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Print
TV or Not TV? That Is the Question
– In Favor of 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 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
Samuel Smith was born and raised in the Assemblies of God, and first
received the Holy Spirit baptism in 1948 at age 11. In 1968, he was introduced
to contextual Bible study and Jesus name baptism by Rev. William J. “Ern”
Baxter, and was rebaptized in Jesus’ name. He has been a pioneer pastor of
three churches, Sunday school teacher of virtually every age group, and Sunday
school Superintendent, but has worked exclusively in print and internet media
since 1983.
Shana Blunt
was raised in Apostolic truth, growing up in a minister's home and attending two
years of secular college and four years of Bible College. Now, she is learning
the power of prayer and relationship through weekly Bible studies on the
fear of the Lord, and staying involved in various ministries at
the Calvary Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1. What’s your position concerning Apostolic
services being broadcast on television?
Samuel Smith: Let us claim the airwaves
for Jesus and not default them to Satan. Jesus said to “Go ye into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature.” This does not exclude
the couch potato TV watcher sitting with his or her can of beer who would never
darken a church door.
Shana Blunt: God is not limited by any
resource—He used the enemy’s own defenses in the Old Testament, a donkey to
speak for Him, and many other things. I think that television is a great way for
the gospel to be spread.
2. Why do you believe this?
SS: As a retired great-grandfather who
has been in ministry on and off since 1955, I have done much personal
evangelism, attended many house meetings and home Bible studies, but I find that
while these are good for those willing to participate, there are many who
basically are turned off by “religion” and would never attend nor allow such
a meeting in their home. But if a really spiritual, live Apostolic service came
on a secular station, many would watch it out of curiosity, or being too lazy to
change channels.
SB:
Television plays a large part of the way our society views things and which
direction they have taken, as well as a reflection of our culture. Putting the
gospel onscreen is a witnessing tool, a way to dispel some misconceptions about
who we are and how we serve God, and because people will have that choice to
change the channel, they might respond better when they can observe and listen
on their terms.
3. What is the great advantage of Apostolic
services broadcasting on television (as opposed to the internet/ radio, etc.)?
SS: When Jesus was ministering on earth,
what He said was far more important than the miracles He performed, but it was
the miracles that for the most part drew the crowds. The eye gate is a proven
means of communication and the prices commanded by even the briefest TV ads
proves that businessmen know the value of the TV ad. Think of one of your recent
truly spiritual Holy Spirit-empowered services in which healings clearly took
place, deliverance from addictions or other problems took place, and then put
yourself in the shoes of a couch potato TV watcher who is seeing something like
this live for the first time. They will watch and might be curious enough to
come to church.
SB:
Television is more popular than radio because it creates a total package. The
viewer doesn’t have to create a picture in his mind, like listeners to radio
broadcasts used to do. You sit and watch, and cannot help but be affected by
what you see, as demonstrated by advertising and ratings during certain
programs.
4. Television is not interactive; computers are—we
can reach people and they can reach back. Why is television going to reach
people better than the internet?
SS: Telephone numbers and calling
information is streamed across the bottom of active television programming all
the time with great effectiveness for businesses. While it is true that true
Apostolics do not offer a quickie “sinner’s prayer” after which people are
assured by the televangelists that they are forever saved, counselors who answer
Apostolic phones during and after a live TV service can tell the whole truth
about the Apostolic plan of salvation and invite the person with the pricked
heart of conviction to come and be baptized. Even an offer to come and get them
and take them to be baptized. The computer, though interactive, is less
personal.
SB:
Tracts aren’t interactive either. For a long time, ministers have suggested to
people to take tapes of certain salvation or deliverance sermons to people who
might not hear otherwise. Television is not different—and it’s not meant to
be the only source of spiritual food. But it will reach an entire audience that
might not listen otherwise, and it plants a seed.
5. If Apostolics broadcast services on
television, how do we avoid the televangelist caricature that much of society
holds?
