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Christians Working In The Mainstream

I work in secular radio. Secular doesn't mean evil- it just means "not religious." We need more believers to stand up for their faith and work in mainstream radio. In many ways, Christians have given up the fight and retreated to "Christian" radio. Our influence in mainstream is weak because we don't have a lot of Christians working in mainstream. Get an accountability partner to help you stay with your walk and you can do it.
 
You make an excellent point. Actually, the reason the media (radio/TV/Movies) are like they are today is because Christians tended to see those things as evil and avoid them. I remember seeing a film clip of a preacher smashing old 78 rpm records in the early 1950's ( they broke easily as they were made from shalac not plastic and vinyl) and making some comment about the evils of rock and roll music (which would have been music of Les Paul and Mary Ford, Bill Hailey and the Comets, and the R&B artists of that time). So for the most part Christians have stayed out of the music, radio,TV, movie industries. As nature abhores a vacuum, the other side filled the gap and we have a music industry, radio/TV industry, and film industry that is sold out to Satan's values and not Christ's.

There have been Christians who have worked in these "secular" media's, one example of one who made quite a contribution was Hugh Beaumont, he produced "Leave it to Beaver". Beaumont was an ordained United Methodist minister who was an actor and later produced. He also played the part of Ward on the show. Today many will see that show as "corny" or out of touch with the "real world", but back in the late 1950's and the early 1960's Leave it to Beaver was a top rated TV show. It had positive values that weren't preachy, but always had a lesson of right and wrong in each show.

Kurt Cameron in the "Left Behind" Movies is another believer who's work in media comes to mind.

I've know various fellow followers of Christ who have worked in secular radio, who allowed their faith and beliefs to permiate their show when they could do it and have it fit. I've worked in both Christian radio and secular radio. I did a talk show on a secular station where I'd share the Gospel or offer a "mini sermon" as the monologue on some of my shows if the topics being discussed fit. I only had one caller complain as he didn't want to hear any thing about God or Jesus. So I used that call as an opportunity to share with him and try to minister to him. His call brought other interesting reponses and "kept the topic alive" for most of that hour segment, where as if he hadn't called in to complain, I would have moved on after the next spot break. The Lord is still in charge and has a plan. We just have to be available and willing to follow his lead.

There is nothing wrong with Christian radio or TV, but we aren't called to preach to the choir or hide out in a "Christian Ghetto", we are called to take the good news to the streets. So those working the more difficult world of secular radio, just like working in secular industry vs Christian work can be used by Christ for his glory in ways that Christian radio or the Christian business person might not have the opportunity.
 
"Life in the Bloodstream, Baby!...It's more than a chemical reaction!" Burton Cummings... 95+% of Christians work in mainstream jobs.. I've had to do the same in radio when I left Radio-U in Columbus.. I chose to stay in my hometown where we are still trying to get a fulltime Christian CHR to cover the whole banana... It's a challenge, but we are faced with those and temptations in our new life, are we not???? 8)
 
Mike from Delaware, YOU said; "There have been Christians who have worked in these "secular" media's, one example of one who made quite a contribution was Hugh Beaumont, he produced "Leave it to Beaver". Beaumont was an ordained United Methodist minister who was an actor and later produced. He also played the part of Ward on the show.

Just a little quibble, Beaumont WAS a Methodist Minister, but NEVER a "Producer" of Beaver. According to the Internet Movie Database (an awesome source) he acted, directed (some) and wrote (some). I'm sure he had influence in the way the shows went, but had little "control" as a producer would.

There are a few Christian tv stations that run "Beaver" and "Andy Griffith" and "Ozzie and Harriet" and then have an on-air discussion about the Christian values in the plot.

After nearly 40 years in the workplace (22 in radio) my experience is
that working in "Christian" places was more difficult only BECAUSE OF THE CHRISTIANS and the hypocricy and the self-righteous finger pointing and the denominational "mine is better than yours" baloney that was always going on.

HE IS RISEN. ALLELUIA!
 
::)

Hmmm... so Retro, take note. What we have in this classroom is several people (yours truly included) that have been burned by Christians - in AND out of religious radio. The format isn't the problem, the people are. You know the argument, guns don't kill people... people kill people. I said this already, but it bears repeating, working in the ministry would be perfect if it wasn't for the people.

It's a shame, but those buggers Jesus came to save are such strong-headed, egoist, egalitarian folk sometimes. Some children of God act as if the world owes them something, so they sit high on their megalomaniacal throne sneering at the sinners. Others believe that the world produces nothing but vile filth and we should rid ourselves of that.

