The Miracle Theater Takes Out Another National Ad
The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN, continues it's very expensive advertising campaign, promoting their petition "standing up" for Jesus Christ. The AP estimated their original USA Today full page ad cost nearly $100,000, and today while I traveled through Ohio, another ad appeared. At least today's ad was more of a statement, rather than an attempt to sell tickets, as I commented on in my earlier post. I appreciate their boldness and their desire to honor God. The question (as it nearly always is on this blog) is one of strategy.
First - did Kathy actually defame God in her comment, or was she actually honest? Are we being a bit too sensitive here?
Second - Is a confrontational approach really the best strategy? Do they speak for all Christian actors, as they implied in their first ad? Do we really want to make this a confrontational battle between us and them?
Third - Is it the best way to spend a couple of hundred grand?
We live in a free society, and we would all hopefully fight to the death for The Miracle Theater's free expression. But we also need to think about the collective perception of the faith in our culture. This blog is about how we use the media most effectively to express our faith.
How is The Miracle Theater doing?
Shoot. I'd typed out a nice answer and lost it to the black hole in cyberspace.
Basically, I said:
1) Yes and yes. Yes, she defamed God. Yes, the Christians responding so hurt and offended are being too sensitive.
2) They DON'T speak for me (I am a Christian missionary who directs a non-Christian theater company in a country other than the U.S., and a budding screenwriter and filmmaker), and I think they are doing damage to the cause of Christ for the folks who are laboring in the mission fields of the entertainment industry. Not permanent damage, but damage nonetheless.
3) I think their spending $200,000 for two ads regarding this issue is a HUGE waste of money. The general manager of the company was quoted as saying, "We have to start changing the hearts and minds of people on this subject!" My opinion? The only thing they're doing is hardening hearts and minds. Don't believe me? Look at the comments readers made in the link below:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&e ntry_id=20475
Finally, a message to the Miracle Theater: if you have another hundred grand burning a hole in your pocket that you're considering giving away to USA Today, contact me first. I could really use the cash to get my first film off the ground!
- Nate
Kathy's comment was a provocative joke. It's her job and her identity. Who can say whether God had anything to do with her winning. I don't claim to know the answer. God does weird things for unusual reasons.
The key thing here is the inconsistency. If she'd said "Suck it, Allah" or "Muhammad" there'd be a price on her head. She'd have to issue several apologies and go into hiding! But because it was "Jesus" everyone says "Get over it! No big deal." I do think the $90,000 ad was a gross miscalculation on the part of Miracle Theatre. But frankly, the fact that no one gives a dang about her blaspheming Jesus when they would about any other religion, just makes the truth of Christianity ever more real to me.
The best comedy is based in truth and the truth is that there many entertainment award winners and sports figures who don't live the best lifestyle or whose movies or music are morally questionable then they get up on stage and thank Jesus for winning an award.That's who Kathy was making fun of. I've seen a couple of people thank Buda but their sincerity was never questioned. It was not because Hollywood treated them like a sacred cow. Those individuals' lives did not contradict their faith. I don't remember hearing anyone thank Allah or Muhammad. If they did, were these people of questionable character? If so then they can be made fun of. It is not the deity it's the person thanking the deity that gets mocked.In comedy someone has to take a pie in the face. In satire the pie is thrown in to the face of an institution Political, Entertainment, Corporate or Religious. In this case the pie goes in the face of entertainers and sports figures who are hypocrites.
No, in this case the pie is thrown in the face of the one she told to suck it. The comments about who thanks Jesus or who He helps were not the issue. She went from jokes about a group of people who thank Jesus to mocking Jesus and rivaling His deity. I don't think she would have gotten such a warm reception from the audience or the press if she had said "suck it, _________" fill in any other religious deity.
This is just about respect for another religion... one that may not be your own. This is what many or our forefathers came to this country to find.
