A 2nd Look At Pat Robertson's Predictions - And The PR Issue

The evangelist believes his followers like the wig. It's his image, his money, his minstry so why should he listen to any consultants?

You can hire great consultants with strong history in secular media, as Pat has many a time, but hey their advice only goes so far, and the consultant's job ends up floating with the swans in Lake DeeDee.

I think you are correct, and there are many ways Pat could have taken the information he believes God gave him and shared it to his audience without causing a media frenzy. Or it could be that Pat is completely correct, and he saves the day in the USA, as I wrote about over on freedonuts.typepad.com (shameless plug!)

Phil you make a interesting observation and I must combine two responses into one. I am sorry that I cannot be brief, maybe I am too deep, or at least in it up to my neck. :) These media giants of the Christian world have built some incredible churches, universities, hospitals and of course media ministries. God’s blessings may very well have been upon their work. Most ministers are very driven people. Some are truly Charismatic and dynamic leaders, but all too often, I have seen and heard that some of these ministers are peanuts in a shell. The outer appearance is one of quality and perfection (that is why the hair piece and heavy eye lashes) while the inner being runs scared, fearing that someone will find out who they really are. Not that they are bad people, but like many of us they can be a harder judge of themselves as they look at the imperfections within. None of us would ever want to live under the spotlight these people live with. They preach to us to let go and forgive ourselves for our failings just as God does, but because they are in the spotlight all the time, they have a hard time receiving the same for themselves. One pastor I worked with could not handle any advice, because he took it as criticism. He tried to be an expert on everything concerning the church, just so he would not have to take advice. So truth be told, too many decisions and actions were flawed and his TV ministry ended. So I am not surprised that Pat did not confer with his close advisers about this issue. Does he even have any? Whether by an overly inflated ego and self importance, or as someone stated earlier, this older generation of ministers may still have to much of that doom and gloom outreach and just felt that he must communicate this impending evil. Unfortunately as some of your Bloggers expressed about Mathew Crouch in Oct., when you have been able to penetrate the wall these people keep around themselves for protection, we see some of the real person. It is not what we expected to see. Some of us take offense that they do not live up to our expectations or their Pius ministry appearance. Some of us can actually say “there but for the grace of God, go I” and move on. Phil commented on watching a football game on his new 42 inch plasma TV. He even placed a link to the specs for that TV. If this was really the TV Phil bought, then I might take offence that he spent too much money. How can this man of God waste so much money on a toy! He could have given that money to the poor! (Mat 26:9 AMP) For this perfume might have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor. (Mat 26:10 AMP) But Jesus, fully aware of this, said to them, Why do you bother the woman? She has done a noble (praiseworthy and beautiful) thing to Me. (Mat 26:11 AMP) For you always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. [Deut. 15:11.] But wait; did I just condemn him for treating himself and his family to the very same thing I would love to have, but do not? Did I not take into account that Phil Cooke is “NOT” a non-profit? Although he works with non-profits, he must hope that his business turns a profit :). I do take offence when true ministry money is wasted. I am sorry, but for the uninformed living in a $1.X million dollar home in California doesn’t mean squat. The very same house I would have paid no more than $70 to 150,000 for in Texas and expected to perform major remodeling to, is a $1.X million dollar home in California. Now if the price is closer to $10 Mil, then we may be talking about a nicer home than most, maybe even more than 1200 sq ft. Sure I personally would own a more practical vehicle that will get me where I am going without all the flash. But that is who I am. I prefer to see the extravagances as a person seeking and not finding, trying to fill an inner void with worldly toys. Think about his home life growing up. Being tossed into the world of TV at such a young age. Sure I would that they be filled with the Holy Spirit, thus eliminating these outward ventures. But then I ask myself, If any media person was so full, so satisfied that he could just sit as many Monks of past ages did, and bask in God’s glory, where would our TV and movies come from. Where would we be today. Actually I feel that is exactly where we are today. Ministries that take the “good enough for government work” or “good enough for ministry work” approach to the media. If a writer was not dissatisfied or hungry or filling a void, would they not seek to write a better script or book? If a pastor is so complete that they can sit back and say no more. “We will do no more in this ministry, because I am satisfied”. Sadly I find too many that are in this state. I would prefer that those moving forward would still have a void to fill, not spiritual of course, but in destiny. My Wife repeats to me over and over the Theodore Roosevelt quote “Daring Greatly” It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to he man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. I would prefer that anyone who performs a work in the name of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, would always work under the umbrella of “Excellence in Ministry”. Whether for profit or non-profit. I work in an industry that has coined the phrase “Trusted Advisor”. We pride ourselves in becoming that Trusted Advisor through the quality of our work, and the ability to gain the confidence of our clients. I know of media consultants that I would not hesitate to call for advice and guidance :). They do strive for that excellence in their work. Ministers are a tuff nut to crack. When they do crack we find they really are a nut in a shell. So if we judge them or ourselves by their/our fruit, what kind of nut or fruit are you? Funny, California is called the land of Fruit and Nuts, and lots of flakes! We must band together, organized or not to call all our Christian ministries into the “Ministry of Excellence”. Don Seitz Omega Ministries omegatv@omegamin.org

I have been humbled sir. I broke my own rule of communication – Short and Simple. Too much mind to hand and keyboard downloading…Forgive me!

Well said Phil.

From my experiences (some with you) working with many of these "pioneers" I've found that when they had done something a certain way for decades it wasn't easy for them to change with the times ("Can't teach an old dog...") and harder still to take advice from the young.

Staying long enough I've found another solution: It's easier to make contemporary and cutting edge changes when their offspring take over or have a more active roll in the media ministry.  This second generation are savvy with the internet ("my space") or are adults with kids that are - which introduces them to what's hipper and a desire to try something new.

Correct me if I'm wrong: the contemporary Billy Graham specials didn't start (several years ago) until after his children started having a more active roll.

Phil, all through the weekend I have been reflecting on the points you and the others originally made about Pat Robertson's presentation style as well as checking the subsequent comments to your follow-up to my question to you. Bottom-line, I appreciate the thought-provoking style toward increasing the depths of thought and spirit that such a web-site can achieve.

Having wrestled with my reactions to your original, and subsequent, comments I am currently of the opinion that - just as those in law and medicine use the term: "practicing law" or "practicing medicine", I feel that we should be "PRACTICING CHRISTIANS" (applying our Christian Faith and Christian Knowledge inward and outward with unending calibrations toward our respective goals).

I am still grappling and learning with this you have presented - for my learning. I still can't respond adequately. However, it's forever true, when we go from thought to literally writing it down, we (I) see so much more - "right" and "wrong" and just begin to learn toward successfully achieving God's next level for my life - and thus others. Thanks for this and I'll keep studying and practicing my applications with the "Real God" to "Real Life".

Mike