The Latest Poll Results

Huh? A lack of creativity? Hang on, what am I missing? I would guess that people who read this blog are mainly in Christian TV or some cousin to it. We can either work to fix it or ignore the problems and cash the paycheck. But please, don't blame it on a lack of creativity. Even the lamest, dimmest, rut-bound people I have met (and worked with or supervised) in Christian TV have all had ideas on how to make it better, but they don't admit it in the office. It's not a lack of creativity. That is awesomely prejudicial. It is akin to saying that those idiots doing Christian TV are devoid of creativity, but dang it, if I could get their job, then you would really see something, because I am creative and they obviously are not. Trust me, it takes creativity to sell snake oil. You might not like it, but it that is your point of view. (Trust me, I don't like it either... truly I don't.) But change the funding model, where ratings have a role in programming decisions and you will see a new programming paradigm develop immediately. Joe Sindorf - Director of Media & Marketing - Grand Rapids First

I agree with Phil. The funding model HAS to be changed to be commercial!

As soon as shows and networks are bound by the same ratings as the rest of the world, creativity will inherently improve. Because you have to get eyeballs and participate in the ratings game to stay on the air. Then, if there is hope for the Christian TV quality, instead of just preaching to the already saved, millionaires and billionaires may step up and help fund this programming.

It needs to be subtle witnessing. Some programs can be neutral, and some can have a moral/Biblical message…but it doesn’t need to be in-you-face “Christian” programming. That day is LONG gone. I’m waiting for someone (maybe on of the “Christian” networks) to fulfill the Great Commission and tell the whole world about God and the goodness in life, not just the Christians.

No secular individual could stomach watching Christian TV…it’s probably even blocked from their TV sets. If cable does go to “choose” the channels you want, Christian TV is going to have a rude awakening, in a commercial environment. Secularly appealing programming with a moral or Biblical message, that is commercial (:22 min with comm. breaks instead of :28 min.) is what needs to be produced. Until then, you can just wait until current donors die off and the your show will.

I have work at a Christian-owned TV station, as well as in the Hollywood scene and for the networks. And it troubles me that ministries only do “what they know.” Myself, and people like Phil Cooke, can show you what needs to be done, and we’re both budget conscience. That is, if you really believe in the faith you talk of and not hide in your nice houses doing only what feels “comfortable.”

Sorry for the bluntness, but it HAS to be said. Holding back wouldn’t do anyone any favors, especially God.

Blessings,

Dan Nuckolls

creative director + producer

www.NuxxMedia.com

Dan,

 Your right on, but how do you get the TV stations to realize that! Right now, were stuck with programming that isn't commercially appealing and not even Christians are watching it...

 The quality is fine, it's the actual programming that repels viewers...

I have worked in TV over 20 years, both in christian and the real world (secular).  We need to tell stories to people as Jesus did...He knew who He was talking to.  He didn't tell Simon and James that he would make them "farmers of men", he said, "I will make you 'fishers' of men, because they were fishermen.  So it doesn't matter if you have 50 million dollars, people will not be interested, if they cannot relate.  Yes, more money can and does make the quality better, but it will not fix bad scripts, bad actors and weak production.  The gospel has the perfect message.  We need to make it as real to all people today as it was when it was written. James

It is so great to hear the differing views on these issues. At my University in classes and in life we as students are struggling with these same issues. I don't know what you guys think, but I think it's time that some encouraging, hope-filled programming with a positive spin be created. Something that steers away from the sin-based theology, saved or not, and create that which will inspire and re-direct. Stories of transformation, that feed and entertain.

We need to:

1. Change the paradigm of how churches/ministries are run creatively. (I worked for a BIG ONE that liked sparkling outfits...whoa!). Put a creative business/marketing/production model in place and TELL the "TALENT" what to do. Do directors and producers take orders from the actors? NO.

2.Brand, brand, brand effectively, ruthlessly and know, target and actually appeal to your market. Study your demographics constantly...why does the world do this and we do not. Christians, get a CLUE!

3. Fund it, make it, market it, sell it right or don't do it at all. Find, hire and PAY PROFESSIONALS WELL to make it happen. Again, this is what the world does...get a clue.

