Impact Of Media On Global Social Movements Politics Essay

Impact Of Media On Global Social Movements Politics Essay In this paper my aim would be to bring forth various views and theories of social movements and explore the evolution of global social movements in the recent past. In the later part of my paper I would be discussing the role of mass media in global social movements and would also include the concept of new media and contemporary social networks in the cyber space and their impact on global social movements. But first I would like to start with a few definitions and views on global social movements by eminent scholars and intellectuals. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS The term social movements was introduced in 1850 by the German Sociologist  Lorenz von Stein  in his book History of the French Social Movement from 1789 to the Present. Since then, the term has taken different meanings and interpretations. Charles Tilly  defines social movements as, a series of contentious performances, displays and campaigns by which ordinary people made collective claims on others  [1]  .  For Tilly, social movements are a major vehicle for ordinary peoples participation in public politics. Sidney Tarrow  defines a social movement as,  collective challenges to elites, authorities, other groups or cultural codes by people with common purposes and solidarity in sustained interactions with elites, opponents and authorities  [2]  . Scholars like Escobar see social movements as sources of alternatives, hopes and theories of how the world can be made differently  [3]  . Bourdieus argument on social movements is that, its not the market, as its tr ied to make us believe today, but the social movement, which has civilized the market economy while largely contributing to its efficacy  [4]  . Touraine, on the other hand, contends that social movements are not positive or negative agents of history, of modernization, or of the liberalization of mankind. They act in a given type of social production and organization  [5]  . His views differ from the romanticisers of social movements and from those who define a social action mainly in terms of effectiveness in bringing about social change or resistance, to varying degrees, like McAdam and Snow  [6]  . Social movements are also seen as organizational and political opportunities by some and as effects as well as results of power structures, class struggles and identity politics by others. Some like Rucht find the value by combining them and arguing that a social movement exists to the extent that the following qualities are co-present: In structural terms, social movement s are networks of groups and/or organizations; regarding their aims, they are attempts to fundamentally change society (including power structures and basic values) or to resist such changes  [7]  . Global social movements have intensified in recent years; some of these movements contest not only the actual nature and consequences of current global socioeconomic relations but also the very foundation governing them. One of the reasons may be the global economic and technological integration which has consistently been disarming the traditional welfare function of the state and in turn generating increased misery, inequalities and conflicts. This has provided grounds for citizens and civil society groups of diverse origins to express their resentment and advance claims in increased numbers. There has been an emergence and consolidation of global civil society which is believed to be bigger and wider, offering a positive response, even counterweight, to a narrow notion that linked globalization to economic processes alone. I would like to begin my discussion on GSMs with some theories relating to social movements. THEORIES OF SOCIAL MOVEMENT Typically, European social movement theorists tended to view contentious collective action through a Marxian lens, proffering structural analyses to varying degrees. However, a paradigm shift occurred which delineated old social movement theory (class based) from new social movement theory (culture based). I would discuss some theories relating to social movements like collective behaviour theory, resource mobilisation theory, political process theory, social constructionist theory, new social movement theory and the networks theory. Collective Behaviour Theory This theory states that social movements differ a little from other group manifestations, such as panics, crowds and crazes. Generally, this theory advanced the notion that social movements were little more than the most well-organized and self-conscious part of an archipelago of emergent phenomena, ranging from fads and rumours, to collective enthusiasm, riots, movements and revolutions  [8]  . There have been different approaches to this theory. Beginning with Symbolic interactionism which is a variant of classic collective behaviour theory wherein creative agency triumphs over structural determination, and the creation and interpretation of meaning are the key. This model views collective behaviour as the spontaneous development of norms and organization that contest the status quo, and provoke individual reactions to social disintegration, which then form into a general, collective response. Another version of collective behaviour theory parallels the overarching theoretical paradigm of structural-functionalism in an attempt to link broad, structural factors to specific occasions of collective behaviour unfolding in several necessary stages like, structural conduciveness, structural strain, generalized beliefs that provide meaning and motivation and events or actions that catalyse collective behaviour; physical mobilization of actors; and the absence or suspension of social control  [9]  . The third approach identifies Relative deprivation as the motivating force behind collective action represents another variant of classic collective behaviour theory. In sum, this concept stipulates that a group decides to act collectively when people judge themselves as lacking certain resources in relation to another group. Resource Mobilization Theory The demise of the collective behaviour paradigm came about during the tumultuous 1960s with the advent of new social movements. According to McAdam  [10]  , theorizing social movements as a response to social strain was problematic in that it did not take the larger political context into consideration. In assigning causation of social movements to individual discontent, collective behaviour was considered abnormal and apolitical. Resource mobilization theory arose during the 1970s as a response to the shortcomings of collective behaviour theory. It held that in contentious collective action, passion gave way to rational calculation, and the collective good acquiesced to individual gain as mobilizing factors. Thus, activism relied on the ability of social movements to muster resources and engage in planned, rational action  [11]  . In this analysis, activists were not considered under the sway of sentiments, emotions, and ideologies that guided his or her action; rather, coll ective behaviour should be understood in terms of the logic of costs and benefits as well as opportunities for action Proponents of this model argued that increased personal resources, the professionalization of activism and the availability of external financial support could adequately account for contentious collective action. The focus, therefore, was on resource aggregation, and facilitation by social movement organizations (SMOs), formal or professional organizations that identify their goals with those of a social movement. In contrast to collective behaviour theory, which focused on why collective action occurred, resource mobilization theory attempted to answer the persistent question of how social movements organized and mobilized. Political Process Theory The political process model developed as an alternative to resource mobilization theory. Here, the success or failure of social movements depended on political opportunities created by ruptures in the institutional structure and the ideology of power-holders  [12]  . Three essential components comprise this theory. The first demarks the political structure as an external factor not under