According to the Barna Research Group most Americans have never heard of:
Rick Warren – 72% say they have never heard of him
James Dobson – 57% said they had never heard of him
T.D. Jakes – 68% say they have never heard of him
Tim LaHaye – 73% have never heard of Mr. LaHaye
Joel Osteen – 67% have never heard of him
The favourable/unfavourable ratings this ministers received is interesting (among those who have heard of them)
Barna compared celebrities with the ministers such as Denzel Washington, Rosie O’Donnell and Mel Gibson. As well he tossed in some politicians.
He also put in authors for comparison. Writers toil in obscurity – Anne Rice ( 80 million novels sold) 55% had never heard of her.Â
Tim LaHaye has sold more than 70 million books during his career, but is unknown to three-fourths of adults. Rick Warren penned a record-setting blockbuster, but is unknown to three-fourths of the nation. James Dobson has sold tens of millions of books on family issues, and supports those books through his daily radio broadcasts on more than 1000 radio stations, yet he remains a mystery to most Americans.
Barna found evangelicals think differently, whites held less favourable views of those named. Many of their most favourable ratings were given to movie stars and country singers.
Barna’s conclusion?
“The survey statistics suggest that perhaps Christian individuals are more attuned to matters of culture and entertainment than to matters of faith,†the researcher continued. “People pay attention to what they deem important. These figures may be another indicator that millions of Christians invest more of their mental energy in cultural literacy than in biblical literacy.â€
One problem with your headline is that LeHaye and Dobson aren’t pastors of any church that I know of. LeHaye is a writer and Dobson is a psychologist/author/radio host. Dobson doesn’t have any ministerial background beyond being (IIRC) a Nazarene preacher’s kid.
Most of those big-name pastors are fairly well known in evangelical circles, but have no name recognition outside of it. Dobson is at least known by outside folks by being the name that gets dropped when people talk of what you up north call SoCons.
LeHaye’s name might not be known, but I think the Left Behind series would get 50% recognition.
That was willful on my part and I’m glad you stopped by.:^)
I was curious to see if anyone would call me on that.
I’m not sure what I think of Barna’s survey conclusions. If recognition is that low in the US, what is it outside the US?
You are correct – LaHaye and Dobson don’t minister in churches.
And again you are correct – Dobson. I have no idea if he has kept up his psychologist certification. I have no idea is LaHaye has kept up his credentials.
I haven’t been able to find the number of sales for LaHayes books here in Canada. They are put on the best seller shelves in Chapters/Indigo for the requisite time, then religion for awhile. I’ve seen a few in second hand stores.
Dobson sells his books from his Cdn website, perhaps more places, but I’ve never seen his books in a store or second hand store. Never checked libraries.
Correct again – The Left Behind brand would be better known.
Cloud Ten Pictures in St. Catherines produced a Left Behind Movie and had a falling out and 10 million dallar lawsuit with LaHaye.
http://cloudtenpictures.com/
As for TV and radio – Dobsons shows stream online and list their bought time with Canadian radio stations. Looks like more carry him than actually do, you’d have to want to listen to him.
Didn’t see either of them on The Miracle Channel (Canada’s TBN) or CTS.
Thing is, only you noticed my ‘error’.
What is s SoCon? Haven’t heard that term.
Profile of Dobson – “And on the Eighth Day, Dr. Dobson Created Himself”
http://www.5280.com/issues/2006/0607/feature.php?pageID=400