Since you brought up respect, respect is a two way street. Often I have seen Christians show a lack of respect for other religions or even other Christian denominations. Personally I say, "Hands off the deity but individuals (Public figures, Hippocrates etc.) are fair game". That's me and my right as an American. South Park, Family Guy and The Book of Daniel have all shown Jesus (usually as a good guy or a friend) and I have never heard discussions like I have with Kathy. Why do they get a pass? At the end of the day I am more offended by Ted Haggard than by Kathy.
Okay Phil, We are doing just fine. So far tens of thousands have stood behind us and more are joining by the minute. I am certainly glad that you have taken notice of all of this. I encourage you all to go and take a look at "our" press releases and find "our" quotes to see what our motives are behind this. Phil, I am a little disappointed in your comment just now: " At least today's ad was more of a statement, rather than an attempt to sell tickets." That wasnt our intentions as a cast the first time around. I gave you an opportunity to email me and hear it from someone on the inside but as of this moment you have not. To everyone out there: We have moved on to take the focus off of Kathy Griffin. If the media wants to present a "VS" story that is their deal. Our heart's desire is to draw believers together with one voice to stand up for our beliefs and our God. That is what this is all about. You can't get much closer to the horses mouth than here.
If you have given me the opportunity to e-mail you, then I missed it. Please feel free to comment further on the issue - we'd love to hear it. I've gone out of my way to make it clear that your intentions and motives were not the issue - it was one of strategy. So here's some questions - What exactly will you do with the petition when you're finished? Who will you present it to? What exactly do you hope to accomplish? What do you expect will change after you'd done it? Answers to those questions would be very helpful to other people wanting to change the culture, but who aren't sure where to start.
Hey Todd,
I'm just a regular visitor here, but I appreciate your comments and coming here to discuss the Miracle Theater's recent reactions to Kathy Griffith.
I wonder if you might do me a favor, and go to the other story on Phil's blog about this - the original story. On down in the comments section of that story a poster makes some pretty harsh claims about your company's financial situation. Could you respond to that?
Also, I am curious where the money came from to buy the advertisements. You can respond "it's none of your business" if you'd like, because it's really not, but I am curious.
Thanks,
Nathan
Nate,
I am not Josh, my name is Mike and I was the Technical Director for the Miracle. I left there in February to take on other projects but I am still very close to the Miracle and I can shed some light on your questions.
The financial situation at the Miracle is no real secret as the owner has had frank and candid conversations with the employees of the company. They took place when I was there and they still take place today. Bottom line is that with anything to do with God or the spreading of the name of Jesus, Satan is going to try to do anything to stop it! I am not going to go into the fine detail as I do not believe the owners of the Miracle would appreciate that.. but suffice it to say that as with any Ministry money is always in demand. The Miracle has fallen under constant attack either from outsiders looking in... or insiders who want to judge. Money is always and issue for me, I am sure you, and it would make sense that it would be for them as well.
I cannot tell directly where the money for the ad's came from as again I am sure the person would not want his name revealed... but the money came from a Private Donation and not from the company budget. These comments by Kathy Griffen and the entire issue was very strong and struck a chord with the donner as it apparently did with the entire country.
The Miracle is in NO WAY perfect. Neither am I. At the very least... right or wrong... they had the courage to take a stand for what they believe.
I can honestly say that I have not met many that are willing to do that. I hope I helped.
Mike
We realize as a whole the Christian's voice has been getting quieter and quieter and respect in our country for our faith is quickly disappearing.
To quote Russ Hollingsworth,
"It seems like Christianity is the only religion that it's acceptable to persecute. It made my heart sick to see people in the audience at the Emmy's laughing at Griffin's remarks. It should not be acceptable to mock anyone's faith. We have to start changing the hearts and minds of people on this subject!"