the direct control of challengers, but critical to a movements success. The second is an internal factor: the organizational strength of activists, the product of interaction between movement members, leaders and incentives. The final component is McAdams  [13]  cognitive liberation, or a change in group consciousness whereby potential protesters see the existing social order not only as illegitimate, but also as subject to change through their own direct efforts  [14]  . Thus, revolutions owe less to the efforts of insurgents than to the work of systemic crises which render the existing regime weak and vulnerable to challenge from virtually any quarter. Social Constructionist Theory Social constructionism approaches collective action as an interactive, symbolically defined and negotiated process among participants, opponents and bystanders  [15]  . Central to this theory is, the concept is of framing, which describes how activists make sense of their social worlds  [16]  . Frames constitute shared understandings and identities that generate the trust and cooperation amongst activists necessary for collective action. In the context of social movements, frames dignify discontent, identify grievances and assemble the grievances of various groups  [17]  . Grievances are framed in three ways. Diagnostic framing identifies a problem as well as a target for action; and prognostic framing suggests solutions, including strategies and tactics specific to the target. Together, they mobilize consensus, creating a base from which movements may recruit; however, collective action is not the necessary outcome of this process. In order for people to act contentiousl y, they must have compelling reasons to do so. Thus, motivational framing provides inspiration and rationale for action  [18]  . New Social Movement Theory NSM theorists stressed that social transformation is mediated through culture as well as politics narrowly defined, that the personal and the cultural are as politically real as, and are not reducible to, power struggles in the state and economy  [19]  . As Melucci, observes, Conflicts move from the economic-industrial system to the cultural sphere. They focus on personal identity, the time and space of life, and the motivation and codes of daily behaviour  [20]  . That is to say, activists in new social movements turned their gaze inward, focusing on issues as they affected their personal lives, and pursuing social change through politicizing culture. Networks Theory The concept of networks helps to address the division created by a narrow focus on identity, as mediated through cultural analysis, in social movement theory. According to Castells, New information technologies, by transforming the processes of information processing, act upon all domains of human activity, and make it possible to establish endless connections between different domains, as well as between elements and agents of such activities  [21]  . Castells observes that, As people organized meaning around who they were, rather than what they did, the process of globalization relied on increasingly integrated networks of instrumental exchange  [22]  . According to Appadurai, the result of globalized communication and mass migration is the creation of diasporic public spheres, phenomena that confound theories that depend on the continued salience of the nation-state as the key arbiter of important social changes  [23]  . The electronic revolution has facilitated the g lobalization of capitalism; it has also enabled the globalization of protest, as Dyer-Witheford  [24]  observes: New information technologies therefore appear not just as instruments for the circulation of commodities, but simultaneously as channels for the circulation of struggles. Thus, social movements become increasingly global both in target and in form. The movements that oppose corporate globalization, like the Zapatistas and the Anti-Corporate Globalization Movement (ACGM), are prime examples of network-based social movements. My further discussions would primarily be based on this theory of networks in social movements with an emphasis on the rise of social networks in GSMs and their role in felicitating them. MEDIA AND GSMs In this part of my paper I would give a brief evolution of media as a tool for social change and would also discuss the use of ICTs in GSMs. I would give some examples of social media and would conclude this part with views of authors and scholars who are divided on the positive and negative role of media in social movements. MEDIA FOR CHANGE TRADITIONAL MEDIA Soon after the end of World War II the importance of mass media like newspapers, radio, cinema and television as accelerators in spreading ideas about progress and development began to be recognised. There are numerous examples in history where movements have been influenced by media. The issues at that time were more political than social but slowly, the same process was followed in carrying out social movements. It was already well documented how during War times radios and newspapers were used along with televisions to create a public sphere where people shared ideas and issues of common interest in a democracy. How leaders through their mesmerising speeches were able to instil patriotic feeling in their countrymen. These established norms gave way to the use of mass media in different social movements. In the Indian context one can find the use of such means during the Green Revolution, Family planning Communications. In Latin America, Paulo Freire (1971) used it for adult litera cy programmes. Even with the advent of the ICTs one can still find that the maximum amount of information dissemination in social movements, even today, is done through these means. May it be an environmental campaign or anti-corruption campaign, this mode still remains a dominant player in social change. NEW MEDIA: INTERNET The battles of Seattle, Washington, Prague and Genoa, with an unforeseen mixture of nationalities and movements, became world news. Interestingly, the new media seemed to play a crucial role in the organization of these global-protests. Internet has been widely used as a tool for social change and social movements in the recent past. I will illustrate some popular examples corroborating my statement. Zapatistas Movement Beginning in 1994, the Zapatistas used the Internet to turn a local dispute over land in Chiapas, Mexico into an international debate over the ill effects of corporate globalization. They incorporated their localized concerns over the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into an international agenda opposed to global economic policies that usurp national political sovereignty and recolonize debtor nations. The Zapatistas and their supporters worldwide thus fashioned an ideology that rejected neoliberalism, which for them refers less to policy or theory and more directly to degrading environmental conditions and escalating human rights abuses  [25]  . Thus, they used the Internet to weave a new electronic fabric of struggle  [26]  to rally support for their revolution throughout Mexico and across the globe. The Anti-Corporate Globalization Movement The Anti-Corporate Globalization movement built on the foundations laid by the Zapatistas, using the Internet to connect with social justice activists around the world, to serve as a forum for education and discussion, and to disseminate information unavailable in the corporate mainstream press. The Internet was also critical in the logistical organization of the massive demonstrations against the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Seattle in 1999. This protest marked the birth of the ACGM, which gathered within its folds other activist movements, organizations and networks. For the first time in living memory, possibly ever, many different grievances and causes were represented under one broad banner: social justice. Thus workers walked arm in arm with environmentalists, feminists, human rights workers, farmers, and fair trade advocates. The Battle of Seattle marked the beginning of a new form of activism: the new communication technology that made the globalization of capital possib le also spurred the globalization of protest and facilitated globalization from