Monday, March 06, 2006

TBN is now claiming to be a church!

Here is a quote from a article in USA Today.

"A ruling that means Sumner County and the city must refund the theme park-like Trinity Broadcasting Network complex here more than $300,000 in taxes ends an 11-year skirmish and gives the colorful owners much of what they’ve wanted — status as a church."

“Obviously, we were hoping for 100% across the board, because Trinity is a church, but we understood the judge’s ruling and we have no objection to it,” said TBN attorney John Casoria, speaking from the international headquarters in Tustin, Calif."


Though I realize that there is much debate over what does and does not make a "church". I would think that there are some basic, universally accepted criteria.

  1. Worship God - There is a vast difference between performing worship-themed songs and worshipping God in Spirit and in truth.
  2. Fellowship of the believers - This involves "growing by that which every joint supplies". It also invocommitmenttment to one another, to bearanother'sthers burdens which does not happen while taping an episode oChristianitian Variety Show" any more than it happens in the audience at the Ed Sullivan theater during "Later Night with David Letterman".
  3. Discipling - This involves not just preaching The Gospel, as opposed to their particular brand of prosperity, but also raising up and nurturing these new converts through personal involvement not by proxy through taped TV programs.
  4. Stewardship - Using the resources of people, talent, money, facilities, etc. to the best possible advantage for the advancing of the Kingdom of God. TBN is not a member of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability which callsstewardshiprdhip practices into question.

I do not doubt that there has been and can be benefit from TBN's broadcasts, however, as I stated in "The Gospel According to Nixon", pragmatism has no place in the Kingdom. The ends do not justify the means. Establishing a worldwide satellite network does not mean that one does not have to be accountable or can lack integrity. It does not give license to pervert one of the very foundations of Christianity.

The church is a living, breathing organism of responsibility - responsible for righteousness, for relationship and for reconciliation- not a means for self promotion, self absorption or self gratification. TBN has crossed the line and we must be responsible to challenge this empire to accountability, to require transparency and integrity. If we do not, we, by non-action, condone this and thereby participate for which we will one day give an account!

Have we been boiled like the proverbial frog, brethren, or shall we fulfill our responsibility as watchman on the wall to warn those in sin so that we may win them?

posted by missionaryman @ 9:00 AM   3 comments

3 Comments:

At 11:52 AM, Blogger Rachel McKinney said...

I think that I would give TBN credit for all of the categories that you listed. It is not your opinion but God's opinion that counts and that will only be discovered when we meet the Lord. But I would not throw out all of the souls won to the Kingdom via TBN's ouitreach just because you do not agree with their methods!

 
At 12:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with original posting, that this takes away from His Church. We all can agree the Church is not about buildings, but the Church is about relationship. Who is TBN accountable to? Should there be sin in the camp, who has the right to correct it? I am sure they have a board of directors, but is there anyone who would stand up against any unrighteousness that may be going on. Also the Great Commission from Jesus said to go and make disciples of every nation, not just to win the lost. Who is pastoring the people that supposely have given their hearts to the Lord from watching TBN? Who is discipling them? Again, I agree with "Musings of an Iconoclast" in most of this. To make a disciple is becoming an overseer and walking with that person and sharing your life with them. I personally do not believe that can be done from behind a camera. If you birthed a child into the world, what would your responsibilities be to that child? Not to leave them to raise themselves. Again, I believe it is more to Church than just preaching, teaching, and collecting money and building a kingdom by the hands of men. One day that will fall, even as the tower of Babel. And yes we do have the right to judge according to the Word of God and examine everything under its light and by the example Jesus left us. An example I like to use concerning this, is that apostle Peter, in whom Jesus declared was the one by which His Church would be birthed and was one of the original apostles/elders that oversaw the Church, was himself accused of wrong motives and actions against some people and was taken before the same presbytery that he sat on to be corrected in the matter. In closing, it is my belief we are in the process of a reformation from God, and that real reconciliation in the Body can not take place until we are willing to admit the wrong in our camps. I am thankful, someone would have the courage to speak these things forth. Thanks for your heart, "Musings of an Iconoclast". Truly our Father has given you a forehead of iron. "Iron sharpens iron!"

 
At 5:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to say that there is probably a middle ground that is actually not so middle. I've lived long enough as a Christian to know that God is perfectly capable to raise his children by the direction of His spirit alone. While that sounds great and would be the ultimate teacher, God , our Father, has decided to put leaders in the Body of Christ to teach us, direct us and govern us as well. Those that pursue revelation from the scripture. These are the ones who have watch over our souls. We also need brothers and sisters that we learn from based on their experience with God and are examples of God living amongst us. Not that we follow them but that we learn how to let Christ live His life in us, through us, even as us to be seen as Jesus to the world.

You can't accomplish this through the TV. No matter how many well meaning automated letters you receive from any given ministry, you'll be best served by letting Godly people close to you have input in your life for correction and instruction in righteousness.

That said, while I personally disdain so much of the 'canned' spirituality that is so very evident on so many shows that are so about 'look at me and my ministry' while they couch it in the love of Jesus, there are those that are using a broadcast medium for preaching the Gospel to the church and un-churched. Not to slam TBN perse or anybody using the airwaves as a venue to do this. You must be aware that so much of this is the vain persuit of a single man's/woman's vision and has become anything but a venue for cashing checks. While the bible is specific about the blessings of the giver, so many ministries sacrafice their integrity over to this prosperity God. Give the prophet your last piece of bread (your home, your car, your savings) and you'll be blessed. Amen!

.. but are they REALLY prophets?

God so richly blesses us. Blessings beyond order or comprehension. Our needs and so many of our wants are taken care of in Christ. The fact of the matter is, even if you are blessed by something that these TV folks say or do, in the long run, they are not the ones who belong in the role of pastor or shepherd in your life. God has given you these gifts and they are right around the corner (or a couple of corners) from where you live. These Godly men and women live each day with a single passion in their mind. How can I bring these people to a closer more intimate relationship with the Father and how can I protect them from evil. The tithes and offerings that they live off of and build their services opportunities on are almost always a secondary thought. Give your local pastors a chance.

Does God use TBN? I'll ask Balam's Donkey or Samsom, or maybe Peter. I believe that their answer would be God used me, he can do anything. I believe that there are destined purposes for such organizations and God will use them either as believers or pharoahs, but he will use them for His purpose. God will not be denied. He won't be mocked. He will bring all things to light. Good or evil. While we can dicker about the semantics of what constitutes a church or the church, we can know for a Certain that God is faithful and just and will complete the work that he has started in each of us.

A side note. I once asked God how is possible for me to spend eternity with Christians that have done me wrong in the name of minstry and service of the Almighty. I said 'God, that would actually be hell! How could everyday of eternity be spent with these people? He answered me and gave me the key that will set you free if you'll let it. 'You can spend eternity with those believers who have done you wrong if you forgive completely from your heart.'

Bottom line: Let it go dude. Truly forgive. Forsake the memory of the wrong done. This will free you here. This will allow you to love these angry people like Jesus did because 'they do not know what they do' ..

 

Post a Comment

<< Home