TV Evangalism???

[backontrack]

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.

I picked up one of those mass mailing letters someone tossed on the ground. I just had to pick it up and open and inside was a prayer cloth from some guy in AZ. and it said how much money do you want just put the figure right here and send back with your offering. Crooks abide everywhere. God gave us a sound mind to determine who is right!

[backontrack]

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.

John Hagge preaches the truth

[backontrack]

I disagree with Television Evangelism due to the fact of the enormous cost to air those kinds of shows. I think that money could have be more effectively spent supporting thousands of missionaries around the world taking the gospel to unreached areas. Second most of those shows are not about evangelism but rather about Christian living, Church doctrine and such. Most if not all are not centered on reaching lost...so if you want to learn about Christian living get your bible out and join a fellowship. Christian TV does not equal fellowship. Why waste millions of dollars, just so you hear your favorite scripture and minister.

TV ministers will be held accountable by God of how they use and spend the money sent in good faith of the gospel. Including non TV ministers who build expensive glorified Church's in the name of God, while millions missionaries remain unsent and unsupported around the world. Most of the church money should be spent on evangelism and spreading of the gospel not rectifying buildings and building fitness rooms. God would much rather have people worshiping out of barns and homes rather then million dollar buildings.

Do you really think God is going to pat them on the back and say nice structured build, I like the gold trimming and tassels, I watched your TV show, I like your tailored suit, while millions of unsent missionaries can't go to the fields nor truly be supported because you have to pay the electric bill or air time. He is going to say depart from me you wicked evil servant, because you were given much but in return you went wasted it on worldly things and not on harvesting souls.

I have no problem for ministers asking and raising money as long as the money is going to reach the lost. I don't see this in TV ministers. Paul requested money often from Churches but I know he used it to support evangelism and building the kingdom of God not his Church building.

The churches should be a training base making disciples to send to the unreached around the corner and around the world and supporting them. This is how you reach the world.

****Note: I do not want this to turn into an attack on specific ministries but a simple discussion on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of TV evangelism

Whats you thoughts???

.

If you want to look at it strictly as a dollars and cents issue, the Local church and its pastor is the "robber Barron." If you were to look at numbers of dollars grossed per person saved, the local church would rank dead last in efficieny when compared against any television evangelist. The local church takes in how much money per week? How many souls are saved per week? Looking at it purely from a dollars and cents perspective, Maybe we should just close the Church. The local pastor makes how many dollars per year? How many souls per year are won to the Lord through His ministry? If you are judging a ministry strictly on souls won per dollar spent, the average television evangelist is much more efficient than the average local church.

Wise the wisdom shines through if we relied on the church to get the job done here on earth and not T.V. it would take and infinity!

[backontrack]

No matter what the sets look like, they're going to be criticized. If you had a large ministry, you would be criticized, too. There's no way missionaries can reach the numbers of people that tv does.

The guy that's on TBN that reads from The Word that was an actor - can't remember his name. Anyway, his testimony is that he tuned to TBN to make fun of the show - only that time he was saved - happened years ago.

How much is one soul worth?

Really here, correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe you're thinking of Kirk Cameron, "Mike Seaver" of Growing Pains' fame...

www.wayofthemaster.com

[IreneM]

the scandles over the years have turned off many people

form Bakker to Crouch and not Richard Roberts

all are TV evangelist

You talk to the average person on the street and they will point out the scandels

and say why would I want to be a part of that

Yes I am sure that in the past pastors on TV did a world of Good but over the past 20 years

it has just gotten worse and worse

In Christ

IreneM

[backontrack]

I don't care for John Hagee and not real sure about Billy Graham but I really enjoy Perry Stone. I might be going to a conference of his next week!

Billy Graham? He has led more people to the Lord then anyone I know! Wow I just cannot believe this humble man so much in Gods will.

[OneLight]

****Note: I do not want this to turn into an attack on specific ministries but a simple discussion on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of TV evangelism

Whats you thoughts???

I have not read past the first post before I felt like replying, so please bear with me ...

I have feeling on both sides of the street on this one. When I was in the world, it was those on TV during the late hours, as I was high and looking for a way out, that were there with the Word of God that convicted me. But, I do see the millions of dollars that's wasted on huge buildings and the like and wonder how many people would this feed, or how many homeless could have a warm bed, or how many bills for the poor could be paid. Is there really an answer?

Homeless that could have a warm bed? How about 3000 homes in Africa? Built through contributions and the Will of God and the willingness to obey by Joyce Meyers. And that's only one country, as well as here and 5 other countries that I participate in. You know, after you check out the Evangelist of your preferance and you are satisfied in your mind/heart that it is real, just give, give, give because God will reward you for your giving, and not for your distrusting. Just give and don't look back! God knows your heart and your intentions and those who abuse your monies will pay in the end..

blessings and prayers

cajunboy

Looks like I hit a nerve, Brother. Gods people are His people, no matter where they are. It is good that you give. I am saying nothing about your faith. I work as a homeless outreach coordinator in New Hampshire, and I see many people, for one reason or another, sleep in the freezing cold, so I tend to help those in my reach. I see hungry families in my own back yard, and point them to where I know there is food. You don't have to look anywhere but your own back yard to see people in need. Again, I don't want to take away from your kindness. You do well, Brother, in giving of what you have.

I was wondering why millions are spent on huge setups, homes, cars, glitz that only awes the viewer. I can see why there is so much concern about the "riches" that these people bring in when all you need to do is look up and down the street and see so many that are in need. They probably are giving a lot, but do they really need to spend so much for their own comfort? Are we not to give what we got? I will say that this DOES NOT count for all TV Preachers, but most.