below. The Internet was instrumental in both shrinking vast geographical distances, and in disseminating a new sort of global consciousness. There was also the increased use of SMSs by the protestors in organizing and carrying out their protests. There were termed as Smart Mobs, though it is still not a major tool of social movement it has had its impact during the 1999 Battle of Seattle, 1992 Critical Mass Bicycle demos of San Francisco and September 2000 protest in Britain over fuel price rise. Many social movements relating to environment, health, etc. have taken post Seattle through use of ICTs, social networking, websites, etc. The Coffee Party on Facebook is one such example of a movement that was initiated and primarily carried out on the social networking site Facebook. Though these developments seem to hold both a bright future for social movements and interesting times for social movement researchers, nothing assures us that movements always make society more democratic  [27]  . Tilly advocates that, technological determinism ought to be avoided and that one should recognize that not all new features of soci al movements result from technical innovations but most of them from alterations in their social and political contexts  [28]  . Relying on ICT services also requires being able to cope with their risks and dangers therefore most 21st century social movement activity continues to rely on the local, regional, and national forms of organization that already prevailed during the later 20th century  [29]  . HOSTILE MEDIA One of the first detailed examinations of a social movement protest in the media focused on a mass demonstration held against the Vietnam War in Britain  [30]  . The demonstration involved approximately 60,000 protesters, most of who marched peacefully through the streets of London (with an insignificant number of protestors involved in violent actions). However, despite the overwhelmingly peaceful nature of the march, the media concentrated most of its coverage on the issue of violence  [31]  . There were differences between media outlets in their coverage; they were all united by the overall focus on the same limited aspect the issue of violence. The misrepresentation of this massive political rally, and the totality of the negative coverage across all media outlets led the investigators to conclude that such reporting poses extreme problems for democracy, which may only be remedied by some form of institutional rearrangement  [32]  . For any social movement to draw beneficial attention to its activities in the mass media, the first barrier it must overcome is the structural constraints of the medium itself. According to Herman and Chomskys  [33]  Propaganda Model, there are five filters through which all news must pass, that actively shape the medias content. These are (1) the size, ownership and profit orientation of the media, (2) advertising, (3) sourcing, (4) flak (criticism) and (5) anti-communist ideology, which can be interpreted as keeping the discourse within the boundaries of elite interests. According to Sidney Tarrow, The media are crucial in a social movements efforts to broadcast its demands. But the media are anything but neutral in the framing of activists concerns and events. On the one hand, the media provide a broad base for consensus formation that is difficult for movements to achieve on their own. On the other hand, while the media may not work directly for the ruling class, they certain ly do not work for social movements  [34]  . CONCLUSION The mass media is an important outlet for social movements, where the quality and nature of media coverage strongly influences how they are perceived in the public eye. It is important for social movements, whose transitional and adversarial nature weakens their ability to secure public legitimacy. Their outsider status, along with their usual resource-poor nature, means that traditional avenues of publicity are not easily accessible and forces them to rely on alternative methods to obtain media access. Traditionally, this involves some form of public spectacle like a protest to attract media attention. These activities have become accepted as mechanisms by which social problems are communicated in the public sphere, alongside public opinion polls and elections and they act as vital means by which citizens can signal their discontent  [35]  . Key to any social movements eventual success in reforming the current world order is its ability to garner majority support, which is severely restricted by the mass media. Global justice movements profess to want to mobilise entire communities worldwide to enable truly participative decision-making. However, if this is really the case, they need to consider whether the same media system that serves to naturalise and legitimise elite decision-making, can really encourage its antithesis, collective grassroots decision-making. It seems an anathema to even consider that by working on the terms set by the mass media, social movements are actually legitimising and tightening its hegemonic power over society, even while it simultaneously acts to de-legitimise or ignore the global justice movement. Therefore, it is time for social movements to take collective action. To start with, democratic media reform needs to be recast as an end in itself, a public good, not simply a means by which eac h movement can get its message out  [36]  . In this way, a media reform project can be linked to the wider array of social movements calling for a more equitable and participatory democracy.

Aesthetics Should Never Take Precedence Over Function Essay -- Archite

Aesthetics Should Never Take Precedence Over Function From the early Greek temples of yesteryear, to the high-tech autonomous buildings of tomorrow, the question of whether the function of a building or its aesthetics qualities are more important has plagued the minds of architects around the world. Webster's II New College Dictionary (Please do not use the encyclopedia or the dictionary to open your essay--way too high school.) defines aesthetics as "The branch of philosophy that provides a theory of the beautiful and of the fine arts" (18). The definition of Functionalism is defined by Webster's as "The doctrine that the function of an object should determine its design and materials" (453). Now, if the function of an object decides the type of design and materials used how does one integrate aesthetics into design, and moreover, how important are aesthetics to an architect? Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the greatest and most renowned architects of the 19th and 20th centuries, and while his buildings where lauded for displaying great artistic design, the issue of function was compromised by the blatant fact that his roofs leaked. This is because he let the aesthetics of his buildings become the focus of the structure, and neglected to adequately address the function of the building allowing for this problem to take root in his designs (Palermo, 4 Mar. 1999). As is apparent from Frank Lloyd Wright, there is a certain balance that has to be attained between aesthetics and functionalism in order for a structure to be appreciated as a successful building. Historically speaking, there have been many famous architects that have struggled with finding a ratio between aesthetics and functionalism. Le Corbusier is a good example ... ...ly overbearing, but at the same time remaining pleasing to the eye (Palermo, 6 Apr 1999). In conclusion, the debate between aesthetics and functionalism has been around for a long time. It becomes clear however, through research, that the first thing architects consider is function, and then aesthetics. It is because of this approach that aesthetics becomes somewhat of a by-product of the whole design process. By looking at examples of various buildings, it is apparent that aesthetics is important to structure and in many instances has been successfully coupled with function. But in no circumstance should aesthetics take precedence over the function and practicality of a building. It seems more likely that a happy medium between function and aesthetics can be reached, on a project by project basis, and then applied to the design process of creating the building.