Do we expect to get "persecuted" and ridiculed as Christians? Absolutely, Christ even said we would. Does that mean we should be silent when it happens and not stand for the one we love? No. We should without shame do so. We do not hide who we are.....hence the photo and source from the first ad. Nowhere did we ever attack a single person. We may have used Kathy's quote because it was fresh news but she is just an example. We understand that there are those who are not of our faith that do not know of our passion for God when they speak out against our LORD but there is no doubt in my mind that there should be respect given no matter who you are.
So, we plan on taking the "Million Voices for Christ" to the national media, which by the way have been quoted they feel "our story is not newsworthy." However, there is strength in numbers. One million people speaking up together just can't be ignored. Personally, I know the responsibility I have been given straight from God's word is to speak to my generation which is going to involve confronting our culture. Our cast and leadership have spent many hours in prayer over the direction we have and are heading and many of us have been heavily involved in each step of the way. We want to see the hearts and minds of the media and entertainment industry changed and if they still refuse God then we want to at least see that there will be the respectful treatment towards Christ and our faith that He deserves from those mediums. Our goal is not to clinch someone's freedom of speech but to ask for respect of all people as we use that freedom.
Everything we have done has been out of love, not hatred. We have been very careful in the words that we have used. I also encourage all to go to the website and read all the press releases that we have put out there. I think you will see our strategy and intentions clearly.
I know one issue is the money thing. There are many things I could say to that but I don't feel like I have to defend it. As I was praying last night God laid two things on my heart about the matter. i will share those.....
1. Our company in the past has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to charitable organizations over the years from the needy across the world to right here in our country after Katrina hit. A truck was loaded and beat the national guard down to Louisiana. I could go on but that is enough said.
2. two passages of scripture come to mind:
John 12:1-7
Mark 14:1-9
I encourage you to read these to passages about the same story.
At the heart of it all with Mary then so long ago and now with us today: we want to bring glory to God, honor, and respect to and for Him. This is an opportunity for Christians to have their voices heard and stand for who we believe in.
The Hollywood rumor mill is buzzing with speculation that Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak and Comedienne Kathy Griffin are now ENGAGED. Exactly what they're engaged in, I don't want to know. "The thing is he doesn't realize," Griffin says, "is that I am the brains of the operation and he is like some dumb bimbo that I picked up!" http://www.therawfeed.com/2007/09/woz-now-engaged-to-kathy-g riffin.html
Josh,
Thanks for the response. I meant to write "Josh" in my message, but for some reason wrote "Todd". Sorry to you and to Todd, too (whoever he might be).
I appreciate your passion for this, and understand that you and your collegues wanted to "take a stand", and make a statement on behalf of the church. However, I just disagree that this was the best way to do it, and I don't think it was the best use of money. That's just my opinion.
Phil made the comment earlier that Christians are typically reactionary, and I see this as another example of that. Really, what good are these ads doing in making people not want to ridicule Christ? How will 1,000,000 signatures make difference in the big picture? It seems to me that the way that Christians can really impact culture is by supporting the Christians who are working in Hollywood, trying to get jobs with the studios and trying to write pilots for the networks - let them know that they are not alone, and that the Church is behind them in their attempt to engage culture at the culture's level. That 200 grand could have gone to support those Christians through the many different organizations out there trying to equip Christians to work in the industry - to start some sort of scholarships for Christians to go to film school, or something else.
Just my quick pre-coffee thoughts.
-Nate
did you even read what josh wrote?
Um, yes I did. Why do you ask? Nate
Whatever you feel about the issue, I'm really impressed that Josh got involved in the conversation. That's what we need to be doing - talking these things out, and not going behind closed doors. That's why this is a public blog. Not a lot of people would have carefully put their position out there like Josh did and I appreciate it.
I understand that the money hangs up a lot of people. I can't agree more. I think that it is sad that to present an alternate philosophy to the nation on that big of scope that we have to spend that type of money to get national exposure...
It has been nice to discuss ideas in this and the other blog. also nice to know we serve the same Savior and his love covers the multitude of our sins....
