These are excerpts from a larger article.

The Real World is not real

The MTV's Real World has a simple concept. The producers select a small group of young adults from vastly different backgrounds to live in house together for one year with a camera in their face. It was real life. Yeah, right. Once upon a time, people used to be on television because they were famous. Now people are famous because they are on television. Follow me here? Real World could not help but make celebrities. The camera took the real people and changed
them. The very act of observation made them actors. They stopped being themselves (the very novelty of the show) and they became character-types. Did this destroy the show? Hardly. It wasn't the reality of Real World that made it popular, but the greater illusion of reality. The show became self aware of its show-ness.

We live in a Real World world. People are concerned with hidden motives. Real World does not play "candid camera." The camera is in your face. The Church needs to allow the world "to be in our face," so we be honest with our motivation. We cannot trick people anymore with tricks. This generation requires a new level of self evaluation in order to gain respect and trust. If we skirt about the real
issues, if we put gloves on, if we try to market Jesus, then we come across as nothing more than a salesperson peddling another facsimile of abundant life. What makes the Real World real? The recognition of the camera's presence is to admit your point of view.
Image is not everything, it's the only thing MTV witnessed the shift of our value system from pragmatics to aesthetics. What is good is not always what works, but what is beautiful. MTV creates a good
image. When teenagers turn on MTV, the sounds, clothes, colors, and setting instantly drawn them in.

This obsession with image frustrates older generations to no end, it seems vain. But the Boomers birthed a generation tired of things not working, particularly their families. Image is not vanity, but a sanctuary. Just as many Boomers use money and their careers to hide, this younger generation uses image as a comfort. Somewhere along the line, the Church ceased to comfort people.

The Church of the 21st century needs to reclaim her image.
God knows the importance of image. We are made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) God made us to look like Him, to have His style. Paul goes on to say "For all of you who were baptized with Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Galatians 3:27) Ephesians 2:8,9 gives the death blow to pragmatic salvation--its not by works that we are saved, but by faith. Are you clothed in Christ, do you wear his name? We may laugh about how much this generation will pay for the
label on a pair of jeans; but they know the importance of claiming a name, even if it is Calvin Klein.

Identity is meaningful, transitional, and communal

MTV understands not only the need to identify with its audience, but how to give the audience identity. The teenagers are yearning for heroes, role models, teachers, and protectors. This search is ultimately to discover who they are as people. If they do not find these roles in meaningful friendships and in their family, they will turn to the glowing screen for identity.

MTV emphasizes that identity is meaningful. Identity allows us to communicate on a deeper level with people. Psychologists claim the primary foundation to forming healthy relationships is a solid concept of self. MTV preaches this three point sermon: 1) know who you are, 2) be who you are, 3) love who you are. This message is not an altar call to humanism, but a plea for healing from depression and feelings of worthlessness.

Most importantly, MTV teaches that identity is communal. MTV do not stand for the rugged individualism American society has long been cursed with, instead they value supportive kindredship. Everything works in teams. MTV's Real World and especially Road Rules (it's the Real World on wheels) are living lessons in team work. If the cast is to survive the series, they must learn how to deal with their differences and be a family. The VJ always work with a partner,
special guest, or the studio audience in front of the camera.

Like MTV, Church must not only identify with people, but give them identity. Too many believers love Jesus, but hate to associate with the Church or "organized religion." We can learn from MTV to strengthen our identity, one that must be meaningful, transitional, and communal. Has the importance of Church identity been taught and caught? Are we forgiving to communities in transition? Do we
allow for style and trends to adapt themselves to the surroundings? The Church is a warm blooded creature. Yes, we can adapt a changing climate. We need not hide away.

Jesus Christ did not come to kill our identity. He came to complete our identity by joining us to Himself. "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:22) Jesus the Son prayed these words to God the Father. Jesus gave us glory that we may have true eternal identity. Not that we will become spiritual celebrities, but that we will only experience the love of Christ in the Body of Christ. "To be one" is to experience holy love.

Everything the MTV culture needs to know about the Gospel

One important disclaimer: At its core, MTV is nothing more than an economically driven entertainment company. The Church is not in the business of being in business. We are not motivated by the sheep crying "Feed me!" but by Jesus commanding "Feed my sheep." (John 21:17) We minister because Jesus says to, not because anyone else does. We are not in the entertainment industry. Or if we are,
it is to entertain God-- to give Him great pleasure by doing His will.