Various Learning Disabilities Essay -- Diseases, Disorders

Learning Disabilities Unlike other disorders an individual may have, there is no quick way and easy way to confirm or deny a learning disability. There is no x-ray, blood tests, easy and quick surveys to help educators determine whether a learning disability exists. Many of the problems with identifying and assisting children with learning disabilities are to have knowledge of the various learning disabilities and how they affect students. The lack of information available to parents and teachers causes the students to continue to struggle in school and diagnosis for any disabilities to be postponed even further in their schooling. Finding reliable sources of information for learning disabilities is difficult. The subject is broad and many of the individuals offering information on the subject are doctors or professionals within the field of education. Similarly to the medical field, the opinions and research findings of the educational field very greatly between the researchers and what those researchers are attempting to discover or reveal. The term â€Å"learning disability† applies to a multitude of different disabilities. This term can refer to a specific disorder, specific disability, or a specific weakness within a student. Using the term learning disability is similar to grouping all people living in the United States as Americans. An important point of learning disabilities is they can occur with other disorders such as ADD or ADHD. This does not mean they occur with every disability, but can be present or contribute to a learning disability (Horowitz, Ed. D and Golembeski, Ed. M. par 9). The common learning disability in reading is called dyslexia. Reading problems occur in a student when they have difficulty unders... ...basics. 16 March 2012. Kemp, M.A, Gina, Melinda Smith, M.A and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. HelpGuide.org. January 2012. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/learning_disabilities.htm. March 2012. Pilgrim, Fionna. dysTalk. 24 July 2009. http://www.dystalk.com/talks/85-the-7-causes-of-dysgraphia. March 2012. Pirotte, OD, FCOVD, Patrick J., Brandon R. Fisher, OD and Andrea J. Baker. Children's Vision Information Network. January 2011. http://www.childrensvision.com/. March 2012. Tian, Stan. Health Guidance, Health Guidance for better health. 2012. http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12786/1/The-Causes-of-Dyspraxia.html. March 2012. Welding, Dr, Robert. MedicineNet.com, We Bring Doctors' Knowledge to You. 2011. http://www.medicinenet.com/aphasia/page2.htm. March 2012. Wilson, Dr., Anna. About Dyscalculia. May 2007. http://www.aboutdyscalculia.org/causes.html. March 2012.

Disciple Making Plan Essay

The mandate of the Body of Christ to make disciples has been established. The Church needs to embody in physical structuring and deeds what is necessary to make this happen. It is obvious we need to do whatever it takes to make that a reality. Therefore, we must put together a plan – a disciple making plan that embraces that vision with biblical truths that show the values from which give direction for that vision to follow. The structural and existing means to how this is to be done, also known as the vehicles that enable this to get accomplished must be examined. The different player’s views that steer the work as they sense the work of the Holy Spirit need to be defined and understood. And finally, there must be tangible means of measurement to evaluate the effectiveness the work. God spoke to His people through the prophet Jeremiah. It was during a time where the children of Israel were in exile. God was showing His faithfulness to His people during this time of being without. God shared His heart and how it all relates to having a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) says, â€Å"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.† God’s plan shows us He has a vision for us, His people. This is a plan for our benefit, future, and to give us hope. The same kind of plan should be what is put together within the church for His people. Scott M. Gibson and Warren Wiersbe write about the importance in what is preached and its relationship to the plan. They underscore the value of God’s Word and the need for us to develop a love for it. For the Word of God is to be the foundation as well as our life-long source that brings believers from infancy to maturity as we present it with love and grace. Each message builds upon the basis of which the plan is established.1 Vision The senior pastor has written the following as â€Å"The Vision Statement† for our church: â€Å"That the presence of God be around us, in us, and working through us to win the lost through the love of Jesus Christ. We believe all people matter to God. We want to see people saved, healed, set free, equipped,  empowered and serving as disciples, fully becoming devoted followers of Jesus Christ to impact the nations. We believe in the Father, we believe in the resurrection of God’s son and we believe in the Holy Spirit indwelling everyone, making all things new.† The senior pastor has been in this position for less than one year. My attendance and being a part of the leadership team is barely two months. Since that time, there has been only one formal meeting of the leaders of the church. However, personal conversations and public attitudes by the senior pastor have been expressed which will be how I will be able to answer the questions for this paper. This church has not had an attendance over twenty-five people in the two months I have been attending. The senior pastor gave each of the four leaders, or what he refers to as Pastors, a list of names of persons (and their phone numbers) that have at one time or another have come to the church and indicated this would be their church home with the assignment to reach out and call these individuals to invite them (back) to being involved with the church and its activities. These individuals are located throughout the greater Tampa area. This encompasses technically two counties and a considerably large amount of area. The senior pastor himself lives over one hour in driving time to the church facility. Another one of the pastors lives at least 30 minutes away. It is unknown about the socio-economic differences of the other pastors. The neighborhood of which the church is located is classic Central Florida with what appears to be higher middle class at one address and immediately next door, what would appear to be someone under more economic oppressive circumstances. The senior pastor has said he wants the neighborhood to be involved in the church. The church leadership embraces ethnic and social diversity and I believe the senior pastor wants the church population to also reflect this. The Central Florida population has a wide assortment of Cuban, White, Black, Pacific Asian and Asian Indian peoples. There is not a specific area of town that focuses on any one of these cultural groups. Thus, the integration of all these people is desired for the church’s population. We already have ages in this body ranging from very young children with little  to no Christian influences to a widowed wife of a former pastor. There are teenaged young people that have come from time to time. The majority of who has been in regular attendance has been mid-thirties to young fifties. The senior pastor has expressed his desire for these age groups be increased. World missions has been brought up as a desired form of outreach but specifics as to where and how has not been shown or provided for. My own personal work with various countries has been of the attention of the senior pastor but he has not asked about getting involved with this. Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV) says, â€Å"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.