as radio, television, and sound systems," said Mr. Gilbert. "Christian television, especially that of local churches, has had an amazing increase in electronic media usage to enhance worship."
For the past four years this conference has met to take an academic look at Christians in the field of communication. Right now, the majority of Christian communication texts and information are from Calvinist perspectives, and Mr. Gilbert said this conference aims to include other perspectives and broaden the availability of resources and information.