The ALJC and TV

[OneAccord]

Has TV helped the ALJC grow as an organization? Have those ALJC churches that have TV grown in size? Probably not. But "growth" really isn't the point.

Another question: Has Harvestime and local church radio broadcasts helped the UPC and its churches grow? Have the millions of UPC tracts helped the organization grow? Who can really say, but, again, "growth" really isn't the point.

Winning souls.... now thats the point. I'll use Bro. McCools ALJC church in Knoxville as an example. His program is aired on Sundays and at least three regional correctional facilities are within that veiwing area. That doesn't include the many local jails, nursing homes, homeless shelters and hospitals that are in the veiwing area. And the countless homes in the Knowxville area.
Bro. McCool wasn't called, and neither are other ministers, to make their organizations grow. They are called to preach the Gospel to every creature. Their calling is to present the Gospel in such a way as to bring sinners to conviction, and, ultimately, do all they can to bring them to repentance.
If we focus our attention away from making our organizations grow and prosper, and focus again on what God called us to do, maybe we'll gain a new perspective on using whatever means God has given us to reach souls for His Kingdom

Growth isn't always success. Which groups are growing? Those that are leaving their foundations and preaching a more socially acceptable gospel. If organizational growth is what we are after, we should preach what the world wants to hear. We'll definitely grow, but we'll fail in the Great Commission. Lets continue to preach the Word, focus our attention on winning souls to the Lord, and let the organization and local church grow as the Lord willls it to.


Jesus preached by word of mouth.
Paul used letters to preach the Gospel
The printing press was invented and utilized to spread the Gospel
Radio came along and preachers everywhere utilized the radio waves to preach the Word.
TV was invented and we who have the truth have all but ignored its potential.
The Internet is here and its used far and wide to present the Truth.

Our job is to preach the Gospel to ALL the world.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

HAHA!!!! The first TV thread (I think).



As we all know, the UPCI has tabled the issue of the resolution to allow advertisement on tv. It is scheduled to come up at this years GC in Tampa, FL.

So with that, I would like to go a different way with this subject. I think the ALJC as an Apostolic Org is a potential group for the UPCI to study. They allow their memebers to have tv, and also allow the churches to advertise, and broadcast on tv.

So what has the effect been on them?

Have they lost holiness standards?

Have they left the Truth of Oneness, and baptism in Jesus Name?

Where do you see the ALJC as an org?



Whatever your answers are to the above, I believe if the UPCI allows tv, they will begin to mirror the ALJC more.

What say Ye??

Most of the ALJC churches I know of have a more rigid dress standard and are much more conservative. They do not allow licensed ministers to be divorced. I think that they dwell more on moral and inner issues than many of the UPCI churches. They aren't so hung up on inconsequentials, like T.V.

[deadeye]

Maybe the question should be, does TV advertising help individual churches grow, rather then organizations?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by The Dean

Ironically, its not a growing organization overall. If television is the 'answer' then someone should explain the ALJC to the Apostolic movement.

They have some good men. They have some solid men. Even so it's interesting that it's dwindling and many of their key people - even officials - are leaving and going UPC.

I agree with Matt. If TV is the answer then someone needs to explain the ALJC's decline. It's not a lack of good people.

Can someone prove that TV contributed to their decline? Maybe it was some other issues and in which case no amount of advertisement could help anyways. (Besides they don't just advertise on tv, they allow TV)

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Wonder why there are so few of the pro-tv folks not posting on this thread.


I think the ALJC is a good example of a pro-tv org. While I do not think it has really did much for their growth, I also do not see them going to hell in a handbasket.

If just seems to me that the tv study committee should make the ALJC a big part of their study. Maybe they are? I don't know. I would love to have one of them come here and give us a rough outline of how they are going about this study.

How about the Assemblies of God? How about individual churchs like T.D. Jakes?

[Praxeas]

BTW...maybe the problem is or was that they didn't use the medium correctly

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

How about the Assemblies of God? How about individual churchs like T.D. Jakes?

I think that if we are going to look at what the effect tv is having on Apostolics, we need to, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, look at other Apostolics. Therefore, Jakes and the AOG would not be ones we should look at.

[The Dean]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I think that if we are going to look at what the effect tv is having on Apostolics, we need to, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, look at other Apostolics. Therefore, Jakes and the AOG would not be ones we should look at.

I agree completely. When truth is involved there are entirely different dynamics that have to be considered. What may work for those who don't have truth may not work at all for those who genuinely promote doctrines of truth.

I'm not against talent and striving for excellence but that can never take the place of genuine truth preaching. Interestingly enough, when Saul (who didn't intend to be right) was troubled he was satisfied with a musician playing and singing to soothe his spirit; when David (a man after God's own heart) was troubled the first thing he did was call for a Preacher. And not just any preacher but one who had never backed away from telling him the truth.

As it pertains to most television ministries, their strength is in their talents. As it pertains to truth? Truth IS our strength. I think God designed it that way.

Most of the people I hear speak of television ministries have very little respect for them and see 90% of them as money hungry clowns. Strangely, I find many people that respect us for never stepping into the comedic sacrilege that seems to define TBN.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I think that if we are going to look at what the effect tv is having on Apostolics, we need to, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, look at other Apostolics. Therefore, Jakes and the AOG would not be ones we should look at.

Why would TV have one effect on Apostolics and not on non-Apostolics? That doesn't make sense. There seems to be a lot left out of this picture. There is no foundation upon which to stand...for example , as stated....what evidence is there that TV would have a different effect on Apostolic churchs than non-Apostolic churchs?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by The Dean

I agree completely. When truth is involved there are entirely different dynamics that have to be considered. What may work for those who don't have truth may not work at all for those who genuinely promote doctrines of truth.

I'm not against talent and striving for excellence but that can never take the place of genuine truth preaching. Interestingly enough, when Saul (who didn't intend to be right) was troubled he was satisfied with a musician playing and singing to soothe his spirit; when David (a man after God's own heart) was troubled the first thing he did was call for a Preacher. And not just any preacher but one who had never backed away from telling him the truth.

As it pertains to most television ministries, their strength is in their talents. As it pertains to truth? Truth IS our strength. I think God designed it that way.

Most of the people I hear speak of television ministries have very little respect for them and see 90% of them as money hungry clowns. Strangely, I find many people that respect us for never stepping into the comedic sacrilege that seems to define TBN.

IF that is true....if that is really true then perhaps the REAL reason the Apostolic churchs that do TV aren't thriving have nothing to do with TV but doctrine?

I mean...who not the same thing with newspaper? Tracts? Radio? Internet?

If truth is our strength then why would it HINDER us to spread the truth on TV just as we are via radio and internet?

There is a HUGE missing link here you guys are making...a huge leap in logic