Josh, I have a lot of respect for you. It is an honor to be able to talk with you and bounce ideas off you, as well as share a stage with you...
Well.... I am going to go ahead and jump into this "Fire" and put my two cents worth in. I have been contacted by many people both past and present members of the cast and crew of the Miracle and other business owned by the head corporation. They have contacted me because they know that I have a unique view of the situation as the former Technical Director of the Miracle who was there in the begining until February of 2007.
You know... this ad has generated a lot of responses from massive support to massive hatred. I have to say that I personally have experienced both emotions when it comes to the Miracle Theater. On one hand I feel love and compassion for the mission that I was so much a part of from day one. One the other hand I have felt anger, sadness and frustration with some of the things that have taken place there over the past two years of existance.
I have been a Christian for over 30 years and have experienced everything from the totally genuine to fraud that is so over the top you could not imagine. The Miracle Theater in my opinion is a company that has the spreading of the word of God at heart. The overwhelming incentive there is to tell people about Jesus Christ. In my Christian walk I have run into "purists" who will correct you if you don't say the "Thee's" and "Thous" to those who have no black and white at all. They just live in a world of blurry Grey Matter.
I will admit that I was one of those people who was quick to judge the Miracle and its management for the Christian short comings that I thought I saw. Did they do everything the way I wanted?? No! Of course not. Did I want them too?? SURE I did. Point remains that regardless of the methods or motives.... is the goal here not to SPREAD THE WORD OF CHRIST? Are they doing that? YOU BET!
Regardless of the way I may personally feel about people or circumstance... the Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge Tennessee is doing the very best it can to do what Jesus Christ commanded us to do..... SPREAD THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL TO ALL THAT WILL HEAR. The way in which they do it OR the motivations that they do it under are inmaterial in my personal opinion.
Let me tell you.... I did not always feel this way. There was a time that I wanted very little to do with all things Miracle. I had my JUDGEMENTS and my OPINIONS and I had my way of thinking. I WAS RIGHT BY GOD! AND THATS ALL THAT I CARED ABOUT. All I did by standing firm on those convicitions was hurt myself. You see I have a tendancy to RUN from God. Anyone who knows God will tell you that when you are a child of His you can not run from Him because everytime you run FROM Him, you run INTO Him!
Point is that there is a "FIRESTORM" of controversy that has been stirred up by this national ad. Should they have done it? Would the money have been better spent elsewhere? Are they being combative? SHOULDA, COULDA, WOULDA!! I am not focusing so much on the MONEY or the MOTIVATIONS...... well... lets talk about that for a minute shall we?
MONEY: The ad's cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $90K each to place. There have been a lot of comments about the total amount.. " Oh.. that money could have been spent of so many better ways" or " How many people could $200K feed" These may very well be valid thoughts... but let me ask you this... " What do YOU spend your hard earned money on?" Rent? The Mortgage? The light bill? A new car? That new dress you cannot live without? Whatever it is, what part of your weekly paycheck do you send to feed the hungry? What part of your earnings do you send to provide a coat to someone who is cold? If you do?? GREAT! But how many of us actually do this? I know I fail miserably at it.
I am not saying that I would spend $200K on two single ad's. But I am also not going to sit in the comfort of my living room and judge the owner of that company for making a decision to act. I am not going to judge him for not "FEEDING THE HUNGRY" when I know good and well that " I need my money.... I can't afford to give any of it to someone else"! How hypocritical would that be of me?
