Today, for the first time in probably a decade (no I'm not joking) I watched a show on TBN. It was Kirk Cameron. The ministry he's involved in is called The way of the Master. Mr. T and I actually felt like the program was a good one. This episode was on evangelism. I was surprised to find a couple of things:
1. The program went from 6 to 6:30 and not one time did they ask the audience watching for money.
2. The program was effective with a blend of video clips and teaching.
The first one listed above shocked me because of my experience with TBN. Maybe I only hit their telethons in the past...but it seemed to me everyone on it wanted my money. The program that ended right before Kirk's pointed out that faithful people (some of which are my family) paid for the diamond decorated couple and their crew to fly from CA to Dallas for the opening of the World's largest church. (They of course shouldn't pay their own way for this event since they are televising it for the at home viewer who can't afford the trip they'll just take all the money from these people collectivly and pay for their trip instead.***okay now you know why I don't watch TBN.)
The second was nice to have something that kept my attention and challenged me. I find as a Christian that I don't feel challenged much anymore. Maybe it's just me, but I find myself thinking "been there, done that." Some of it is the season of my life, kids do limit what you can do as well as funds. But some of it is just pure burnout.
Anyway, back to Kirk. In looking at his website (and honestly still skeptic enough to believe that it would have "pay us money" on the home page) I was also glad to see that the intro of the web page asked if you were a Christian or not....you clicked on yes or no and we clicked no to see what would happen. Again I was refreshed.
I like the fact that they present a personal inventory first....If you think you're a good person ask yourself these questions based on the ten commandments.....and proceeded to go through the commandments, reminding the person who is taking the test that these are God's moral test, but then tie up with Christ having paid the price for our sins.
In the same respect that this is all good....no shocker you can't view the book or videos without buying them first!
6 comments:
I will have to check Kirk's show out. Glad to hear that there are young people on TBN!
I know what you mean about not being challenged enough. Dust has more of a need to be challenged intellectually. We are usually fulfilled through Sunday School.
I remember having a crush on Kirk Cameron when he was on Growing Pains. How about you?
yeah, I had a small crush on him as a kid too. But not as much as ChaChi on Happy Days!
I recommend getting the book I just read for my seminar, "The Emotionally Healthy Church". It really has challenged me to dive a little deeper to the issues of being a Christian and to live Christlike. We are planning to do the in-depth study guide exercises in my small group this fall. The author (Peter Scazzero) gave a visual that our personal/spiritual growth that we see the "fruits" is like an iceberg. It is only the tip (10%). And that for us to continue in change, we have to embrace the deeper layers that are underneath the surface. It is really hard to explain some of this, but it really surprised me on some of the things that came to my mind during the mini-assignments. There really is alot more to uncover from our family of origin in order to become more aligned in our family of Christ.
My hair-do is coming along nicely. I just bought my diamond pinkie-ring! Honolulu!!
Good to know that there is something not completely scary on TBN. That reputation makes me cringe when I say we are in media missions or television ministry.
Yeah, I tend to be pretty cynical about most of the workings of The Bighair Network as well. It blows my mind that some people are sucked in by specific televangelists. I am happy to hear that Kirk isn't pushing the collection plate.
To be honest, I have some trust in Kirk Cameron, but I don't really have any in TBN.
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