I Watch Christian Television
"Christian" television has so much "stuff" from man in it, that for the most part, I cannot stomach it. Specifically, the name-it-claim-it message that just won't go away in an age when it should have been gone years ago. I have a simple test for the teachings that are out there, and it is in the form of a question: "Will it preach in _________? (You put any developing country in Africa,for example, in the blank, and the answer is no!) If what is touted as 'gospel' or 'revelation knowledge' here, in America, will not preach elsewhere, why on earth are we broadcasting it in the first place??? As for the movies and other programs on the "Christian" channels--I think they are a better alternative to much that is TAUGHT. This is basically the reason I do not bother with "Christian" broadcasting. Sincerely. Teri
The only Christian tv station I get is LeSea out of South Bend, In. They've gone to airing more and more infomercials about vitamins, health foods and sending Jews to Israel on Eageles Wings.
The local Fox affiliate does air the 700 Club Monday-Friday though. I catch it now and then for news updates.
Mostly, I just watch CBN - the 700 Club. I not only find it uplifting at times, it often has pieces of news in it that one doesn't see anywhere else. The issue with the mega-church (now torn down) which was taken for the London Olympics. Yet, just around the corner, a massive mosque is being planned - to hold 70,000 Muslems. (the Christian mega-church had 12,000 members) It's being funded, in part, by various organizations which have been found to have ties to terrorism. I did some researdh on the issue aftwards - it's an appaling situation. On which I have had not heard in it's entirty until I saw it on the 700 Club.
There are times when I watch more - certain shows are good - very informative. Issues regarding Israel. The only thing that comes close is the BBC in that regard.
I find ity not only shameful but appaling there there are cogent news items that one doesn't hear or see on TV unless they go to a Christian station, or listen to the BBC Something like the mega mosque and what happend to the Christian church, although in England, is important for folks in the US for a number of reasons - not only in terms of how some of these things impact our (the US) relationship with carious countries, but also in regards to the EU. it should also be a cautionary tale - the lack of knowledge in the US regarding Islam and how it's changing the very fiber of our country.
While I dont watch much Christian tv, I think, if one is a Christian, they need to be aware of what they're feeding themselves with. There is no question that what one watches can impact one spiritually. What do they say, "garbage in, garbage out?"
Lynn
Outside of doctrinal oddities that seem to plague Christian networks, I find that a large chunk of Christian programming is gawdy, tacky, unbelievable, and down right strange. Christian television shouldn't be banned. But, the wholesale gold leafing of entire studio sets should. The financial appeals are poor and the sensationalism leaves me and our team with a ton of work to do in the pulpit and in training, re-educating people with a more faithful Gospel presentation..
Phil, here is an interesting article by Randy Robison that is a must read related to your poll … not sure when it was written but still valid and opens up a great discussion. I’d love to see more focused discussion here on this issue as I think people like yourself, Winter and others have the ability to effect change and know you have been working hard to try.
Why Does Christian TV Suck?
http://www.randyrobison.com/christiantv.html
“I've grown up as a Christian. I've grown up working in television. So why don't I watch Christian TV? Because it's irrelevant to my life... and I'm not alone.”
The crux of Randy’s argument:
“As long as Christian television remains beholden to the non-com network model, dependant upon the donations of viewers, Christian television will never change.”
Agree or disagree?
Has there ever been a truly commercial Christian Network? I guess Pax-TV now ION was the closest we’ve come or do you know of others?
I think I agree with Randy for the most part. Certainly there is good teaching & preaching in all flavors on Christian networks … but teaching and preaching shows with bad sets are not something I will ever kick my feet up and watch after work … I am post-modern, this does not inspire me :) ... or anyone I know in my peer group. (I’d be curious to know in a follow up poll to the one above what the gender breakdown and age breakdown is. I think the results would be rather telling.)
I do not agree however with his points on the PBS model having had a film air there, so I’m understandably biased to the network. I think the artistic quality and story engaging abilities of its documentary prime-time offerings is FAR superior to the assembly line slop of the other “PBS-type programming” cable networks. That is where I am perhaps more old school. Watch and episode of WGBH’s Frontline and then an episode of “Dirty Jobs” and tell me which is better … (ok, except for "Deadliest Catch" – that show is awesome! )
I have often wondered why Christians can’t pool their resources and create a PBS style model with solid emphasis on programming for the big and little screen. It would of course require some form of unity among the denominations, which is for the most part humanly impossible. BUT, consider a Christian network model that pulled funds from the biggest Christian foundations and givers around the world … that then turned right around and granted those funds to film makers to make quality programs that aired on its network – it’s the CPB-PBS model with the Christian versions of the Ford foundation, MacArthur Foundation, NEA government grants, etc. etc. thrown in. Imagine Frontline, Nova, etc, from a Christian World View … imagine producers who are Christians creating their own unique programming strands and not copying the secular for once.