Regardless, we are to be a city set on a hill, right? Wherever you work and whatever you play or produce, know this one thing... God put you there, so do your best to make him proud. Everything else will fall into place. People will persecute the fire out of you... and yes, Christians are some of the worst. The stress on the job can get the best of you. BUT, you are here to please God and serve people, not the other way around.

Go be a living epistle, known and read of all men. You will be blessed for it.
 
You make it sound like the end of "Mork and Mindy talking to Mork's
leader."

YOU are exactly right. Veritas!

Nanu nanu!
 
>>Mike from Delaware, YOU said; "There have been Christians who have worked in these "secular" media's, one example of one who made quite a contribution was Hugh Beaumont, he produced "Leave it to Beaver". Beaumont was an ordained United Methodist minister who was an actor and later produced. He also played the part of Ward on the show.

Just a little quibble, Beaumont WAS a Methodist Minister, but NEVER a "Producer" of Beaver. According to the Internet Movie Database (an awesome source) he acted, directed (some) and wrote (some). I'm sure he had influence in the way the shows went, but had little "control" as a producer would.

There are a few Christian tv stations that run "Beaver" and "Andy Griffith" and "Ozzie and Harriet" and then have an on-air discussion about the Christian values in the plot.

After nearly 40 years in the workplace (22 in radio) my experience is
that working in "Christian" places was more difficult only BECAUSE OF THE CHRISTIANS and the hypocricy and the self-righteous finger pointing and the denominational "mine is better than yours" baloney that was always going on.

HE IS RISEN. ALLELUIA!>>

I
 
For some reason all of what I wrote didn't appear in the previous post so here goes again.

>>Mike from Delaware, YOU said; "There have been Christians who have worked in these "secular" media's, one example of one who made quite a contribution was Hugh Beaumont, he produced "Leave it to Beaver". Beaumont was an ordained United Methodist minister who was an actor and later produced. He also played the part of Ward on the show.

Just a little quibble, Beaumont WAS a Methodist Minister, but NEVER a "Producer" of Beaver. According to the Internet Movie Database (an awesome source) he acted, directed (some) and wrote (some). I'm sure he had influence in the way the shows went, but had little "control" as a producer would.

There are a few Christian tv stations that run "Beaver" and "Andy Griffith" and "Ozzie and Harriet" and then have an on-air discussion about the Christian values in the plot.

After nearly 40 years in the workplace (22 in radio) my experience is
that working in "Christian" places was more difficult only BECAUSE OF THE CHRISTIANS and the hypocricy and the self-righteous finger pointing and the denominational "mine is better than yours" baloney that was always going on.

HE IS RISEN. ALLELUIA!>>

I may have been incorrect about Beaumont being the producer, I was trying to remember what I had read years ago when his obit appeared in the newspaper. But even so, you said that he directed some and wrote some, apparently which certainly did give him some pull and say on what went on the air. The point was that Beaumont did make a difference in a business that wasn't a strong ally of the faith without being preachy and obnoxious about it. All of us as followers of Jesus are to do the same whether or not we work in Christian workplaces or secular workplaces.

I also agree with you that some Christians can create a barrier for the unsaved to get to know Jesus, because of how they act and treat others. Obviously that is NOT what the Lord told us to do. What these believers seem to forget is that ALL of us are sinners and some of us have had the blessing to have been forgiven our sins. Our job is to help the others to receive that same free gift that Jesus offers, not because we are pure and holy, but because of what he did for us that makes us clean in his sight. My rightousness is like filthy rags next Jesus, but his blood shed on the cross for my sins makes me clean and right with him. It is not our job as believers to judge, that is God's job. The other thing to remember is that Christians are human. Christians are NOT sinless, if they are having a real walk with the Lord they SHOULD sin less. When they keep their eyes on Christ that will be the result, but when they allow the ways of the world to creap in then the world's attitude will start to show itself and the problems you sighted start occuring. I speak from experience, anytime I take my eyes off of Christ and use "my wisdom" that's when the trouble starts, but when I seek God's will by being available and willing and then being faithful to do what he requests then things go as they should.
 
Just remember the famed quote by Dr. Gene Scott, the sham, farce and charlatan of a preacher he was...

"The number one reason for atheism in America are Christians."

I don't care who directed black and white classics. Take Chic-Fil-A. It doesn't matter to an unsaved person if a business is run by Jesus Freaks. They care about the product. Does the chicken taste like it has been warming under a hot lamp for two weeks? If so, I ain't coming back. Problem is... as unfortunate and double standard-ish as it is... when the consumer discovers Christians run the restaurant, their angst and backbiting comments escalate.

Christianity - the ONLY welcomed and unprotected group from the ire of prejudice in the world today. True. Look it up.
 