MOTIVATIONS: Now I am going to be totally honest here and say that this area is where owners and I went our seperate ways. Back in the day, I did not agree with their motivations or methods. There was a comment on this blog about the Marketing Ploys that are used to sell sell sell. This is true! They do try to sell things. I had a REAL HARD TIME with this in the begining. However, you know over time God has this uncanty ability to teach us things you know?? He showed me that the ownership of that business has a right to support itself and the people that depend on it to feed their families. Someone whom I TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY RESPECT told me not long ago... " Does the owner not have the right to run a business that can survive"? "Does he not have the right to be able to continue in the mission that he has started out on"? These words cut me like a knife and God used those words to teach me something. He taught me to LOOK IN THE MIRROR. What I mean is "Would I do what I do for free"? "Would I be a lighting designer or production manager for nothing"? NO! NO WAY! I have a right to earn a living! Does the owner of this business not have a right to be self sustaining? YES! YES HE DOES!
Anyway.... I feel that the Christian community that is all up in arms about what has been done here may have lost sight of the overall mission that Christ gave us. That is to tell people about what He did for all of us.. sinners and all.
You have the people that stand on street corners and scream at the top of thier lungs!! You have those who go door to door. Then there are those who sit at home and say.. "Well if it were ME, I would do it this way"! Regardless of the methods.. are we not tasked with spreading the Gospel to all who will listen? "ALL WHO WILL LISTEN" is the key here people. As "Reactionary" Christians we tend to want to force Jesus down peoples throats. We want to CONVINCE people that it's our way or the highway. This is true in my opinion... it is JESUS or nothing! BUT!!! You will never find me trying to convince anyone that what they believe or not believe is WRONG!! That is not my job as a Christian.
Our job as Christians is to tell others what Jesus Christ did for US! What difference has Jesus Christ made in our personal lives? Where would WE be if Jesus had not died for us? Our job as Christians is NOT to FORCE FEED CHRISTIANITY down peoples throats... as so many "Churches" do these days. To convince someone that Jesus Christ if Lord is NOT our job.... that is God's job. Our job is to TELL PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST!!! Thats it! "Go into all the world and spread the good news"! not " Go into all the world and beat people over the head with the Bible until they cave"!
THE MIRACLE THEATER IN PIGEON FORGE TENNESSEE IS DOING WHAT WAS COMMANDED BY JESUS CHRIST. They are telling people what Jesus Christ means to them. They are NOT force feeding God down people's throats. They are not trying to CONVINCE anyone of anything! The Miracle's job is to "Open the Door" not to make people walk through it.
The Miracle theater has the respect of this Christian man. Regardless of why the Ad was taken out. Regardless of what the underlying motivations may or may not be? Regardless of how much money was spent! Point remains that they have taken a stand and made a decision to stand up for what they believe in.
If there were more people like them that were willing to put their necks on the line for what they believe... the country would be in a much better place.
PRESS ON MIRACLE!! PRESS ON DAVID!!
Sincerely and with respect...
G. Michael Smith
FORMER Technical Director
The Miracle Theater.
i want to say " thank you" to Josh and to G. Michael Smith. The important thing to remember is we are all humans and we mess up from time to time. These guys have been completely honest and they have nothing to gain for it. I see a huge difference between these two employees and the other two who seem to have a personal agenda in the things they are saying and so much bitterness as well. Call it discernment or call it "light and darkness do not mix." I really dont care which. I think those who did take to heart the comments these two guys have made will finally get the big picture! I have been so inspired and do not mind stating that my faith has been renewed by all of this. I definitely want to get down to TN to see what God is doing down there. There is definitely something to be said by the way one says things. God bless you in all you say and do.
This addresses the posts submitted for both ads.
I'm extremely disappointed in all the negative assumptions being made about this group of our fellow Christians. Who are we to say that they didn't pray about these ads and God gave them the go-ahead including the specific words to write? If God instructs someone to do something, should their decision to obey or disobey Him be based on what another Christian (like you or I) deems logical or appropriate? Of course not, but that's what some are strongly insinuating in these posts.
With regards to the cost of the ads, what if someone sponsored the ads for them or what if, they, as a group, have just been financially blessed? Based on the criticism of some, many other Christian individuals, groups and ministries would fall under the "grossly overspending" category. Producing movies would definitely fall under that category. Again, using the same logic of some who posted, we could also say, "Just think of all the Christian projects that could have been accomplished with all the money spent on making Christian movies." Bottom line: Isn't defending our Lord priceless?