Good stuff. Wait until you see my next book - it will answer all those questions.... :-)
Sounds very interesting and looking forward to it ... any hints on a title? Why not for your new book commission a modern day 2008 poll by Barna or other to determine what is the age, gender and race of the "regular" (1-5 hours a week) viewing audience for the top ten Christian networks.
For me it is several things. 1. The content is rarely relevant to me or my understanding of what it means to be a Jesus follower. 2. Gawdy, rich, overdone, arrogant appearing, critical, judgmental. 3. I'm tired of being begged for money. I just don't see that in the Bible. When did Jesus ever beg for money? 4. I find that many of the Christian shows are not transparent. They are masking. I have met very few people who are happy all the time. (And I think it was our host Phil who pointed out that there may be a genetic reason for this). 5. I am tired of the inability of the body to have open, balanced, reasoned discourse without resorting to judgmental outbursts, threats of hell, or my favorite - debating issues without any understanding of the subject. For instance, slamming the Harry Potter series and not every having watched or read any of the books/movies. Hello? That really makes us look good. Basically, for me, it's pretty much many of the reasons "outsiders" in the book unChristian state. Sadly. Remaining Steadfast, Dominique http://anunlikelyperspective2.squarespace.com
I think Christian television struggles for relevance.
Why invest money in Christian television at the opportunity cost of other mission activities?
What business model(s) can maximise outcomes for growing the local church?
We needed a massive brains trust to resolve these questions 50 years ago.
Why on earth we have pursued non-profit business models I have no idea. I know with my own church nearly everything we do well has been commercialised (books, music conferences).
Too little too late.
I'm not a big watcher of Christian Broadcasting. I'll occassionally catch Joel Osteen on Sunday morning while getting ready to head to church. I'll occassionally stop on a channel search if a show catches my eye in curiosity to see what a paricular ministry is doing or teaching and for me, more often than not, that has the feel of rubbernecking a car crash.
Here in Australia there is no compelling reason for my wife and I to purchase a cable subscription. It is available now but aside for the occasional game and doco's we wouldnt watch much. Our daughter would love MTV though!!!!
We struggle to watch all our free to air timeshifted shows as it is.
Phil - have you ever done a poll that asked: What do you do professionally? I'd be very interested to see that data compared to the data from this poll.
At this moment, 66% of those who took the poll either don't watch any Christian TV (but obviously feel they are expert on the topic) or feel that Christian TV should be abolished.
I find that weird. Not because Christian TV is so good, most of it really sucks, but if you hate it so much that you'd say you want it abolished (as 17% have done to this point) then why hang out at a blog that is written by a very smart guy (and a friend) who has been a consultant to many of the major Christian TV ministries, and which is peopled by many who are trying to make a difference in that industry.
I wonder if those who selected "abolish" it are coming from a mindset that we should be in the world, not of it. That is, they may want to see Christian TV develop into a product that can stand alone in the marketplace, and not have to be on it's own channel.
I am lucky to produce a local program that is aired on the ABC affiliate. We have a long standing relationship with them, and are their only local religious program. We reach a lot of people on that station.
(We are also pursuing outlets through a couple religious stations. Not because we think they are better, but because we want to reach as many as we can. Our program's purpose is to extend the ministry of the local church. We can do that with Christian stations as well as secular.)
Because the cost of Christian programming on secular stations is high (it's paid time, not a commercial program), Christian TV is necessary for some ministries to be able to afford their air time, and to even begin to reach anyone with their message.
I want it to change, to improve. But let's make it better, not abolish it.
Thanks for posting this poll, Phil.
I have a client that wants to sell a product via TV to the Christian marketplace. My advise was to look way beyond the Christian networks, Christians spend way more time watching secular TV.
Clearly, Christian television as we know it does not reach anyone south of the "boomers" ... and doesn't reach a large percent of us. I agree with the other blogger than 700 Club does some great news, I enjoy a few teachers on TV, but it's not where I spend the majority of the few hours a week I watch TV.
What Phil Vischer wants to achieve in terms of creative entertainment for children's [kids] TV network is what many Christians in media should be doing, full on creative media and not tweaking church for TV. I think (the current Christian Broadcasters) they are trying to do it but they need to ramp it up much more. Phil Vischer (amongst many other well known Christians) is a person that has truly understood what it means to be in the media as a believer. I wonder if Phil Cooke has done any work or met with Phil Vischer? Phil & Phil/Vischer & Cooke/Cooke & Vischer? Just stop.:-)
Phil Vischer is a great friend and we spoke together at the National Religious Broadcasters Conference in Nashville in March. He's a great thinker and creator - no question about that.
We don't own a TV. Our kids don't even miss it. We do have a machine that we watch DVD's on and that way, we get our own choice all the time.
Tim
The results by 4/26 are very interesting to me - especially showing the diversity of my readers. 16% watch 10 or more hours a week, 46% watch 1-10 hours a week, and 38% don't watch at all or think we should dump it. I'd be curious to know why you watch at the levels you indicate...