IT'S TIME to REBOOT CHRISTIAN TELEVISION by J. Lee Grady
Lee Grady believes the time for preaching styles like
TBN's Paul Crouch has passed.
Among the legendary pioneers of Christian broadcasting-a
list that includes Pat Robertson, Oral Roberts and Jim Bakker-no one worked
harder to establish Christian TV stations around the world than Paul Crouch Sr.
In spite of constant controversies over his network´s content and finances, the
Trinity Broadcasting Network that Crouch founded in 1973 has grown to be the
largest and most profitable religious television enterprise in the world.
But Crouch died last weekend, and all is not well at TBN.
Crouch´s oldest son, Paul Jr., who at one time was the heir apparent of the
network, abruptly departed in 2011 and went to work for the Word Network, a
predominantly African-American ministry. The Crouch´s granddaughter, Brittany
Koper, in a lawsuit filed against TBN last year, claimed that millions of
dollars of donor funds were misused.
The Crouch´s grandson, Brandon Crouch, has lamented on a
blog that the family is now split apart because his sister was fired for
blowing the whistle on what she considered fraud.
And as Christian friends and colleagues mourn Crouch´s
passing (there will be no public funeral, but TBN plans to air a tribute on
Dec. 8 and 9), the wider Christian public is asking a lot of questions about
TBN-and about Christian broadcasting in general: Why is televangelism so prone
to scandal? Why have so many Christian broadcasters insisted on living
lavishly? Why is our most visible outreach to the world so embarrassing?
Some people might say this is not the time to have this
discussion.
But I think Paul Crouch´s passing signals the end of an
era-and it is time for a reformation. Crouch´s generation built monolithic
organizations with autocratic leadership, and broadcasters who began their
networks in the 1970s created a showy, bigger-is-better style that included
endless telethons, sensational preaching and celebrities in spotlights.
That may have worked in 1975-and it still appeals to a
segment of the market. But my generation and my children´s generation tuned out
long ago because Christian TV came off as fake, campy and spiritually out of
touch.
If I were asked to suggest ways to improve Christian
television in this new era, I would list the following:
1. Support it with advertising, not donations. Who said
Christian programming has to be donor-funded? I´d rather watch ads for steak
knives or dietary supplements than endure two hours of begging-especially when
the slick-haired evangelist running the telethon reminds you of a used-car
salesman.
2. Prosperity preaching shouldn´t be allowed. Networks
need to declare a moratorium on sermons that promise magical monetary benefits
to people who "call now" to give a credit card donation.
This type of merchandising of the anointing of the Holy
Spirit grieves God and drags Christian TV down to the level of scam artists.
3. Preachers-and their doctrines-should be more carefully
screened. Christian networks should not air programs by ministers who have
questionable morals. If we wouldn´t allow that person in our church´s pulpit,
why would we let them preach in front of millions on the air?
And don´t tell viewers that if they give in this special
"Day of Atonement offering," God will forgive their sins. This is
witchcraft!
Shame on any broadcaster who has allowed this garbage to
deceive audiences.
5. Money should never be misused. TBN makes millions in
donations every year-and the network has donated some of the funds to
charitable causes. But why is it that broadcasters like Paul and Jan Crouch had
to purchase lavish homes, a private jet and an enormous trailer for their dogs?
Donors should demand more accountability for financial contributions.
They also want teaching on relationships, sexuality and
practical discipleship. Christian TV must move beyond the talking-head style of
the 1980s. If we want to appeal to young viewers, the false eyelashes, pink
fright wigs and "Granny hootenanny" music will have to go.
Some leaders in the past generation believed that
ministries are like dynasties-that God expects the founder´s son to run it when
he dies. But there is nothing in Scripture that even hints at ministries being
passed down through family lines. God entrusts His work to faithful people-and
He expects us to manage ministries with integrity, humility and accountability.
Many of the disasters we have seen in American televangelism occurred because
men thought they could take ownership of the work of God.
Comment from Brenda:
Scripture: 2 John ; 3 John v 9-11; 2 Timothy 4 v 14-15
(These verses show that the disciples of Jesus did and should reveal those who
are causing problems.) It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that Lee
Grady has acknowledged the flaws in the Christian TV arena. After Dave Hunt
went to be with the Lord earlier this year, there was a gap to be filled by a
well-known pastor to confront spiritual error that abounds throughout the
Church.
It seems that Pastor J. Lee Grady is that man. We should
pray for his protection from some who would take exception to home truths being
exposed.
Prayer: Father God we are grateful that You have prepared
a man to stand in the gap and deal with areas of the Church that have wandered
from truth and integrity. We ask that Your full anointing would bless and keep
him from any harm. In Jesus' name. Amen.