|
Join our e-mail list! |
|
Just type your e-mail address below and
press submit.
|
|
|
| |
 |
| |
Print
TV or Not TV? That Is the
Question – Against Broadcasting on Television
The Staff of ninetyandnine.com
September 6, 2004
Apostolics using television
seems to be on the minds of many these days. Of course, some Apostolics have
been using TV for quite some time, but the
United
Pentecostal
Church
, the largest Oneness organization in the world, among others, has not.
It seems the older (or newer)
the Apostolic, the more understandable the anti-TV position is; however,
twentysomethings (our core audience) repeatedly ask us what the big deal is
about television. They seem to worry this stand against television (whether
owning one or broadcasting on it) makes us look backward and / or spiritually
immature.
It’s an interesting dichotomy
that we felt needed to be explored in a reasoned manner.
Some time ago we queried our
e-newsletter list to see who would like to participate in an e-panel discussing
Apostolics and television. These six readers accepted the challenge to best
explain their differing positions¾those
against, those
for, and those weighing
the advantages and disadvantages. For best effect we asked them to keep
their answers short and focused. Some questions were used in each group, while
others were modified for each position. (In a few cases, some questions were not
answered or the answers were redundant, so they were removed.) In all cases,
they were candid and forthright without being disrespectful to the other
positions.
After you read their thoughts,
we’d like to hear from you.
After all, no matter the subject, the body of Christ can always discuss and
perhaps even disagree, without being divisive.
The Panel
Mark Bassett is pastor of Apostolic Life Tabernacle, which he planted in
Milford
,
CT
in 1995. Bassett has been in engineering management in several automation
controls companies since 1982, and before that in nuclear engineering. He was
baptized and received the Holy Ghost in 1983, was licensed in the Connecticut
District of the UPCI in 1995, and now serves as Sunday School Director there.
Brian Berger lives
in
Fortuna
,
CA
, where he attends the church that is further
geographically west in the
US
than any other. He is an alumni of Gateway
College of Evangelism, where he especially dreaded forced singing at
7:15 a.m.
He does not sing specials to this day.
1.
What’s your position concerning Apostolic services being broadcast on
television?
Mark Bassett: According to some, Apostolic services are being broadcast on
television in some places. Our more immediate concern is whether we in the UPCI,
as a body, encourage and facilitate the use of the broadcast television medium
for one or more purposes, and several related issues. I am opposed to the use of
television, apart from minimal advertising of information about services times
and church activities.
Brian Berger: I am against the use of television in Apostolic homes. I
don’t separate them (broadcasting services or owning a television). Many see
us as having rules. These are not rules, rules punish, these are values—values
define our worth.
2.
Why do you believe this?
MB: Evangelism and church growth depend on investment of individual,
personal lives, not only the message being broadcast. While it appears to be
possible to endorse simple advertising, the church should be wise to anticipate
the problems that can result from excessive investment in televised preaching
and other services. History and experience show that many people who are reached
with a message, yet are not received into fellowship with personal ministry, and
who have none to disciple them, will not go on to a genuine Christian life. As I
see it today, we have no mechanism for dealing with many of the problems that
will come by emulating the actions of other church organizations which have used
television.
BB: The last area we have taken a
stand is television. It is an unfilterable medium. Even a snippet of news will
have products for sale that are not mentionable in mixed company, or will have
advertising that is so suggestive to be blushing. I remember when I had a
struggle with determining my holiness, my pastor preached a message—”We can
still blush!”—and we still can, and should.
3.
Disabled and shut-ins watch television to pass a day away (or the rest of their
life). Why not post some Apostolic services for them to watch and be blessed?
MB: Reaching and ministering to those known to be unable to move themselves
to seek for a place of worship is a very valid and acceptable use for video.
This is possible under our present agreements. I believe that we should do more
to help this process on local, national, and international levels.
4.
If you feel like it’s okay for Apostolic services to broadcast on the internet
/ radio, etc., to your mind, what’s the difference between those technologies
and television?
