Torch, Spring 1984

J: Well, first of all , there is an evangelistic goal. In a metropolitan area like San .Diego we have thousands of people who never attend church. But, many of them do have a religious bent to their nature . We have discovered that we can reach past the security bamers of apartment buildings and condominiums and touch the lives of these folks through broadcasting. "Turning Point" in– cludes a call-in number every time we are on the air and we have coun– selors ready to talk to people . We have seen many tum to Christ over the phone through our counselors . So first there is an evangelism goal . Sec– ondly, there is a pre-evangelism goal. Televison, as I mentioned be– fore, breaks down barriers that are built up in the hearts and minds of people against going to church. We find that many folks watch our televi– sion programs first and then decide to come to church . Oftentimes after they come to church, we are able to visit them to further reach them with the gospel. Thirdly, there is a tre– mendously encouraging ministry . We have a large number of older people who live in southern Califor– nia because of the weather. And for them, because they cannot get out to church regularly, this broadcast be– comes a source of inspiration and en– couragement. T: You have just described some beneficial broadcasting goals. But, are there dangers? J: Yes, there are. A broadcast minis– try can become a pastor's focal point because it is so widely viewed and/or heard . Soon the broadcasts become the horse pulling the cart, the church. Secondly, I believe there is misuse of the media today . And , whether you like it or not, you tend to get lumped together with this . For this reason , I never ask for money on the air. We do all our fund raising through the mail or in other ways. T: Is there much extra preparation for a pastor who broadcasts? J: Basically, our program is set up so that we capture what I am already doing . The Sunday morning and Sun– day evening services are recorded and then the rest of the program is post-pro\iuced . Thus , there is no extra preaching preparation. There are some production meetings and some extra video tape sessions where we do some vignettes that are then built into our broadcasts . But, these are not extensive. All the programs are at least six weeks delayed. T: What are the costs involved? J: My original radio broadcast enti– tled "Contact" in Fort Wayne was about one dollar per minute, thus $15 a day or $65 a week . Of course, that was a few years ago . Most 15 minute radio programs today in an average city could cost $30-$35 a day . Natu– rally, the larger the market the more expensive the air time. T: How much more expensive is tele– vision? J: We paid $500 a week for one hour of air time in Fort Wayne . Here in San Diego, we are on very early in the morning - not prime time - and it costs us $1500 per telecast. Yet, this is relatively inexpensive . The Los Angeles market might cost as much as $4000-$5000 an hour. T: How much extra manpower and equipment are necessary? J: With radio, a pastor does not re– quire any extra people or equipment. In Fort Wayne I got up early every morning and drove to the radio sta– tion and taped my program in the studio . What we have found with television is that a couple of experi– enced people are required , in addi– tion to volunteers who can be trained . We use about 25 different people , only two of whom are salaried staff. A church has to decide whether to buy its own equipment or to hire a production company . Our church has chosen the former method . I believe an equipment investment of about $200,000 in used equipment would allow for a broadcast to be produced reasonably well . T: Do you believe it is advisable for a church to expand its viewership , if possible, beyond the local area? J: That is a very controversial sub– ject. People say that when you ex– pand you cannot possibly have a fol – low-up ministry in their lives apart from what they see on television. I personally believe that what happens during the television hour is worthy enough to multiply wherever you can . However, a struggle can ensue with finances . Most of the ministries that have proliferated across the country have done so by having strong fund appeals on the air. I do not know how much longer Ameri– can Christian people are going to put up with this because the ones with whom I talk are tired of hearing des– perate appeals every time they tum on the television . I believe that pro– grams that are centralized in the Scriptures will be a great asset and blessing to viewers and will have their financial needs met without overemphasizing giving . God always finances His ministry. T: Would you recommend that men preparing for the pastorate consider attending workshops in broadcast– ing? J: Definitely. This is the Information Age . Today's pastor, as well as to– morrow ' s, must be aware of the pos– sibilities of communication via radio and televison . I would advise writing to the National Religious Broadcast– ing Association and subscribing to their magazine . Then as soon as pos– sible he should attend the National Religious Broadcasters Convention where there are workshops and tapes available on how to get started in broadcasting . T: Do you have any concluding re– marks? J: Here we are as the army of God with our confessed goal to reach the world for Christ. God has given us mighty technologies with which to accomplish this task. Yet, it is just overwhelming to me how reticent many Christians are to get involved with radio and television . While they are still trying to decide whether these methods are legitimate, the world is gobbling up all the media it can get. Let me challenge the young, aggressive, fundamentalist men of God to get equipped and go out and use the media God has provided us the opportunity to use. Dr. David Jeremiah is senior pastor at Scott Memorial Bap– tist Church in San Diego , California, and chancellor of Christian Heritage College. He is a for– mer trustee of Cedarville College and is an alumnus of Cedarville College and Dallas Theological Seminary . 15