4. Is GOD not the source for all creativity? Tap into it without the over-spiritual heebie-jeebies.

5. Watch secular TV, movies programs etc. How do THEY get you to come back every week and watch their...crap? Find the "HOOK" and you'll be ahead of the game.

As you can tell this is a hot subject for me. All the preceding comments were right on and I can feel the passion for change. I don't have a definite answer to fixing the problem. I think with the right people in the right place...and the old ways/thoughts dying out, we can take this Christian thing to the next level.

Hmmmm... There is something to having the right people in the right place...lets all think/pray about that.

Russ Egbert

Awaiting the RIGHT PLACE...

I said in my last comment, "The gospel has the perfect message". Again, Christ as the model took what was only for the Jews in the Temple and took it out to the people who needed to hear it.  I have also worked for some BIG one's in the Christian world, I do not think they will change…they all talk about it.  I believe we have to go outside; maybe we change Christian media from the outside in.  Even with ourselves, on our resumes, it is the jobs we had in “the world”… Network jobs that make us legit, not the ones working in Christian TV. If you think I am wrong, take someone who has done 5 – 10 years in only Christian Media and see if they could get a job ANYWERE in Hollywood.  We all talk about them and their shows.  Believe me, no one comes to work at NBC and says, “Wow!  I saw a great show on this Christian network!”  I know.  I have worked there.James AxiotisProducerOrange County

How do we fix Christian Television?

I don't think that TBN and others have unprofessional programming in regards to production quality if that's what your speaking of..it's just programming that people won't watch. I'd love to see TBN change hands or a new station emerge that actually attracts viewship. I think Christian TV in general needs to take a good hard look at it's program line up and gauge who is really watching if anyone...I come from a Christian family and TBN is never on.....and that's sad because it's free if you have cable or satellite! The only reason we don't watch is because nothing is ever on!...I think church/preaching/ect type of programming needs to be stricken from the schedule completely-if people aren't going to church for that, they definitely won't volunterily watch it at home.

The real question: How do Christians regain proper influence in culture again ?

Interesting that most people do associate Christian TV with TBN and Paul Crouch.
Problem with Christian TV is much the same as with the Christian Music Industry. Read a great book from Mark Joseph called the Rock and Roll Rebellion, argument was WHY do we actually NEED a catagory for Christian music... I think "Godly" music should just be considered music that glorifies God sold through the same channels that secular music is?

From Amazon: Mark Joseph takes a very opinionated view that the "ghettoizing" of Christian music into the CCM substratum has had a severely detrimental effect on Christianity's influence in the wider marketplace. Some artists have been content to remain in the subculture, relying on the evangelizing efforts of their fans to bring the unchurched to their concerts and to spread the word to the mainstream. Others have longed to break out of CCM straightjacket into the world at large, to bring positive values to pop culture. Some have succeeded at this, with varying degrees of success. And some never were in the "straightjacket" to begin with. This book gives an excellent overview of artists in all these camps.

Funny how society MUST pigeon hole everything, especially media. If God wants to remove TBN from the stranglehold on bad TV He will. Trust me.

I can't believe that the people who took this survey thought that the number 1 problem was creativity!!  HA!  I think they are TOO creative.  To me, one of the church's problem today is trying to be too MUCH like the world.  They try to think like the world and they try to be like the world.  In my humble opinion, Christian TV has absolutely nothing to offer this society today in the way of salvation.  They are like infomercials, selling a product with a bunch of "creative" gimmicks.  "I've got this latest revelation and for a love "gift" of $29.95, I will share it with you!" 

The sheep are being fleeced and they don't even know it!  I'd say that's pretty darn creative!  If I could've voted today, I would have voted that Christian TV can't be fixed.  And some of these "seeker sensitive" churches are no better.  I heard an audio sermon and the guy called these churches, "Six Flags Over Jesus."  LOL  He hit the nail on the head!!

If we were busy being about the Father's business, volunteering to help the sick, the widows and the orphans, we'd be to busy to watch Christians TV to even know what was wrong with it.  THAT is the problem with Christian TV...

everybody's watching and nobody's "doing." 