MB: There are vast differences between the internet and the broadcast
television medium that cannot be addressed in the short space allowed here. The
psychology of use, the programming and production industries, and the
relationship to daily life are all areas where great dissimilarities exist
between internet and television. Due to social and economic reasons, television
will exist as a distinct medium in the near future, though it will merge, more
and more, as an exotic subscription service delivered by the same carrier as
internet. Present day television exists almost exclusively for entertainment, is
extremely expensive, and is best used to reach vast numbers of people with
uniform programming material, with a “built-in” financing structure. To
endorse its use is to endorse the presence of this entertainment media in the
home.
BB: I am not in favor of cyber-church
either. I am leaning against the use of video except to enhance the speaker for
a large crowd also.
5.
We already have the technology to connect television to the computer (and vice
versa). One day many believe they will be one and the same. What happens then?
MB: This is a very important consideration. It is a fact that technologies
are merging and changing. At the present time, the UPCI has already been led by
God to choose the correct position on the diverse media. However, in the near
future, I believe that the internet will be available to serve as media to
deliver biblical truth effectively to targeted groups, within the reach of a
spirit, flesh, and blood church, to greatly increase our evangelism, teaching
and discipleship capabilities. The UPCI should be patient and watch these tools emerge. We are
already in the will of God through wise leadership coming to the present day.
BB: My cell phone has internet capabilities, and newer ones have GPS. (There
will) soon be a way to be watched and handled by the government.
6.
Why is television such a hot-button issue for so many Apostolics?
MB: I think it is obvious that, for many people, the use or agreement to
abstain from television is one important choice that is viewed as representative
of our direction as a people. It certainly is a central matter for an
organization.
Some people make the mistake of
thinking that all in favor of our standard of restriction on television also
regard the television viewer as unsaved. This is a terrible mistake. Indeed, our
standard is simply present to help bring consensus and power to brethren who are
united to lead people away from a life weakened by carnal influences. We believe
that those who walk in the spirit will eventually choose to refrain. Our
standard does not require condemnation of the weak, but encourages them with a
goal of better life. We have no cause, at present, to forsake this.
Our elders saw the television
as having little or no positive value in the home, and bringing in much that is
detrimental to spiritual health. Their view is vindicated as we have watched
television become the central information fixture, with many homes having
sometimes a half dozen sets, some of which are costing $5,000 or more. The
overwhelming use of TV is simply for entertainment, where individuals become
passive and subject to the ongoing flow of programmed material.
BB: They are unwilling to stand up and say sin is wrong. Easy to go along
with a crowd.
7. Let’s move into related areas. What
is your position on Apostolics running advertisements on television?
MB: I believe this is acceptable and even desirable. However, the local area
may have special considerations. Even though some would take advantage of
liberalization, attempting to put whole services “on the air,” we should
open the doors to conditional advertising, as approved by district government.
BB: It gives credit and
acceptance to use of television in other ways. Not a good idea to send a mixed
message.
8.
What is your position on Apostolics appearing on television (a talk show, etc.)
by invitation?
MB: I believe that Apostolics should be able to appear in any public media,
if they were being interviewed for reasons sincerely sought out by the public,
or those outside the church. Unfortunately, some would take advantage, again,
and arrange the appearance of interviews for themselves, in conventional
“PR” methodology. Even so, this is an area where the trust and relationship
between the district board and the individual minister can serve to moderate.
BB: At what point do we become not a guest, but a trophy of mockery? Even
the President of the
United States
cannot get a fair interview on TV. Do we need to be on Jerry Springer to save
the lost?
9.
What is your position on Apostolics appearing on television programming that
represents another doctrine?
MB: I believe this is wrong. When a performer (which is what the invited
guest becomes) appears where those who oppose our doctrine are in control and
have financial and organizational loyalties, he will be used for their purposes.
This has been shown in history and is common sense.
10.
Is there some
Third Way
to be on television that we aren’t
exploring—not services on television, not advertising, but some other method
where television could be used most effectively?
MB: Television, as we know it, is program material and advertising. As it
exists today, except in cable television systems with very limited viewer scope,
both program material and advertising is prepared and sold, and the program
material is generally prepared and edited so as to attract and certainly to not
repel advertisers. I think the UPCI should look forward to innovations in
internet use that will appear with emerging technologies.
BB: Yes, tell our members they would be better off without its influence and
time waste.
ninetyandnine.com
©
2004, ninetyandnine.com
----------
|
