I recently attended a conference here in the UK focused on Christian Broadcasting – which overall was a great time. However 2 of the speakers had a bit of a “dig” at on air fundraising. The basic premise of their objection was that Christian TV (particularly) should not mix evangelism with fundraising as the fundraising in one way “invalidates” the evangelism – this was interesting territory and one that I have subsequently been considering and wanted to share my thoughts here.
The first thing that occurred to me was that the people who were saying this are not in the position where they have networks to run or the pressures of satellite bills to cover, multiple staff to pay etc. so really should they be commenting when they have not experienced the other side of life – I think the answer to that is yes so long as it is done in the right spirit and motivated by love – as this is a valid area for comment and debate.
When I moved on from this and started looking at what they were actually saying I found my thinking got more interesting. I think for me the first thing I would say is that undoubtedly Christian TV is for CHRISTIANS it is NOT primarily focused on evangelism. The role of Christian TV is in one sense to extend the impact of Church on a Sunday – to equip the Saints for the work of the Ministry – i.e. train them up to go out and be more effective witnesses for Jesus and the Gospel. Does this therefore mean that there is no role for Evangelism in Christian TV – absolutely not – there is a clear role for Christian TV to play here – in fact the vast majority of what I am involved in production wise IS evangelistic – why because there is little evangelistic programming made so we have to produce it ourselves – BUT that of course takes money.
Now a Christian TV ministry is not a church where it has regular attendees who tithe into it and through that it is able to meet its financial obligations and hopefully invest something into Missions at the same time. So Christian TV has to function differently. Most of the networks I know of have 2 main revenue sources – Ministry Sponsorship (i.e. a ministry will pay the network to broadcast its material) and Gifts and Donations – raised primarily by on air fundraising. The first no where near covers the outgoings – let alone allowing the network to invest in original content that is evangelistic – the second helps here substantially – so with no fundraising no evangelism – a bit like most ministries and churches.
The other thing I would say is that generally these fundraising events (which as I said above are primarily targeted at Christians) are confined to 2 or 3 times a year. They are also clearly sign posted as fundraising events and if any non-christians were to tune in they would have a very clear idea of what they were watching. I don’t therefore see a problem here as the messages are certainly NOT mixed up. I would say here however that it is not uncommon for Non Christians to tune in – in fact I was involved in a fundraising event last year where on one night 8 people phoned in and became Christians – and that in the middle of a Telethon!!
Coming back to the church model as an example – is that not much more mixed messages? Take my church for example, EVERY Sunday our Pastor will give anyone who does not know the Lord a chance to accept salvation – BUT also every Sunday we spend 5 – 10 minutes taking up the offering – given the arguments of the people who I heard recently this should not happen – or is it simply that Christian TV is an easy target?
I would therefore like to leave you with 3 thoughts that I would welcome comments on – firstly, we all need to be less judgemental and have more Grace – particularly if you don’t know the other side of the fence OR the motives of those you are criticising. Secondly – Christian TV is for Christians and like the Church until we find a better model to finance it will be funded by asking people to support its vision. And thirdly if we compare Christian TV to how a Church functions – its actually MUCH cleaner and much less of a mixed message.
So for those who want to take a pop at Christian TV for on air fundraising (by the way I don’t like it and never have – but it is a necessary evil – see my earlier blog) think about the above and also think about the massive investment some broadcasters make into original content which they would be unable to do without their telethons.
The first thing that occurred to me was that the people who were saying this are not in the position where they have networks to run or the pressures of satellite bills to cover, multiple staff to pay etc. so really should they be commenting when they have not experienced the other side of life – I think the answer to that is yes so long as it is done in the right spirit and motivated by love – as this is a valid area for comment and debate.
When I moved on from this and started looking at what they were actually saying I found my thinking got more interesting. I think for me the first thing I would say is that undoubtedly Christian TV is for CHRISTIANS it is NOT primarily focused on evangelism. The role of Christian TV is in one sense to extend the impact of Church on a Sunday – to equip the Saints for the work of the Ministry – i.e. train them up to go out and be more effective witnesses for Jesus and the Gospel. Does this therefore mean that there is no role for Evangelism in Christian TV – absolutely not – there is a clear role for Christian TV to play here – in fact the vast majority of what I am involved in production wise IS evangelistic – why because there is little evangelistic programming made so we have to produce it ourselves – BUT that of course takes money.
Now a Christian TV ministry is not a church where it has regular attendees who tithe into it and through that it is able to meet its financial obligations and hopefully invest something into Missions at the same time. So Christian TV has to function differently. Most of the networks I know of have 2 main revenue sources – Ministry Sponsorship (i.e. a ministry will pay the network to broadcast its material) and Gifts and Donations – raised primarily by on air fundraising. The first no where near covers the outgoings – let alone allowing the network to invest in original content that is evangelistic – the second helps here substantially – so with no fundraising no evangelism – a bit like most ministries and churches.