† The formal and clear vision for our church has not been provided to me. It is possible it just is something I am not aware of it because of my being with the church for only a short time period. It is hoped that is the case. Mel Lawrenz writes about the church that may have fragmented from transition of leaders, the plans or lack thereof, and or the philosophies within a church. Two important components for the church’s success are having cohesion and momentum.2 Thus far from what I can observe, this church is working hard to enhance and uphold these factors. I look forward to seeing the plan and its full execution. Values The church has been alerted to the heart of the pastor to be a church in unity. He knows with the ethnic diversity and having the different pastors and those in leadership roles can seem to portray a wide variety of approaches and ideas in fulfilling the call to make disciples. Nevertheless, he is calling for unity to be not only the heartbeat with the church but also be demonstrated so that those that come once will experience this deeper than just what may be perceived. Psalms 133:1 (KJV) says, â€Å"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!† Our pastor wants the differences in us each to be the means to which gives us individual and collective access to those that join us in study, in fellowship, and ultimately in worship. Of course, this is all possible by remembering the importance of God’s peace  to heal and overcome any and all preconceived world based issues that could arise. Having such ethnic diversity and living in a culture such as Central Florida, the need to establish a true and lasting bond of peace is critical with our congregation. Paul said it best in Ephesians 4:3 (KJV), â€Å"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.† The growing together in faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus in unity is what our church wants, not just for itself, but more importantly for the overall well-being of the membership. Ephesians 4:13 (KJV) says, â€Å"Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:†. Walter Kasper writes about the call the church has to be the church of unity. He points out that this is not a result of mere chance or happenstance but by the divine work of God’s Holy Spirit to the lives of the believers and into the life of the church as a whole.3 Views In the writing of Aubrey Malphurs, the church in first years of the new millennium is not the same church many of us grew up in the mid to late 1900’s. The church is not considered the central point of reference for faith and the expression of that faith.4 Our church is not any different than this assessment. The members all come from different socio-economic backgrounds which results in different interpretations of the people and their respective roles as a part of the work and workers within this specific Body of Christ. The church is seen in probably the narrowest of views in that it is seen to only include those that are under the roof at the current facility. That would extend to literally the people that are there at any given time as well. The senior pastor is clear to point to the other three he has designated as Pastors. He is looking to their contributions in nurturing, teaching, and shepherding the members as a whole and a separate list that he wants each pastor to be associated with. There is one problem – the people do not know they have been put on these lists. The beginnings of groups is taking place but the groups have not been formalized that people can relate to. The addressing the church body as God’s Saints is met either with casual acceptance and understanding or it is considered too â€Å"Christense† which results in losing its effectualness. The  Gospel does not have a consistent strand in meaning. The understanding and education as it relates to the first four books of the Bible being the Gospels and the fact we are referring to The Good News is not universally embraced by the congregation as a whole. This makes the work of Evangelism, the sharing of the Gospel both in word and lifestyle witness difficult to unite in as both a purposefully designed poster we are to uphold but also have the church communicate as one voice. There is not a deliberate discipling program or effort within the church. Although individual responsibility to walk out a life in the manner for which God has made available for us all, the church does not have the groups or education tools for making disciples. Leadership is a widely used and common designation within our church. This is partly due to the fact we have a small population. There is an encouragement to pursue leader responsibilities. Unless you are known to be either not a Christian or a not as mature of one that is preferred for such a role, the opportunities to lead and take charge of things is easier than in larger congregations. This church is committed to one another. They are looking for the manifestation of the goodness of His work in this place. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 & 2 says, â€Å"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.† This is very applicable to this body of believers. Vehicles Gary L. McIntosh writes about the steps taken to get a church to its next level. In a conversation he has with a colleague, it is pointed out that the church may be in good health but it not in good enough shape to show the true endurance necessary of a church that is going to go the full distance. There is a fine distinction between a church that is growing numerically and a church that is maximizing its potential in discipleship.5 My church is transitioning itself from a mainline denomination church to a fellowship of believers. Exactly what denomination the church is becoming has not been made clear. The senior pastor holds ministry papers with two different organizations. One of the other pastors has his credentials by an unknown to me association. There is one pastor and myself that has ordination with  the same board. Recently, there was a state meeting or conference of one of the two ministerial boards that the senior pastor is connected with. It was announced after the fact that there was an expectation of the membership to participate in this function. Because of members that are related to the senior pastor, they were in attendance and this satisfied his request. He is scheduled to be absent from a soon coming Sunday morning service to be involved in this group’s convention or some type of gathering. So far, there has not been any kind of ritual or conduct that is practiced or expected. We seem to be worshipping as one. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, â€Å"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.† There are no small groups – yet. Nothing has been formally announced but I could see how the senior pastor has laid groundwork in and through the appointing of three others to positions that could be small group leaders. The leaders live in geographically different areas which will benefit the area of influence we have. Unfortunately, the church does not come together for study in God’s Word other than Sunday morning service. Sunday School and Thursday night Bible Study is not bringing everyone in as desired. It was just announced some events that the senior pastor wants church wide participation in. These announcements have been made orally, not in print. The events are being coordinated by one of the other pastor’s wife. She has announced she will get members to contribute in these meetings. A â€Å"Fall Festival† was held last year (so I am told) as an evangelistic outreach. The senior pastor has announced that that will not be repeated but instead a Summer â€Å"Vacation Bible School† will be conducted just prior to the beginning of the public school year. The curriculum has not been disclosed. Workers have not been selected and it is not known what kind of preparations will be necessary for those that are involved with this. The use of social media, specifically Facebook has been said to be a means of communicating both to the current members of the church but also to encourage those seeking a place for worship. The church’s website does not seem to have updates or is kept current on the affairs of the church. Daniel Collison and Rochelle Nielsen Barsuhn give warnings of how the church of today has left the model of self-denial and looks to self-gratification instead. The value of the relationships Jesus formed and has called us to copy has potentially become minimized or even eliminated from the church’s structure. We need to never forget the importance in the following through of building with one another and the faith that is found in this.6 Verifiers There has not been any indication that there will be any specific tools to measure the growth or effectiveness of an outreach or program. The senior pastor has not made any reference to any means other than visual perception as to if the church has increased or decreased in membership and its grasp on Christian doctrine. A database has been created but who and what information it contains is not known. For measuring the church’s growth both numerically and in various areas of concern (i.e., Christian education, spiritual gifts in operation and various forms of involvement in service to the church and in evangelism), I would start with identifying the people that showed strengths and or willingness to learn in such areas. It would be important to understand what previous experience they may have. Attendance in classes and their participation in the various forms of outreach would be able to be monitored. Their performance would be evaluated to see what their giftings are in. