Originally Posted by ampaterry
Permafrost, I agree with Country101 right down the line on his thoughts. The passage he mentions is:
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV); Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
We draw strength from each other. Sitting home watching TV is an isolated experience. If you agree or disagree with something said, there is no one to discuss it with.
I agree that there is a need for a ministry that can reach shut ins. For some folks, if it were not for TV ministry they would never hear the word at all.
But it comes at a cost to the local church. I mean, here I am in the boondox of Tennessee preaching a church that is not large enough to support a pastor. I have always, until retirement, worked full time to support my family and the church also. My family and I do the repairs, do all the maintenance, etc. Then someone comes in on Sunday morning and informs me that they just watched a TV preacher who does not use notes during his sermon as I do. I am tempted to inform them that he, just like our president, reads everything from a telepromptor. But I don't; I just smile and say that is really great for him.
But these guys have a budget of millions, the latest hi-tech video and audio equipment, and the ministry is ALL THEY DO. Can a small neighborhood church compete with that?
Yes, we can, and we do. Because when your wife is hospitalized, I will be there with you, not the TV preacher. When your daughter accepts Jesus, I will rejoice with you and offer to baptize her, not the TV preacher. When a loved one dies, I will cry with you, and conduct the funeral ceremony. When you stumble and fall, I will be there to offer a hand back up again. And on Sunday morning, I will give you a teaching without audio-visual equipment, without world class choir accompaniement, and will I look down at the podium now and then at my notes because there is no teleprompter. But the teaching will be what God has prompted me to give. It is truth, and it is from my heart.
And when it is over, you will talk to your neighbors at the door of the church. You will share how you enjoyed the message and why, or you will complain about it and why. But you will interact with other believers, and grow stronger as a group - as a church family.
It boils down to this:
TV ministry is needed by some, but is detrimental to those that do not actually need it.
|