Christians are bored to tears because they are NOT being about the Father's business and King David (on his rooftop leering at Bethsheba) proved what happens when we're not doing what we're supposed to be doing... we get into trouble.  When our divorce rate is the same as the world's... When our sin rate matches that of the world's... When our counseling rate is the same as the world's... When our widows and orphans have to go to the world for help... Houston, we have a problem. 

I know that there are those who are in an uproar right now... <grin> that's ok... prove me wrong in the Bible.

James 1.21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you[b] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world

I've done everything in the paragraphs above, I'm not sinless but I've been praying for a better way and a better day that I might KNOW HIM and I can tell you what - Christian TV doesn't help me get to know Him better - how sad. 

That's my 2 cents on the subject!!!  Thank you for your time.

Have a great day!!
Lisa

Maybe non-Christians should be given the poll.   Does Christan Television mean "Church Service on TV"  or a program like "Touched by an Angel"?  It's obviouse that "Chriatian TV has dramatically changed over the years. 

I work in Network Christian TV - and I hate to hear "producers" say, "I want this to look like MTV or Dateline."  Should'nt we as Christians lead the way?  I think funding is a problem.  Instead of paying real money for crew, graphics, equipment and so on... some try to cut corners to save money, in return, they jeopardize the whole project.

That's all I have time for. 

Great topic.

Phil

The movie Gladiator with Russell Crowe could have been a movie made by "christians". Good story, loved his family, fought with honor etc. Braveheart, another good one. Remember Little House on the Prairie? Watch it again sometime and see the subtlety. Touched by an Angel, good as well. Joel Osteen is close, he teaches more like a motivational speaker. I dropped some pretty good clues here... Make shows and movies that appeal...as Christians. Make programs that inspire and intrigue...as Christians. Stop making Christian movies, shows, programs etc. WE CAN DO THIS! Russ Egbert

The problem with donor supported programming is that donors are not a cross section of the potential audience -- not even of the Christian audience.  Donors are more likely to be older, and female, for example.  Programming that is supported by donors will almost inevitably come to appeal to the older and female demographics.  It's not necessarily a bad thing to have programming that appeals to this demographic.  But we are only kidding ourselves if we think this kind of programming will have much appeal to the segments of society more open to new ideas -- that is, younger people. 

 I think there are two or three models that can work to produce programming that is more appealing to younger people, and even non-Christian young people.  The first would be to buy spots on secular radio and television stations.  The Christian community doesn't necessarily have to do the hard work of figuring out how to build an audience.  Audiences are available that we can buy for fairly reasonable amounts of money.  This is radical, but imagine cutitng back the number of Christian radio and television stations by 50%, and using the money to buy time on secular stations.

To do this would require a change in funding strategy.  This could be called a "missionary" strategy.  I served with Far East Braodcasting Company, and have done some teaching for Sat-7.  Both raise money, mostly in the U. S. and Britain, and use it to produce programming for people in other cultures.  No fund appeals are allowed on the air.  Youth for Christ and every Christian college raise money from one constituency to benefit another.  I believe this strategy could be used to fund well produced material in the secular media. 

 Another model is for more Christians to get into the mainstream media and design programming that presents Christian truth in an appealing way that will build and maintain an audience.  "Touched by an Angle" is a good example.  This may seem impossible, but increasingly it's being done.  Biola University, for example, is preparing hundreds of young men and women to do this very thing. Graduates are getting into the industry and are making a difference.

Tom Nash, retired Biola University professor of Communication

"This could be called a "missionary" strategy."

-That still is a purely negative return strategy...a complete $ drain with no way of recupment...I don't see that as being a viable major way to put a lot of programming on the air..just my thoughts. I really think we need to have advertisers and sponsors finance the programming like the networks do. I think the advertising model is the best way to go commercial.

I'm also suprised that so many people are making reference to "touched by an angel"..that was not a show that was popular with the pop culture, teens, or anyone young. That's not the kind of programming that will get young viewers, which will impact our culture. This is the generation that loves the movie "Jack Ass", "Napoleon Dynamite", ect, neither of which have great production value, but have super entertainment value(Napoleon Dynamite is the most qouted movie of all time already, I believe)....Are Christian TV producers producing anything that will reach that audience?...that's the culture right there.