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, â€Å"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.† Thus far, we have not had visitors or new converts. The existing church body does not respond to calls to commitment. Currently, there is not a church wide program that incorporates members in evangelistic outreach. There are individual efforts but not under the direction of the senior pastor. There are sources found on the Internet such as www.leadershiptransformations.org that work with churches and the strengths they already have to grow into stronger and better churches. As pointed out in our text book â€Å"Disciple Making is†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , concentrating on leading individuals to the Lord and assisting the maturing in their life with God is what we are  to be all about. Then, we can deploy them to replicate this process.7 There needs to be a deliberate effort by the church members to bring people into the church in order to hear the Gospel and ultimately receive salvation. If each member were asked to bring one person with them once a month, the church population would double. In order to keep these new members, classes would need to be formed to educate in ways of Christianity. Additional classes would need to be formed to further the disciple making process. From these classes, it would be hoped that ten percent of those attending would carry on the disciple making process. From those people, various forms of leaders and Christian workers (missionaries, teachers, pastors and etc.) would be set apart for such works. Conclusion This church has been primarily an extended family but has begun to evolve into a multi-ethnic congregation and diverse socio-economic backgrounds due in part to the merging of two of the associate pastors. The senior pastor has been encouraging members to reach out to church dinners and a church wide rummage sale. With the expected growth in people attending and becoming part of the Body of Christ, we need to put in place the disciple making process for both the current membership and those that will be coming. Act 14:22, â€Å"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.† Bibliography Collison, Daniel, and Rochelle Nielsen Barsuhn. Church in Translation: Vibrant Christianity in Your Time and Place. N.p.: Abingdon Press, 2010. Accessed March 1, 2015. .com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=10432028&ppg=82. Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is†¦ How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013. Gibson, Scott M., and Warren Wiersbe. Preaching with a Plan: Sermon Strategies for Growing Mature Believers. N.p.: Baker Books, 2012. Accessed March 1, 2015. .liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=10722483&ppg=116. Kasper, Walter. That They May All Be One: The Call to Unity. N.p.: London : Burns & Oates., 2004. Accessed March 1, 2015. /ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzI0Mjk2NV9fQU41?sid=fb0c38e1-4143-479f-874c- 0eaaaada1a24@sessionmgr4004&vid=2&format=EB&ppid=pp_170. Lawrenz, Mel. Whole Church: Leading from Fragmentation to Engagement. N.p.: Jossey-Bass, 2009. Accessed March 1, 2015.? .actiondocID=10307582&ppg=117. Malphurs, Aubrey New Kind of Church: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century. N.p.: Baker Books, 2007. Accessed March 1, 2015. /lib/liberty /reader.action?docID=10762835&ppg=16. McIntosh, Gary L., Taking Your Church to the Next Level: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There (n.p.: Baker Books, 2009), 196-97, accessed March 1, 2015, liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=10745538&ppg=88.

Minoan Civilization Overview

The island of Crete, which lies in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, has been heavily contested by differing civilizations over the past three-thousand years. But before first conquests for the island began, a civilization developed on the island to such an advanced degree that it would become Greek legend. These first civilized inhabitants of Crete have become known as the Minoans, named after King Minis. In the two-thousand years of the Minoan people, they rose from simple farmers to a great civilization that came to a tragic end. The island of Crete provides a unique environment that is well suited for unman civilization.Its location in the Mediterranean provides its inhabitants with a central location for trade and military operations between Greece, tally, Egypt, and the Middle East. The sea itself is rich in resources, the lands of the Cretan plains are fertile, and the southern coastal areas, with their massive cliffs, provided a natural barrier against invasion. The island 's climate is very mild, much like the coastal areas that surround the Mediterranean. Although the island has no major rivers and experiences long periods of dry weather, springs are overly abundant.These springs, which have decreased in umber, were a reliable source of fresh water for inhabitants of Crete. Another major advantage of living on the island was the large forests that used to cover the landscape. The first people of Crete came to the island during Neolithic times. These settlers may have brought crops and domesticated animals with them to Crete. It is unknown where these settlers originated from but archeological evidence suggests areas near Turkey or Syria. The first inhabitants spread quickly across the island, living in natural caves carved from the limestone rock that made up the island or in villages atop small hills.These Neolithic inhabitants developed many of the tools that other people living near the Mediterranean used, such as stone axes, obsidian and cheer b lades, sickles, bows and arrows, and stone maces. They also developed techniques for weaving wool into cloth using looms. As the Neolithic people of Crete began to move into villages on the plains and coastal areas by the middle Neolithic era, caves took on the role of burial sites for everyone from village leaders, to children, to the common resident.As the Neolithic age came to a close and the Bronze Age began, Crete experienced a period of turmoil that seems to indicate an invasion that triggered technological and cultural developments, such as bronze working, advancements in pottery and tombs. Evidence from Greek myths suggests that these invaders were refugees from lands in the north of the rising Egyptian Empire. It is possible that King Manner, the man who united Egypt, is the reason these people fled north into the sea. The period following invasion is thought of as the beginning of the Minoan Age, around BBC.During this period, the Minoan people began to form large cities w hich typically acted as independent city-states. Competition and inflict between these cities is not heavily evidenced, but it is known that during this Early Minoan age many immigrants from the mainland areas surrounding the Mediterranean came to Crete to seek refuge, much like the original invaders. This period lasted until approximately 2200 BC, after which the culture of the people of Crete shifted away from the independent nature of the city states to a more centralized society with power collecting in a few major cities that were spread across the island.During the Middle Minoan Age, kingdoms began to develop and the first Minoan palaces were constructed in cities such as Knossos and Patios. Minoans began to develop colonies on nearby islands, some of which are well recorded in Greek legends. These colonies may be a sign of over-population on the island of Crete, which