SS: What is the difference between your
service and the usual televangelist’s service? No difference? Then stay off
TV! But if your services are empowered by the effectual, fervent prayers of
saints, anointed worship and singing by the worship leaders, and then truly Holy
Spirit-anointed sermons delivered with unction and power, followed by actual
spontaneous healings and deliverance without all the televangelist hoopla, then
the difference will be apparent and very effective. “Not
by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.”
SB: I
believe that enough prayer will go into that decision that if an organization
decides to place a person in the public eye representing our faith, that person
will have the mindset that the situation isn’t about their glory. And I hope
that those who back our ministers on TV will also have the backbone to remove
them if things get out of hand. We aren’t trying to create celebrities; we are
trying to reach outside of ourselves.
6. What about the great cost to produce
television? Won’t that create pressure to raise money instead of reach the
lost?
SS: If it is truly directed by God, then
the money will come in. If not, forget it. When the Holy Spirit told me to go to
the land of the Caucasus (T’bilisi, Republic of Georgia Biblical Tubal) in
1991, I said, ‘Lord, I don’t have the money, but if You provide, I’ll go.’
Between July 19 and September 7, well over $4,000 came in without my making more
than casual mention to churches. In fact, only three churches contributed small
amounts and the rest was miraculous and radical increase in my normal income
source. I left over $400 in cash and other currency with the UPC’s AIMer
Sister Maria Barlett before I returned home. If God doesn’t provide, and time
that should be spent in prayer and preparation of the word and worship is spent
on fundraising, the service won’t be worth airing anyhow.
SB:
They don’t have to be two separate things! We raise money to send
missionaries, for Mother’s Memorial, for a zillion other things. This is a
ministry, and I think it’s well worth the investment. It will cost us
financially, but if we are in agreement with God, He will provide.
7. Let’s move into related areas. What is your
position on Apostolics running advertisements on television?
SS: Great idea. Holy Spirit inspired and
well-written TV scripts with suitable picture clips should be very effective. If
it sells weed trimmers and cooking pots, why not Apostolic Christianity? And if
it is cost effective for the weed trimmer, why not First Apostolic Church?
SB:
I think it’s appropriate and timely, and can reach a wider span of people than
any other method we use could.
8. What is your position on Apostolics appearing
on television (a talk show, etc.) by invitation?
SS: If the person appearing is
well-versed in the scriptures and Holy Spirit directed, great. But I have
knowledge of Trinitarians who invited both well-qualified Apostolic Pentecostal
pastors and a knee-jerk Apostolic church tramp whose life frankly does not
measure up and the well-qualified pastors failed to respond, but the knee-jerk
jerk went on the program and made Apostolics look like fools, though he knew
many of the right scriptures.
SB:
It depends on what the talk show represents to its audience, and our motive for
being on that talk show. If the purpose is to let audiences know what we
represent and new methods we have incorporated, I think that’s fine. I don’t
agree with being on shows that debate how we believe, or are meant to mock us.
9. What is your position on Apostolics appearing
on television programming that represents another doctrine?
SS: “My Word shall not return unto
Me void, but shall accomplish that whereunto I sent it.” If we have an
opportunity to present truth and fail to do so, I believe we have failed our
Lord. I am always challenging various televangelists and “only believe”
tract distributors to truly study the scriptures contextually. I do this by
regular mail, email, and even telephone. The same sun that hardens clay melts
butter and wax. If the Holy Spirit opens a door, step through it before it
closes!
SB:
As long as we are allowed to state our faith in our broadcast, I have no problem
with it. I’m not sure all the people who appear on TBN are Trinitarian anyway.
Our doctrine has so many elements that are non-negotiable (one God, necessity of
tongues, baptism in Jesus’ name) I’m not sure that they would want us to be
on their channel!
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?
SS: Get to know the religious news
editors at all the news media in your community—TV, newspaper, local
magazines, shoppers guides and radio. Whenever anything happens that even might
be unusual or out of the ordinary let these editors know with a press release.
Don’t overdo it, be factual and honest, but let them know. They may be hurting
for something to write, show, or tell that week!
ninetyandnine.com
© 2004, ninetyandnine.com
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