Do we really know how the ads personally impacted the individuals or groups who read them (other than our own opinion and those of a few)? No, we don't. Only God knows how each reader was impacted. Instead of being tentative and suspicious about the group's intentions, shouldn't we just pray that, regardless of what their motives were, that God use the ads for His glory? He is the only one who knows the true intents of each person's heart. If the ad stirred up even one Christian to be more emboldened to stand up for Jesus, isn't that worth the money spent? Our individual relationships with the Lord are unique. To point a finger and say, "You're not doing it the right way because that's not the way I would do it" demonstrates outright spiritual arrogance.
It is true that Jesus turned the other cheek and taught us to do so. However, there were times that His actions demonstrated His repugnance for sin: John 2: 15, 16 (New Int'l Version) "So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"" In Matthew 23, Jesus confronts religious hypocrites and calls them "hypocrites", "fools", "serpents" and "vipers" to their faces.
Sometimes we Christians won't make a stand for the Lord because we just don't want to look like fools; we don't want to be embarrassed or rejected. This seems to be the concern here - what the world will think of us. If we're really taking the time to seek God's face with an open heart, does it matter what the world thinks? No wonder so many of our religious freedoms are on the verge of being yanked from under us. Look at the Jews, Muslims as well as other religious groups. When an individual or group offends them, they make a bold statement as a large, united group and on so many occasions, things change in their favor. How can we unite and have a powerful impact when we are so quick to tear down one another?
1 Corinthians 13If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
You know, sometimes.... scratch that.... ALL THE TIME God works on us to teach us what it is that He wants us to learn. I was the TD at the Miracle since it opened. I put in the time, blood, sweat and many many tears to try to make the message they were wanting to spread come true.
I left there in February because I took it upon myself to JUDGE them for a decision or a direction that they were exercising that I did not agree with. I got up on my soap box and said YOU ARE WRONG!!! AND I WANT NO PART OF IT!! and stormed out in a huff! This was my mistake. Not because I have changed my mind and now I think everything is ok. NO! I have not. I still feel just as strongly about the things that caused my departure as I did that very day. What HAS changed is the importance that I place on those decisions.
How important were they to the overall mission that we (as CHRISTIANS) have been tasked with? Is selling a T-shirt with your logo on it such a crime? Is trying to filter patrons through your other business wrong? You see I had a real problem with some things such as this and it prompted me to leave out of protest. I WAS WRONG... not them.
You see God taught me to get up in the morning and really look in the mirror. To look into my own eyes before I look into the eyes of others. There are people in the organization that I did not feel (and still dont to be totally honest) were what they claimed to be. "Posers" or "Frauds" run rampant in the Christian walk do they not?
Well in my opinion the Miracle has its fair share of those people. What the difference is now is that God has shown me that these people a NOT my concern. Who am I to get my panties in a wad because of my personal opinion of someone else? But is that not what CHRISTIANS do EVERYDAY of our lives? Judge other people by what OUR standards of what a "Christian" should be?
I am of the opinion that in the Biblel there is only ONE major point that God really wants us to get! JUST ONE! That is that without the faith and recognition that without his Son, Jesus as Lord of our personal lives we have no hope. There are no good deeds, there are no good people... it just won't happen. Without Jesus "They aint no body good enough"
This point is that this is the ONE AND ONLY lesson (again this is just my opinion) that God really wants us to learn out of the Bible before anything else. All the rest of the things in there are designed to lead up to that point. Or to show us how to live AFTER we have reached that point. But everyday I read on places like this web site or see in the media or WORSE I hear it from behind the pulpit... Christians one after another JUDGING other Christians for what do, say or think. I am not saying that Christians should not be held accountable for their words or actions but the question is... Accountable by whom? Us??? or God?
