The discursive construction of meaning across texts and media
The discursive construction of meaning across texts and media

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine how different texts and media contribute to the discursive construction of meaning in the context of a Christian church in the United States. Through a discourse analysis (DA) approach, this article analyzed a sermon (streamed live and recorded for an online repository), printed materials, and the website of the church, which includes images and video recordings. The analyzed texts exhibit a sophisticated interconnectedness that conveys a unitary picture structured through intertextual, synergistic, and strategic uses of discourse. The themes emerging from the analysis include the presence of the Gospel in everyday live, the functions of the opening prayer, rhythm and repetition, the use of the war metaphor, and the discursive construction of a “call to action” in the context of the values and mission of the church for a collective goal. Overall, the findings of this study advance the understanding of how church and preaching discourse is structured and how it structures meaning across different texts and media.

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