was a consequence of the Minoan civilization's rapid decent down the slippery slope of farming.It is through these colonies that the Minoan culture would begin to show signs of influence as far away as mainland Greece and possibly Egypt In the later portions of the Middle Minoan Age, the Minoan civilization began to reach its peak. It is also at this point in time that seismic activity on and near Crete begins to show its tangentially dangerous nature to the Minoans. Several times during the Middle Minoan Age, palaces Were destroyed by the earthquakes or fire that may have been caused by earthquakes. It was around this period of destruction in BBC that the Greek's began to settle on Crete, but their presence was minimal at best.The Minoans would recover from these natural disasters and the civilization would continue to flourish until the Late Minoan Age, which began around 1550 BC. Around BBC, the volcanic island of There, only seventy miles north of Crete, exploded immediately following a series of earthquakes. The Minoan colonies on the island were buried under thick layers of volcanic rock and tsunamis caused major damage to coastal areas on the north of Crete and caused extensive crop damage on the eastern portion of the island due to ash. The inhabitants of Crete recovered, but the kingdoms were left in a weakened state.More earthquakes would strike the island potentially changing the landscape of the coastal areas. Some Minoan coastal cities on the eastern and northern parts of Crete lie below several feet of water, and in the Western parts of the island the coastal landscape actually appears to be much higher than it was in early Minoan times. The earthquakes may have also disrupted the supply of fresh water to Minoan cities. Wells, springs, and underground clay pipes all suffered damage due to the severe seismic activity. Knossos would grow to become the only major power on the island while other cities fell into decline.By BBC, the great city of Knossos, the last Minoan seat of power, was ravaged by war and conquered by the Greeks, ending the Minoan civiliz ation. During the nearly 2000 years of the Minoan civilization, their culture grew to influence other people in Greece, Egypt, and the Near East. There are several aspects of this culture and the most influential and historically important Of these are Minoan religion, architecture, gender's role in society, and crafts. The Minoan government was theocratic, with both the king and queen having prominent parts in religious and political affairs.The gods of the Minoan people, the most important of which were solar gods, would only communicate their will through the royal couple, who acted as the high priests and carried out religious ceremonies and political events. The kings and queens were also rated as divine beings following their deaths since they were considered to be the adopted children of the gods. It was also common for commoner and lower priests to experience a euphoric event by coming into contact with a sacred object such as a tree or a rock.Through these euphoric experien ces, they would simply see the face of their gods or see messages that were delivered in natural form by animals or plants. The architecture of early Minoan cities consisted of simple earth, mud bricks, stone, clay, and wooden buildings, with religious, political, or elite building being of generally higher laity. The home of a commoner was usually a small, rectangular room with a fire-pit in the center and a raised stone platform for sleeping in a corner. As time passed, these homes became larger and some had multiple rooms that could have acted as storage or private quarters.As for royal palaces, they Were typically constructed from stone and wood with the quality of workmanship varying from site to site. Whenever a palace was destroyed (typically by natural disaster) the new palace would be built directly atop the ruins of the destroyed structure. Dcord inside these complexes included culture of religious icons, murals, frescoes, and furniture that was designed to show the divine nature of royalty. These palaces also served as temples for the gods, which is evidenced by the close association between the king and queen and their patron gods.Almost all building would be covered in a limestone-based plaster and some would then be painted with a red compound. An aspect of Minoan culture that breaks the norm for other civilizations at the time is the importance of women in society. In almost all of the Minoan art work recovered from the ruins, women are shown in important political and religious roles. Many other cultures from this time period simply depict women as being responsible for raising children. This difference in views can probably be attributed to the significance of the female solar gods in Minoan society.It is also thought that the common Minoan woman shared equal social status as her male counterparts, which was quite different from other Mediterranean cultures, who placed most social importance on the men. When the Greeks wrote of the ancient civ ilization of Atlantis falling below the sea after a devastating earthquake, it is entirely possible that they were actually talking about the Minoans. The genealogy, complex social structure, and wondrous cities that the Minoans developed could easily be the source of inspiration for the tale of Atlantis, which was written 600 years after the collapse of the Minoan civilization on Crete.

Are Punchlines Necessary for Ads? Essay

Punch lines are the need for advertising the product as they are necessary for a product to be unique and be different. For example: â€Å"The complete man† which makes us remember the company Raymonds. Punch lines are important to make the customer remember about the product identity. It helps to recall a product easily. But it cannot rule the advertisement as ultimately the customer remembers quality and cost. Customer only sees whether he is getting the satisfactory service or not. Also after service of a product offered by company is important if the company is good, gets reputation and rules the market. Only attractive punchlines will not help. For example, if I say â€Å"Paanch matalab chota coke†, it will suddenly remind you the ad of coca cola (even though it’s not on air now). So, this way punch line increases the recall value of the ad but if your ad or positioning of the product is not perfect then you can’t expect your advt programme to be successful just on the basis of punchlines. It is very difficult to find out the right Punchline. Marketers have to select right words to form that sentences which can correctly express the positioning strategy of the brand. A bad Punchline can kill a good ‘ad’. If the Punchline strikes customers as attractive due to repeated exposure it ‘changes’ the mindset of the customer creating new set of beliefs. The Punchline represents the values of the company, benefits, attributes, features, quality, cost, special technology. If we really want to appreciate the value of Punchlines, then imagine an advertisement without any Punchline. It looks like a dumb. So basically the Punchline is the voice of the brand, which primarily gives out the minimum momentum, thrust to push the brand in the mind of the customer. A punch line has to have an element of surprise in it. Humour is also an essential aspect of advertising because a dose of laughter instantly connects the masses with a campaign. The main objective of advertising is to appeal to the consumer and a punch line should always be linked with the product. Also, there has to be something new, something which the people can connect with instantly. The best punch line strikes a chord with people and creates magic. But, certain good companies such as â€Å"Colgate† don’t have got a punch line but still it is ruling the market for years. Basically, the work of punch line is to own a space in the minds of customer and create some easy recall of the ad. But it takes a lot of imagination to come up with something as simple yet as effective as gale ki khichkhich from the Vicks campaign. Such was the power of this simple line that now, irritation in throat is called khichkhich by a majority of people. And it instantly connects the feeling to Vicks. This linking of products, or brand recall, is what makes a punch line successful. Products come and go, but punch lines always stay.