I watch Les Feldick in the morning. He preaches and has only a table in front of him and a board at his back. He has just his wife, a book keeper and himself in the ministry and brings in only enough to buy the airtime and create his lessons. Yet, he is a minister of Gods Word that brings the Good News of Jesus and the truth of His Word to all who listen.

There is a big difference between those who rake in millions and those who just pay the bills. Does this mean that God honors one over the other? I don't know. I can only say that when I see someone with a Rolex and living in a mansion, I seriously wonder if they are in deed following in Jesus footsteps. I'm sure there are a lot of other people, Christians an nonbelievers alike, who are wondering the same thing. Still, only God knows for sure ...

Peace in Jesus, Brother

OneLight

[OneLight]

I don't care for John Hagee and not real sure about Billy Graham but I really enjoy Perry Stone. I might be going to a conference of his next week!

Billy Graham? He has led more people to the Lord then anyone I know! Wow I just cannot believe this humble man so much in Gods will.

I agree! And his living is modest as well. I can truly say that I have heard of no other Evangelist who has touched the hearts of so many.

[MeCajunboy]

****Note: I do not want this to turn into an attack on specific ministries but a simple discussion on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of TV evangelism

Whats you thoughts???

I have not read past the first post before I felt like replying, so please bear with me ...

I have feeling on both sides of the street on this one. When I was in the world, it was those on TV during the late hours, as I was high and looking for a way out, that were there with the Word of God that convicted me. But, I do see the millions of dollars that's wasted on huge buildings and the like and wonder how many people would this feed, or how many homeless could have a warm bed, or how many bills for the poor could be paid. Is there really an answer?

Homeless that could have a warm bed? How about 3000 homes in Africa? Built through contributions and the Will of God and the willingness to obey by Joyce Meyers. And that's only one country, as well as here and 5 other countries that I participate in. You know, after you check out the Evangelist of your preferance and you are satisfied in your mind/heart that it is real, just give, give, give because God will reward you for your giving, and not for your distrusting. Just give and don't look back! God knows your heart and your intentions and those who abuse your monies will pay in the end..

blessings and prayers

cajunboy

Looks like I hit a nerve, Brother. Gods people are His people, no matter where they are. It is good that you give. I am saying nothing about your faith. I work as a homeless outreach coordinator in New Hampshire, and I see many people, for one reason or another, sleep in the freezing cold, so I tend to help those in my reach. I see hungry families in my own back yard, and point them to where I know there is food. You don't have to look anywhere but your own back yard to see people in need. Again, I don't want to take away from your kindness. You do well, Brother, in giving of what you have.

I was wondering why millions are spent on huge setups, homes, cars, glitz that only awes the viewer. I can see why there is so much concern about the "riches" that these people bring in when all you need to do is look up and down the street and see so many that are in need. They probably are giving a lot, but do they really need to spend so much for their own comfort? Are we not to give what we got? I will say that this DOES NOT count for all TV Preachers, but most.

I watch Les Feldick in the morning. He preaches and has only a table in front of him and a board at his back. He has just his wife, a book keeper and himself in the ministry and brings in only enough to buy the airtime and create his lessons. Yet, he is a minister of Gods Word that brings the Good News of Jesus and the truth of His Word to all who listen.

There is a big difference between those who rake in millions and those who just pay the bills. Does this mean that God honors one over the other? I don't know. I can only say that when I see someone with a Rolex and living in a mansion, I seriously wonder if they are in deed following in Jesus footsteps. I'm sure there are a lot of other people, Christians an nonbelievers alike, who are wondering the same thing. Still, only God knows for sure ...

Peace in Jesus, Brother

OneLight

Looks like I hit a nerve, Brother. Gods people are His people, no matter where they are. It is good that you give. I am saying nothing about your faith. I work as a homeless outreach coordinator in New Hampshire, and I see many people, for one reason or another, sleep in the freezing cold, so I tend to help those in my reach. I see hungry families in my own back yard, and point them to where I know there is food. You don't have to look anywhere but your own back yard to see people in need. Again, I don't want to take away from your kindness. You do well, Brother, in giving of what you have.

No sir, I'm always amazed when Christians don't appear to have spent enough time with some who are clearly being led by God for this time. It may only be for a short time in comarison to God's needs but, powerful nevertheless. And a few of these evangelists will take Americans on field trips to witness what they are able to accomplish with monies invested. As for many of our local people here in Louisisana who need care and support, we are able to assist them as well. My own back yard and nearby neighbors were not as fortunate so we all had to kick in in helping to rebuild the city of New Orleans. But I believe there are many imposters out there who are lazy and just because they are fooling you and I , they cannot fool God. Those I pray on and for before I give them assistance. It can be easily tested, for if a man talks about work for pay, I simply invite him/her to work for me for a salary. We soon find out who is willing and needy and who is simply lazy and stealing our hard earned monies. My job is backbreaking as well, and I'm not out to invest it on those who won't try to help themselves unless they show will if able. "We have many "panhandlers" in the city trying to take advantage of the situation here and the kind people. And God's people are not ignorant. He provides the wisdom and knowledge to get by and care for yourself, in most cases.

I am aware of those you speak of who seem to be "raping" the country with their double tongued talk, but it is also clear to see who witnesses and cares for God's people, and in many cases for me, if an evangelist allows me to go into their business and view for myself their books and efforts, I'm a bit more confident. Also, God Knows! And I trust God.....not man.

blessings and prayers in your efforts for God's work

Cajunboy

[OneLight]

I'm a little puzzled, Cajunboy. You said "No, sir". I don't understand the reference???