The other thing I would say is that generally these fundraising events (which as I said above are primarily targeted at Christians) are confined to 2 or 3 times a year. They are also clearly sign posted as fundraising events and if any non-christians were to tune in they would have a very clear idea of what they were watching. I don’t therefore see a problem here as the messages are certainly NOT mixed up. I would say here however that it is not uncommon for Non Christians to tune in – in fact I was involved in a fundraising event last year where on one night 8 people phoned in and became Christians – and that in the middle of a Telethon!!
Coming back to the church model as an example – is that not much more mixed messages? Take my church for example, EVERY Sunday our Pastor will give anyone who does not know the Lord a chance to accept salvation – BUT also every Sunday we spend 5 – 10 minutes taking up the offering – given the arguments of the people who I heard recently this should not happen – or is it simply that Christian TV is an easy target?
I would therefore like to leave you with 3 thoughts that I would welcome comments on – firstly, we all need to be less judgemental and have more Grace – particularly if you don’t know the other side of the fence OR the motives of those you are criticising. Secondly – Christian TV is for Christians and like the Church until we find a better model to finance it will be funded by asking people to support its vision. And thirdly if we compare Christian TV to how a Church functions – its actually MUCH cleaner and much less of a mixed message.
So for those who want to take a pop at Christian TV for on air fundraising (by the way I don’t like it and never have – but it is a necessary evil – see my earlier blog) think about the above and also think about the massive investment some broadcasters make into original content which they would be unable to do without their telethons.
11 comments:
Hi Graeme - Perhaps one of the main reasons people 'have a pop' at Christian TV is that they hear stories through other media concerning 'Televangelists' earning huge bucks, living in massively expensive houses and running fleets of flashy vehicles. They perhaps legitimately are wanting to ask... is that necessary to 'run a ministry'. When they then read of those ministries being investigated by the finance authorities, they could be forgiven for having some of their suspicions confirmed. Being judgmental is one thing, but accepting unconditionally the behaviour of some of these organisations is unwise and also, in my view, unbiblical.
Thanks Tim - very valid comment and generally speaking one that I think is worthy of note. However it wasn't actually this that was being commented on that I was addressing but rather the incompatibility between Evangelism and Fundraising on Christian TV networks (not the minnistries that air on them). I am aware of the challenges that mega rich ministers bring (and the current on-going investigations in the US) and I'll write some thoughts on that in due course. But what I was addressing here was the issue of Evangelism and Fundraising - and believe me the people I know that run these Networks here in the UK are CERTAINLY not using them to line their own pockets - I can't comment on those I don't know but it is ceratinly true of those I do - they have a desire and a passion to reach people with the Gospel and see lives changed and that is why they need funding and have to raise it in this way.
Thanks for your comment.
Graeme
Graeme I have been in Christian Television for the past 20 years. I too do not like the fact that you have to do fund raising on air. My question would be then, how else can you do it? The problem I have seen with people in the US and around the world is that we have trained them to give only when we ask. Thus the reason for the 5-10 minute speech every Sunday and Wednesday. We are conditioned to give when we are asked to give. The sad part is we have been asked so much that now we are hardend and we have to be moved emotionally to give. Pictures of orphans and dieing babies with soft music are used on a regular basis.
Many have resorted to the greed of those watching. "If you give $100 today the Lord will give you back $1,000. Here is a testimony of a lovely sister who gave here last $20 and two weeks later she got an unexpected check for $200 in the mail. Praise The Lord. This can happen to you too if you give today" It is tactics such as these that turn people off.
So back to the question at hand. should Christian TV do fund raising on the air? I say yes - they have to. It is a targeted message to a targeted market. If the audience does not want to loose the programming they will have to do their part to make it happen. this happens all over the world. take Little League Baseball for example - You pay a fee to join, a fee for the fields, a fee for uniforms, and so on. If you do not want to support it, you do not have to pay. But at the same time you will not play.
As you stated it is a necessary Evil. One that I do not see going away unless the general Christian public decides to give without being asked. - Good luck on that one.
Here is another thought. Why not create original programming that makes money. The world is hungry for good wholesome programming but all we give them is Sunday services and talk shows. How about a sitcom or drama that is high quality and attract viewers so sponsors would get behind them just as in other broadcasting. Just a thought.
Peace
Tracy
Hello Graeme - I hope I didn't miss the point when I say this but is there a way to directly address partners or past contributors to the networks? While making it clear that you're not asking for contributions from new viewers? At my church for example we tell new visitors and guests that we don't want an offering from them and that tends to help put guests at ease.
Also; maybe there's a way to specify where the money is going, you can show pictures of the new building additons and equipment that the money will be used for; when people know where the money is going it helps.
If you must raise funds two or three times a year you must make sure you differentiate between these special programs and your daily mission.
Let's also encourage one another to trust in our Heavenly Father to meet our needs.
Great thoughts Graeme, and your blog is a welcome addition to the religious media world. Your ideas will add a great deal to the online conversation about sharing a message of hope through the media.
Hi Graeme
Your topic is guaranteed to light a few fires in people's hearts. I think there are many interesting insights regarding this subject; like the fact that many will question the 'righteousness' of funding Christian TV, but few will ask 'Who' is funding it. That most negative comments arise from those who have never given, whilst those who give are quite at peace about the whole issue.