You see I was totally offended by what Kathy Griffen said. Did she have the constitutional right to say it? Sure. Should she appologize for it? Not unless she feels like she should. Did she offend me? YOU BET! But the difference between me and most is that I am of the opinion that her statements or beliefs (as with everyone else who has or ever lived or will live in the future) will be dealt with between her and God in what I believe will be a very stressfull one on one MEET YOUR MAKER MOMENT!!! It is not for me to jump on her and say things that only proove how "superior" I am! Or how she's wrong and I am right! Thats not my job people. My job (and yours if your a Christian) is to simply love her anyway.
We can stand on our self appointed pedistals and point our self righteous fingers at others and whisper (becaue we dont want anyone to hear US saying it) OR we can hide behind blogs or emails with a bogus name and no email address and JUDGE till were blue in the face. Where does it get us in the end? When it's all said and done, were right back in the same place and maybe we've made ourselves feel a little better for a while. Has anything been accomplished? YES!! You better believe it! What? well it might not be what your expecting.
I am of the conviction that by doing what I mentioned above that we DO accomplish things... just not the things that God wants us to accomplish. By doing the things that I stated above we become very successful at showing others what a Christian should NOT be. We become a success at driving people away from Jesus instead of towards Him. This is what an overwhelming majority of "Churches" are doing now... building multi million dollar buidings to try to "Bring the world to it" instead of "Going into all the world" When we as Christians hide behind the internet or do not have the courage to stand UP and put your name and contact information out there... yet we point our fingers and say "Look at him"! or "Look at what they are doing"! We are doing the very thing that Jesus does not what us to do. That is show the "World" or the non-Christian what it's like to BE a Christian and they are saying "I want NO PART of that"! "If doing what these people are doing is what it means to be a "CHRISTIAN"??? NO THANKS"! We are driving people away from our own family yall.
If Jesus Christ was to visit Pigeon Forge Tennessee today, where do you think He would go? To a Church? To the Miracle? He may... but I am of the belief that they would not be on the top of His list. I believe that He would go to the bars and to the meth labs. He would go to the jails and to the people that live under the bridges. I think He would ask those people a simple question "Has any of my children EVER told you who I am and what I long to do for you"?
I do not believe that the first place He would go would be to a Church! I am of the opinion that Jesus has no interest in swapping sheep for sheep! Jesus wants to touch people's lives that have never heard of Him before. That is what WE have been commanded to do. Be the face of Jesus in his physical absence. I look on these comments from Christians and I do not see His face. I see the face of the "CHURCH".
We are focusing on the details of what the Miracle did like "How much did the ad cost"? and " If I were the owner I would have spent the money this way"? and the one I really like is " What good will this do in the big scheme of things"? All of these are very valid questions....... IF we have lost sight of our jobs as true Christians. All of these questions sound remarkably like... " I think we should have the offering at the END of the service"! or " What do you mean we are going to sing contemporary music!! I WANT TO SING the old stuff"! or " We cannot have a set of DRUMS during worship!! We must have an organ or piano!! Because THATS THE WAY WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT!!" Sound familiar?
WHO CARES why the owner of the Miracle spent the money he did. WHO CARES if the underlying motivation was to sell tickets to the show. Is not the point here to do what Jesus told us to do?? that is to SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT WHAT HE DID FOR US? Is that not the reason we are "Christian" in the first place?
We all have our ideas of what we would do with $200k but the bottom line is that (we) dont have $200K to spend. He did and he felt stongly enough about taking a stand that he spent it. Instead of reaching out and HUGGING the man for making such a stand for OUR LORD we want to pick it apart and pull him and the Miracle down. Its a sad tale to tell that this is what the "Christian" community has boild down too.