I think way too many people are harping on production value-I've watched plenty of Christian TV that had super production value but the content wasn't compelling and certainly not for young people...it's all about entertainment...myspace is entertaining millions with homemade videos..many of them shot on cell phones...there are people making videos in their living rooms that get more massive audiences than some cable tv stations...So how is "Christian TV" going to get this culture to tune it...realistically there are not, but if they are they better start paying attention to what people want to see...the customer is always right.

We are tyring to fix it for ALL Audiences. The young are important...but if you look at the demographics from a spending aspect... This is what will fund your program. Watch out not to go too young, you can alienate your older audience which has more cash. This is a business and should be run like one albiet with a high moral ethic that will glorify God. We are merchandising God. Plain and simple. Great topic, we should have a secret "fix Christian TV" conference. Russ

Love that idea - a "Fix Christian TV" conference. But the agenda might be too long... :-)

So I've read with interest some of the responses to my diatribe from
a couple of days ago. Again, it's interesting to me that I'm having
to defend one form of Christian media, on a Christian website, but
whatever. While I found all of the comments interesting, informative
and for the most part respectful, the one that stood out to me was
from Rand Chessir when he asked "What kind of fruit does Christian TV
bear?" (Or at least Christian TV as we know it today.) Well, I can
tell you first hand that TBN has received over 30,000,000 (thirty
million) first time salvation or rededication calls over the last 30
plus years. And that's just the ones who call or write in. This
doesn't even factor in the praise reports, healings, or the hundreds
of suicides that have been averted. I get to see first hand the
effect that this imperfect medium has on peoples lives, and trust
me , it is valuable and worth saving. (Even though Cookefan wants to
flush the whole thing and start over. Hmmmmmmmmmm) Now factor in
all of the other networks like Daystar, Cornerstone, Sky Angel, INSP,
LeSea and others...well you get my point.

It seems to me that many of you are watching a different TBN channel
than I am. We have diversified our programming dramatically over the
last few years. (Just ask Phil...he watches more than anyone, he
likes to "borrow" ideas from other ministries!) We've produced or
licensed more movies, documentaries, reality shows, stand up comedy
programs, drama series, and concert videos in the five years, than
the first 30 years of our existence. The other issue is the fact
that TBN sells 50% of our airtime to "national" ministries and we
control the other 50% for the "Praise" program, our movies, teaching
programs, travel shows, etc. It seems to me that most of the
complaints are about the "personality" driven "national" programs,
and we have nothing to do with those...other than air them! So in
some respects many Cooke fans are shooting the messenger and not
focusing on the source...and trust me, we only take the "best of the
best" when it comes these national ministries. If we accepted and
aired every show that was sent in, we'd all want to change
religions! I get to see the good, the bad and the ugly.

So my challenge still stands to one and all...if you don't like
Christian TV as it exists, then help make it better! Work with your
church on a local level, or bring your talents to one of the national
ministries then create and innovate! Discussion and debate are
great, but I get more excited about those who roll up their sleeves
and work to make a difference. All forms of "Christian Media" need
to get better, more diversified and culturally relevant. Let's stop
"blogging" and start shooting....there are hurting people who need to
hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Let's get to the task at
hand...God commanded it, and as Rand most eloquently stated, "By your
fruits....."

Paul Jr.

I watched a Veggie Tales DVD (Larryboy and the Bad Apple). My fist thought was that the production values were really good, superior to most Christian programming I've seen. I know that some people involved in Christian programming agree with me in that in that the show quality of most Christian shows are bad while others feel that the production values should take a back seat to the message. I can't help but wonder if the quality of Christian programming was better would groups like the American Family Association keep trying to instill Christian values on mainstream television programming especially shows with high ratings. The following Saturday I watched a Veggie Tales episode on NBC. I still understand why the network made the changes that they did. I think if they aired the episode without any changes there would be complaints from parents who don't want their children exposed to this particular religious point of view. Perhaps NBC might not get as many complaints as they did from the people in the "Don't change the show camp", then again they have an organization like the AFA to write their letters for them. I also think that if the network aired the show unedited they would have to open with a disclaimer, "The views expressed by these talking vegetables do not necessarily express the views of the National Broadcasting Company". Ultimately I don't think the values presented in the edited version of Veggie Tales do not loose their overall impact just because they lost their Christian brand. These values are universal and are not the exclusive domain of any one ideology.