8 Tips to Stay Organized During College Application Season

As you prepare to apply to colleges, you might feel a bit like a circus clown trying to juggle a dozen bowling pins while also taking AP calculus. Or maybe not, but either way, there is a lot to manage and it doesn’t always come easily, even to students who have generally been very organized and responsible about keeping up with all their commitments in the past. Applying to college is a little different from most responsibilities you’ve probably had before. For one thing, the stakes are certainly high. If you’re successful, you will feel as though the road to your future is paved in gold, but if you’re not, you may feel you’re left to blaze your own trail. Beyond that, applying to college is generally something you have to do without a ton of oversight or guidance. Sure, you can meet with your guidance counselor and discuss choices with your parents, but ultimately it is you who is making big decisions about the future and you who is responsible for making those decisions possible. Finally, you have to do all this while also continuing to succeed in school and extracurriculars. You probably don’t have a ton of extra time, yet here you are, juggling this very important process that could determine your future. This is where comes in. We’re not just used to this frenzy; we actually thrive in it. Here, we unveil some of our top tips for keeping organized during the chaos of college applications. To learn about our top eight organizational tips for applying to college, keep reading. You are about to have a lot of paper to keep track of, and it’s best to have a system in place before it starts to pile up. If you don’t have access to some space in a filing cabinet at home, you can purchase a travel hanging file box or an accordion folder to get started. Start a file for every school on your college list and include in it everything you’ve received from those schools. Also add contact information for anyone you’ve spoken with there. Include notes about visits, pros and cons, and any other important information you’d like to be able to review easily. Also keep files for finances. There should be one file for financial aid paperwork and another for each scholarship you’re interested in applying for. These folders should contain copies of any important documents or applications, along with records of the dates you submit your paperwork. Finally, keep a folder for standardized tests. Include copies of your score reports so that you will be able to access them without needing to go online every time. Also include a calendar of test dates and registration deadlines. Procrastination is your worst enemy during college applications season. If you put off one task, it will only snowball towards the deadlines for other important tasks. There are many small ways to stay a step ahead, and if you are consistent with them you won’t feel as hurried when the time comes to complete them. Begin by staying on top of your college list as your interests grow and adapt throughout high school. Ideally, you aren’t sitting down to a blank slate your senior year and already have some kind of list in progress, even if only in your head. Also get ahead of standardized tests. Plan to take them initially as a junior and allow plenty of time for studying and retakes so that you won’t be stressed later on. Finally, you can get a head start on your personal statement by brainstorming about possible essay topics during your junior year, even before essay prompts have been released. Although you might not know the exact spin you’ll need to put on it, most essay choices are broad enough that if there’s something you’re really inclined to write about, you’ll find a way to make it work. Then, keep an eye out in August for the release of most essay prompts so that you can get to work on tailoring your ideas to them as early as possible. These days, with so much of our lives are governed by technology; this tip almost goes without saying. While you probably already know to put all important dates, deadlines, and other commitments into an online calendar, you need to go one step further and ensure that this calendar syncs across all your devices. Also be sure to set notifications to alert you to important deadlines and commitments with enough lead time to prepare. For example, if you have an SAT registration deadline coming up, it would be wise to set a notification for both the day before and then again for an hour before, just to be certain that you get it done. Synced calendars ensure that you’ll get these notifications across your devices and are bound to notice at least one before time expires. Your school’s guidance counselor may have valuable connections or insights into the schools you’re applying to. Make an appointment to meet with this person early in the year, before the mad rush begins. This also allows you time to seek input from other sources afterwards as needed. If your guidance counselor doesn’t turn out to be especially helpful in the process, seek out other trusted adults like teaches, coaches, or mentors. It’s important to have a large support network as you undertake college applications, and you never know when one of these people might be able to help you with important tasks or networking. Estimating your chance of getting into a college is not easy in today’s competitive environment. Thankfully, with our state-of-the-art software and data, we can analyze your academic and extracurricular profile and estimate your chances. Our profile analysis tool can also help you identify the improvement you need to make to enter your dream school. You have a lot to stay on top of, and editing your college essay can become a brain-numbing task. Of course you may easily catch large typos, but sometimes after reading and rereading the same piece of writing again and again, it all begins to blend together a little, and you’re bound to miss some little (or even big) mistakes. Avoid this by using an essay editing service. Having a professional read through your essay ensures that it’s grammatically and structurally sound, and the services generally start at fairly affordable prices. Check out ’s Essay Editing service to learn more. Everything is easier with a friend. Find a friend who is applying on a similar timeline as you and help to hold one another accountable for deadlines and other steps in the application process. Setting a notification on your phone might be a good way to remind yourself that the first draft of your personal statement should be done, but it certainly won’t invite you to a study date at the library to work on it side by side. Having a visual for what needs to be completed can be particularly helpful for certain kinds of learners. Put all colleges on your list into a spreadsheet that includes each of the various tasks and stages involved in the college application process, then check off the various fields as you complete them. For some students, it’s especially helpful to print this spreadsheet or create it on a large poster board so that it can be displayed prominently someplace that they will see it every day. Even for the most organized of high school students, college applications can be a particularly challenging time. The stakes are high, emotions have a tendency to run hot, and the process is almost certainly new to you. There’s no shame in asking for help, and hiring a professional to help you keep track of everything can be a smart investment. At , we offer a personally tailored College Application Guidance Program that pairs you with a personal admissions specialist who walks you through the process step by step. Our tech platform allows you to easily track deadlines, so that you’re certain you won’t miss a thing. We also offer the Pro Bono program to qualified students. Don’t let the college application process overwhelm you. If you take things one step at a time and up your organization game to ensure that there’s no last-minute frenzy, you will be able to tackle each step as the calm, cool, and collected applicant you are.