Do I agree with everything the Miracle does? NO. Do I think that they are right in everything they do? NO. Would I do things differently? SURE SOMETIMES! But are they trying to do what Jesus wants them to do? ABSOLUTELY YES! And as long as they are trying to do that... they will get NOTHING BUT SUPPORT from me and I am not hiding behind some bogus name!
My name is G. Michael Smith and I am the Former Technical Director For the Miracle Theater. I live in Seymour Tennessee and my email address is mike@mijeevents.com and I am proud to call the people of the Miracle Theater my brothers and sisters in Christ and to call the owner my brother and friend.
God bless you all. - Mike
Phil,
You produce weekly television shows for televangelists, yet you are questioning the motives of the Miracle Theatre. Is it all about evangelism? Just a question…
Not exactly sure what you mean here. I work in the middle of a very messy business called "Christian media." Lots of people in that world have questionable motives, but that's exactly why I'm in there trying to make a difference. There are plenty of stupid drivers out there, but I still drive my car. Reminds me of people who say they don't go to church because "those people are too judgmental." Hmm, sounds a little judgmental to me... By the way, read the blog before you comment. Two times I've said I don't question their motives. I believe they were totally sincere. It's the strategy I'm putting up for examination. Was it a good idea? Was it effective? Will it make a difference? Those are questions worth asking of any effort to change the culture...
That was my point… You have worked with televangelists with wrong motives so you out of all people can discern this. You indicated that you are not questioning their motives yet, you make comments like "At least today's ad was more of a statement rather than an attempt to sell tickets." I honestly don't know what your stance is and what the purpose of this blog is.
You have always said; don't come to the table with criticism unless you have a solution. I haven't heard anyone give a solution other than to not do anything at all and it will all go away. I believe the problem is that more of us haven't stood up for what we believe in, that's why there's such a moral decay on television and in this generation in general.
If we as Christians go back to sitting in the four walls of the church and doing nothing, where will we be in 20 more years?
The recent Carl's Jr commercial didn't just go away because people chose to be quiet about it. It was pulled and revised because of a group of teachers found it to be offensive and protested.
If the Miracle Theatre heard a word from God to respond, who are we to say they didn't? Perhaps they were Spirit led. They might not have had all the details of their strategy worked out but I haven't seen any results of the impact they made good or bad. Does anyone know or is everyone just giving their opinion of the situation? After all, Abraham didn't go to a strategic planning seminar before God told him to just GO. I guess it's a good thing he didn't wait for one either.
We will always be looked at as the intolerant Christians, unless of course we become so culturally relevant that nobody can tell the difference between a believer and a non-believer. Does it have merit? I don't believe so… We have been called by our agent screaming at us for either refusing auditions or turning down jobs and accused of not wanting to do anything. In reality Daniel went out on 30 auditions the previous month. Did what they say have merit? Absolutely not! Did we make a different? No, but we had to stand for what we believed in as I believe the Miracle Theatre is doing.
Have we forgotten whose principles this nation was founded on? Have we forgotten where we came from? Back in 1766 a blasphemy law (state not national) was set in place. It was punishable by a fine and imprisonment, for Christianity was part of the laws of the land. In this generation anyone can say anything about our faith but pastors can be put in jail for teaching biblical principles about homosexuality. We as Christians are losing our freedom of speech.
Is it at all possible for Christians to come together for a common purpose or is it our job to cut the heads off of those that are willing to be bold and stick their necks out. It appears that we spend all of our time and efforts criticizing instead if making a difference. Phil, I have seen you, on numerous occasions stick your neck out only to have it cut of by other Christians.
So, to answer your questions… Was it a good idea? I don't think there is anything wrong with following your own convictions. Was it effective? Perhaps it's too early to tell. Maybe this is just chipping away on the hard ground in Hollywood. If in the future, the Emmy's lost 1 million viewers or advertising over this, it could be effective and make a difference. I believe the motives of the Miracle Theatre were pure and they don't deserve the criticism they are getting.
My best answer is: http://www.philcooke.com/confronting_culture
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