But as the old lions pass off the scene and either put their sons in charge (or, in the case of Canadian David Mainse, their daughter) or dismiss them from their roles as heirs apparent, we might cause to consider this question: Has there ever been any really good preaching on television?
Like you, I can think of some preachers that aren’t so bad. They are not heretical, they are not sensational, they are not egotistical — but I still don’t want to listen to them, do you? Most of them, furthermore, I have seen only on local broadcasts of local large churches. I can’t think of anyone with a national or international ministry that I would ever want to hear again.
The discussion is to be had at Dr. John Stackhouse’s blog. While TV preachers are losing ground, (thank God) are media owners? The religious business people who own the satellites and networks don’t think they are losing this generation let alone the next?
I think good preaching (a rare thing indeed) does not translate well through the distance of radio, podcast or TV. Preaching is a gift, one of many necessary equal gifts, and I think it is a gift best served locally with our pulpit pounders roots very firmly planted in the neighbourhood. Having worked in Christian media because I actually thought I’d be a better Christian for having done so, I was disturbed and remain disturbed by disconnected and often desperate viewers, many who genuinely believed the TV preacher was bigger than life and closer to God. People would phone in with problems bigger than any TV business employees could or should handle, and with life problems a scripture verse, a prayer and their donation wouldn’t fix. Callers needed local contact, local help and on the ground believers to come along side, not illusions or more time in front of the tube. TV is a false and tenuous connection; the church is a living thing, our relationship with God, our relationships with each other are something we consume, faith is not exercised by us being entertained. TV preaching by it’s very nature diminishes our humanity and the humanity of the preacher.
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I have thought about this extensively since I’ve seen all kinds of TV preachers. The most effective, and what people want, is someone to come alongside us in our troubles and in our celebrations. The TV kind of preacher, or even megachurch preachers, just don’t hack it.