TV Evangalism???

[Redefine_Me]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching Joyce Meyer and TD Jakes. I am blessed every time I watch them. Although, I don't know if that really qualifies as TV evangelists. Really, it is showing tapes of their public evangelism, ya know. Just like Billy Graham. Ministering to thousands in an auditorium or whatever, and it is also taped and shown on TV.

oooo - TD Jakes just moves my soul sometimes. But, again, I am already a Christian - and as somebody earlier pointed out, Christians watching and their experience is different from non-believers watching and whether they are saved from it.

[kat8585]

As a whole, I don't care for tv evangelists. Having said that, I am already a Christian, but I can watch someone like Charles Stanley or John McArthur and get a real blessing out of it and learn something new and valuable to my Christian walk every time I see them.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

The OP is flawed because, once again, it paints everyone with one single wide generality. Generalities are from ignorance and do not reflect the individuals that G-d uses HOWEVER He chooses to use them.

It is WRONG to lump all TV ministries into one barrel and judge them all with such unBiblical judgment when none of us know the individual behind the cameras, their true hearts or what G-d is doing with them.

Sure, there are ones who are their for the own glory and preach unBiblical false doctrine. That is true behind PULPITS as well.

That doesn't mean that every preacher behind a pulpit is preaching false doctrine! How ridiculous. That's what the faulty premise of this thread is saying of TV Evangelists and it's dead wrong.

You have misread my OP as usual. I have not judged any TV ministry? I said I don't agree with most TV ministry for the reasons stated. I didn't name anyone specific. I said ministers, wither they be TV ministers or not will be held accountable for how they use the money God sent them. They maybe good stewards of Gods money, I don't know and unqualified to Judge. God will be the judge of this.

I never implied or said that all TV ministries are wrong. Reread the OP and slow down.

I have noticed that you are very quick to slash out at some one just because you don't agree with them or like.

If you have personal dislike or issue with someone, don't make it a public issue in these forums.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

My view on this is that TV evangelism is about as useful as a mass mailing; it's the cheapest and easiest form of advertising and if you mail out enough fliers, somebody will respond. What I have found is that most people who watch "Christian" TV are already saved in the first place.

Somebody mentioned the tired argument, "How much is a soul worth." That's not at all the point. Jesus already died for that soul, so it is of infinite, incalculable worth; He owns it, we can't buy it from the world no matter how much we spend trying to. The point is effectiveness. The Bible model of evangelism is one-on-one witnessing. Living for, walking in, and sharing your faith in the Living Christ is the most effective method of winning souls. It isn't glamorous, though, and it is a personal responsibility every believer has. Most of us would rather turn that responsibility over to TBN by the looks of it.

And that is the point I was making. I think there are some legitimate God inspired TV ministries...but my question is are they being good stewards of God's money that people send to them in good faith.

Its hard to believe that when some of them are spending it on lavish things for themselves. (Expensive Cars, Expensive Homes, Jet Planes, expensive jewelry, expensive clothing.)

A ministry should be viewed in the same way as a charity organization. If charities are asking for money then you notice them out buying expensive lavish items with it, then its going to throw up a red flag.

I can say the same about ministries that spend hoards of money on their Church building. Is this really furthering the kingdom of God or is it about pride and competition, what is the motive behind this excessive spending. As I said, God would much rather see us worshiping out of barns and homes then in multi-million dollar building. Ministers will be held accountable for their use of God's Money.

[Marnie]

And that is the point I was making. I think there are some legitimate God inspired TV minitries...but my question is are they being good stewards of God money that people send to them in good faith.

Its hard to believe that when some of them are spend that on lavish things for themselves. (Cars, Homes, Jet Planes, expensive jewelry, expensive clothing.)

A ministry should be viewed in the same way as a charity organization. If charities are asking for money then you notice them out buying expensive lavish items with it, then its going to throw up a red flag.

I can say the same that about minister spend hoards of money on their Church building. Is this really furthering the kingdom of God or is it about pride and competition, what the motive behind this excessive spending. As I said God would much rather us worshiping out barns and homes then in multi-million dollar building.

First, in America, peddling the Gospel has become big business. Like or not, in our consumer-driven society, that's the way it is. I don't begrudge successful ministers/preachers/Bible teachers their piece of the American dream. I don't think there is anything wrong with having a comfortable lifestyle. Doing something (preaching, teaching, selling insurance, whatever) honestly and honorably should be rewarded. However, having said that, in my life I had only two pastors, and latest one being my husband. Both these men of G-d have very similar styles of ministry. In the case of my husband, he is quite wealthy by the world's standards (family money) yet refuses to drive a car or live in a house that an average member of his congregation can't afford to buy. My previous pastor had the same outlook.

