Before one fateful week this fall, I’d never watched a minute of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). All I knew was what I’d read, heard or glimpsed while channel surfing—headlines about mixing money and ministry, a reputation for being cheesy, a talk-show set with golden thrones, and some woman with big pink hair.
I was intrigued by the network, though, when I read that according to Nielsen ratings, TBN is the most watched religious channel in the U.S. (it also reaches 74 other nations). The 36-year-old ministry claims to serve an average of five million households every week during prime time. Well, make that five million and one, at least for one November week when challenged myself with a Julie/Julia-type experiment to watch three full hours of primetime TBN programming for 5 straight nights.
A snapshot of my week: I laughed aloud at something cheesy and unintentionally funny 10 minutes into my first hour of watching. On night two, I spotted the pink hair. By night three my wife decided I was officially crazy because I wasn’t giving up this experiment. She’d often walk by me on the couch and shake her head. On night four, I paused the DVR to run upstairs. When I came down, my wife was watching TBN on her own—and without being forced by any silly dedication to an experiment.
Yes, I was happy my week of forced viewing was over when I completed those 15 hours on Friday night. I’d seen some cheesy stuff. I’d listened to pastors who certainly mixed money and ministry. But I’ll admit that I was pleasantly surprised by some programs. I liked Precious Memories with Bill Gaither (Tuesdays, 9:30/8:30c), which aired a Johnny Cash documentary, and Kingdom Connection (Mondays, 9/8c), featuring sermons of Jentezen Franklin, a talented storyteller. I enjoyed Ancient Secrets of the Bible (Wednesdays, 9/8c)—specifically, an episode about the alleged 1917 Virgin Mary appearances in Fatima.
It became clear very early on to me that while most of TBN primetime is pay-to-play, the network’s two self-produced shows, Behind the Scenes and Praise the Lord, showcase what can work best on TBN. Praise the Lord, a variety program of music and interviews, featured thoughtful guests with admirable stories and Behind the Scenes gives viewers a background look at the network with interviews of those involved.
What these two shows had in common was simply telling the stories of God’s people. On Behind the Scenes, Paul Crouch, Jr. (subbing for his father), conducted two inspiring interviews: One with an 82-year-old woman who parachuted out of a plane to raise awareness (and money) for a TBN affiliate, the other with a former Muslim (now Christian) who discussed evangelism in an intelligent, respectful way. Moments like this are the true heart of TBN—a passion to share Christ with the world.
Do you watch TBN? Why or why not? What shows do you like? What have you found there that troubles you or supports your faith?
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Comments (12)
Have you read Nadia Bolz-Weber's "Salvation on the Small Screen?" In it, she watches TBN for 24 hours straight. Brave woman!
Glad you founds some worthy elements - the faith stories can be really powerful and there's really not many other outlets for things like that.
There's a certain... aesthetic about that show that illuminates a subculture in the U.S. It's completely alien to me and many viewers (c.f. the "big hair" and flashiness).
Where does that aesthetic come from? Who is it targeted at?
A troubling development is that TBN is how other people abroad (such as Africa) see Christianity itself. It's contributed mightily to a blatant focus on a prosperity gospel, which can be absolutely toxic to poor tribes and countries. It's twisted their view of Christ.
I do appreciate that TBN Christian movies and entertainment and discussion to airwaves.
I just wish they had a better screening policy. Its hard to be legit when you also air Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland and Marilyn Hickey.
I am glad they are reaching the lost...I just wonder about the overall message they are using.
David
http://www.redletterbelievers....
The same goes with those 'well-meaning' Christians who simply pass on all sorts of urgent and important message without even bothering to validate them. Tell me, do you trust someone who ask you to forward an email so some organization will donate $x to a cancer patient who does not exist or to look for a child missing 20 years ago but mentioned in the email as 'seen last week'? They claim to know the one true living God too, you know.
This is an example, in my opinion, where the medium distorts the message.
Another main concern, along with what Allan wrote is how Christianity is perceived outside of the US. The US is the leading exporter of media (and with it a bag of mixed American values) which seldom ignore Jesus and reject the Christian faith.
Perhaps TBN + Hollywood = a recipe for disaster and a misrepresentation of the Gospel.
My kids love it and there is pretty much no advertising, which is much better than qubo or the other kids only programming on the major networks.
So, I like it. I don't watch the normal TBN stuff though, I just can't seem to get into most of it.