Back in the early 90's we had the unique experience of handling Benny Hinn's ministry for the UK & Europe (I guess he is as controversial as anyone could ever be). Whenever we put on one of his UK crusades it would cost approx £110K. The offerings, sales etc would amount to around £40-45K (I know, I handled the money) But this is the amazing thing, when the time came to tell Benny the bad news, he would simply say 'let's do it again, for it's not about money'. In the four years we managed his ministry we always made a huge financial loss. He never complained for he believed that he was responding to God's call.
Whether we talk Church, Crusades or TV it all costs money and like you I do not like that part of the deal. Clearly there are serious issues that have to be faced full on - from the overt abuse of some and at times many, to the need to somehow raise funds for quality Christian broadcasting that presents the Gospel truths with sincerity and integrity - that some might find hope.
I don't have time to watch hardly any TV, but increasingly I find that secular TV nauseates me and Christian TV is stil not getting to grips with its responsibility to seriously influence peoples lives. Keep up the good work.
Some good comments and some interesting perspectives - I think Tracy has a very good point when he talks about the being conditioned to give only when asked and that we have become hardened. I do think fundraising is a neccessary evil until we can come up with a different model. I do think that what Bob says as well is valid in that we do need to watch how we communicate to what we might call "new viewers" - though differentiating is not easy.
Claudio thanks for your insights here as well - I think one thing I take from that is that we often look at the surface rather than at what happens behind the scenes - there is no doubt many people get a great deal from Christian TV and if at the end of the day the downside is the fundraising - then a price worth paying? if only more "consumers" became "supporters" the fundraising techniques etc. might not be so difficult to watch.
I agree that fundraising is a necessary evil, and that it is all too easy for those not involved in Christian television to judge.
It is also true that most Christian television is watched by Christians, so we ought not to be entertaining them but equipping them. They can be entertained far more effectively by other channels.
Evangelism plays a part too in Christian television but I think its a smaller one. People who get saved watching Christian TV tend to be the desperate on society's fringes. Most non-Christians simply don't watch.
I believe it is far better to reach non-Christians through parables in other media like books, films etc.
Friends, here is another comment that was e-mailed to me. I think that there are some really valid comments and insights here too which is why I wanted to share it. I would just pick up on one SMALL issue - that of Joel Osteen. I'm guessing (I could be wrong as I've never been to his church) that whilst he might not ask for funds through TV - surely he does encouraging tithes and offerings in his church - which given its massive probably gives his ministry a substantial income and means unlike ministries who don't have large churches behind them - he doesn't need to fundraise via TV.
Thanks for all the great comments - please keep them coming.
Graeme
Now for the post that was e-mailed to me:
Not sure what I did wrong….Oh well…great blog you have!
Bottom line I think if it is a ministry then a non threaten non hyped up request for funds between programming is fine to a secular or main stream audience.
If it a business do what TBN and Daystar does sell airtime and commercials and run it like a business but quit that terrible “Beg Week” they are doing my heathen friends laugh about it and say that is what Christian ministries are about stealing poor people money. It hurts my heart to hear that since I have been a part of most big ministers one time or another and it hurts because I am on a first name basis with most of those personalities and they are doing better with material wealth than 99% of the audience. Not to say that is wrong but it does hurt creditability of the Gospel to a lost world whether we like it or not.
If God wants something to prosper He will let it prosper or if it needs to die because it might be a new season then he will pull His favor away from it. The problem is most people will not let the big machine die and eventually a scandal happens that hurts the whole body and it dies a slow painful death.
I do think what Pat Robertson does works because he does mostly neutral programming and it gives him creditability but when he sold to ABC family and made all that money on poor Christians backs that was wrong to pocket that in my opinion and that’s why I think his creditability of late is starting to lose ground. That money should have gone back into media ministry like God TV! J But that’s my opinion I do not judge anyone just their fruits and CBN has done great work as well as Jim Bakker old PTL network. Just different seasons.
When I ran EWTN for years we would just drop hints now and then for support and it would work we also sold product. It is now the world’s largest Christian network. Of course Catholics are different than protestants and their giving can be a work of charity that gets them out of purgatory! J We protestants are just too completive. God looks at our motives. There are fine lines and we know where they are if we are truly in prayer. Joel Osteen does not ask for money and it helps him with a general audience. He just got a 13 million dollar check for the advance of his new book. He earned creditability with the audience by not asking for money and people can see his true motives is to help them.
Have a blessed 2008 a year of new beginnings! Keep up the blog! We need it!
Carey
It's a difficult area. From experience I've seen how it works.
You can go on TV and lay out the vision, aks people for help - give them very valid reasons for partnering and the response it minimal.
However bring on an Evangelist who says that if you give then you will receive this, that and the other the phones go wild.
Why is this? Does this make it right to use these methods? I don't know. I'm not sure it does make it right.
Surely the problem is the very format of Christian TV - endless talking heads yelling at the screen/a congregation. How about using all the talen that exists in Christian TV to make qualityt progammes that can be pitched and sold to secular carriers rather than just pitching up and filming another conference?
The problem is that running a carrier costs so much money - is it really worth it? Why not focus on content instead of infrastructure?
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