Second, I think far, far too much emphasis is placed on mass evangelistic events, like crusades and TV ministries. In terms converts, I think that these venues are the least effective. Many may "come forward" and "make decisions" for Christ, but where are they 5 years on? The problem in the latter half of the 20th in America has been an over-emphasis on these forms of evangelism at the expense of personal evangelism, the Biblical model. Yes, I think by and large too much money is spent on TV ministries. I can only say this based on the number of pleas I hear on TBS and other Christian networks. If they are doing the work of the Lord, then why beg for money? If somebody is so compelled to preach on air, let them get sponsors like regular TV' shows and spare the audience yet another marathon to raise money and pay bills. How glorifying to G-d is that??

Third, I see nothing wrong with a nice church building. I am not saying we should go overboard like the cathedrals of Europe, mind you, but I am saying, in the eyes of the world, the church building is "the house of the Lord," and as such should be as fine a building as a congregation can reasonably afford to erect and maintain.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

First, in America, peddling the Gospel has become big business. Like or not, in our consumer-driven society, that's the way it is. I don't begrudge successful ministers/preachers/Bible teachers their piece of the American dream. I don't think there is anything wrong with having a comfortable lifestyle. Doing something (preaching, teaching, selling insurance, whatever) honestly and honorably should be rewarded. However, having said that, in my life I had only two pastors, and latest one being my husband. Both these men of G-d have very similar styles of ministry. In the case of my husband, he is quite wealthy by the world's standards (family money) yet refuses to drive a car or live in a house that an average member of his congregation can't afford to buy. My previous pastor had the same outlook.

Nobody should be treating the Gospel as a business. Nobody should be out to make a profit of a ministry. I have no problem with ministries using some of the money to take care of the basic necessities.

I applaud your husbands outlook.

Second, I think far, far too much emphasis is placed on mass evangelistic events, like crusades and TV ministries. In terms converts, I think that these venues are the least effective. Many may "come forward" and "make decisions" for Christ, but where are they 5 years on? The problem in the latter half of the 20th in America has been an over-emphasis on these forms of evangelism at the expense of personal evangelism, the Biblical model. Yes, I think by and large too much money is spent on TV ministries. I can only say this based on the number of pleas I hear on TBS and other Christian networks. If they are doing the work of the Lord, then why beg for money? If somebody is so compelled to preach on air, let them get sponsors like regular TV' shows and spare the audience yet another marathon to raise money and pay bills. How glorifying to G-d is that??

The reaching the lost is and should be the focus. This is a command not an option. If this is not the focus of a church then there is a huge spiritual problem and obedience to God. To much emphasis is placed on self rather then others.

Third, I see nothing wrong with a nice church building. I am not saying we should go overboard like the cathedrals of Europe, mind you, but I am saying, in the eyes of the world, the church building is "the house of the Lord," and as such should be as fine a building as a congregation can reasonably afford to erect and maintain.

And I see nothing wrong with a church that meets the needs of the congragation....but there is a difference when Churches are building out of excess and lavishness and wants. While only a small fraction of their money goes to spreading the gospel (Street Evangelism, Home Evangelism, Missionaries, etc...)

You should check and see how much money your church is spending on directly spread the gospel. This is public information. If its like most churches its less then 15%.

God bless,

[Guest LadyC]

As I said God would much rather us worshiping out barns and homes then in multi-million dollar building.

really? that's funny, because i personally don't think God cares WHERE we worship Him, as long as we DO.

[Guest LadyC]

jedi, she said her husband is her pastor. i think marnie is well aware of how much is spent on spreading the gospel.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

jedi, she said her husband is her pastor. i think marnie is well aware of how much is spent on spreading the gospel.

Well let her tell us how much their church has spent on directly reaching the lost. ( Missionaries, Street Evangelism, Home Evangelism, Hospital Ministry, Orphan Ministry, Elderly Evangelism, Prison Evangelism, etc..)

It would be interesting to hear. Considering she says there is too much emphasis placed evangelism.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

As I said God would much rather us worshiping out barns and homes then in multi-million dollar building.

really? that's funny, because i personally don't think God cares WHERE we worship Him, as long as we DO.

And that was my point....

So why waist excessive amounts of Gods money on a building that has no value in the kingdom of God, while others around the world have not heard the gospel. Don't you think that is self centered?