>>Take Chic-Fil-A. It doesn't matter to an unsaved person if a business is run by Jesus Freaks. They care about the product. Does the chicken taste like it has been warming under a hot lamp for two weeks? If so, I ain't coming back. Problem is... as unfortunate and double standard-ish as it is... when the consumer discovers Christians run the restaurant, their angst and backbiting comments escalate. >>

Would you have been as critical of the food quality if Chic-Fil-A was run by Atheists, Muslims, Jews, Buddists? Or is part of the problem you hold the Christian to a higher standard and when they fail to walk on water as you'd like to see then you condemn all of Christianity. You sit as the judge of all those phoney-baloney's who don't measure up to what you believe a Christian should be and you aren't in a forgiving mood so off with their heads.

God gave each one of us free will. He didn't make us into robots. There are many people who claim to be Christians that I'd have to wonder too about how serious they are about their faith or if they really had a life saving born again experience with Jesus.

I think, you are looking in the wrong place to find Christ. You are looking at humans rather than seeking out the living Christ himself. Humans, even Christian humans will disappoint and not live up to God's standard's (that's why Christ went to the cross to be the final sin offering for mankind, because we can't keep HIS law on our own). So you can spend your life being angry with all the Hypocrites you see as you bash and criticize their shallowness of faith, etc, and miss out on coming to know the Risen Christ. That would be tragic and a great loss for you, not just for now, but for eternity. Like it or not, Jesus went to the cross for you too, and he desires you to become one of his followers just as he wanted me.

Christians are so blessed because we worship the God of Second Chances. He is far more forgiving than we humans are. No matter what you've done in your life, Jesus is waiting for you to invite him in so that he can forgive you your sins and heal you of that hurt and anger that you are carrying. I encourage you to look past sinner's like me and seek out the true Lord of all, who will never let you down, that's Jesus the Christ.

Bringing this back to radio/TV, you may not have an interest in someone who directed an old TV show, but a famous person once said that if we do not know History and the mistakes we made in the past then we are doomed to repeat them. You never know, maybe someone reading these posts who thought that a Christian couldn't do such a thing as direct a secular TV show on a major network now will see that possibility and persue that career choice. You never know how God could use a faithful follower of Christ in the secular TV industry.
 
Or is part of the problem you hold the Christian to a higher standard and when they fail to walk on water as you'd like to see then you condemn all of Christianity.
Click to expand...

Yes, I do hold Christians to a higher standard. The only valid measure of any religion, philosophy or belief system is the impact it has on those who follow it. The problem with being a Christian is you have to act like a Christian. In contemporary terms, it's called walking the walk (not just talking the talk).

A lot of Christians love to talk the talk, to go public with their Christianity and "practice their piety before men." If they appoint themselves representatives of the body of Christ, they better live the role. Jesus did not have much use for the religious hypocrites of his day. In fact, they are about the only group of people for whom he did not express compassion.
 
Mike, look at context... not just text.

Chic-Fil-A was, what we call in grammar, as an example. BUT SINCE YOU ASKED... ;D

I am critical of any sub-standard product, and I voice my opinion by not purchasing their mess. However, things are different in Christendom. {{FULL DISCLOSURE, I always get the number once every other week}}

We are SUPPOSED to be a family and counsel our brother and sister. Much is the same for this post. I wish the same people weren't the only people in here. We need to challenge one another's beliefs about the application of Christian principle. We are all apologists to a fault. Let's not become hermeneutics too. This isn't about theory, it's about practice. And, as unfair as it is, TJ is correct. Christians are to be kept to a higher standard. We exalt a higher power so our quality of work should be superior... and for DECADES in radio (to bring the topic back around) it hasn't been.

PDs, GMs, pious DJs and other sanctimonious sell outs should STOP practicing what they preach and begin PREACHING WHAT THEY PRACTICE. Maybe then, we will see who the REAL Christian folk are out there. Radio is a medium that will never fade. We, as a unified group of believers, should embrace it and maximize it. Don't you think?
 
I should say I still very much respect the man who hired me for my full-time job at a Christian station. I worked for him for more than three years before I jumped to the secular station group across town. I learned a ton while working for him about radio. He's a great engineer, and I still do the occasional project for them.

I simply wanted to be able to sing at church, and God opened the doors to make that happen for me. A lot of Christian stations are great places to work. Salem in Dallas for example.

Every station group has their quirks. I've been in small market Christian radio, small market secular radio owned by a mom and pop, a privately owned station by a smallish group in a major market, and with a major market station owned by a huge corporation. They all have had their stuff. I'd much rather work for a mom and pop than a corporate group based on my experiences.

I think being in Christian radio automatically makes you hold to a higher standard. It is a part of being in the ministry. I wasn't always the best Christian station employee, but I'm not the best secular station employee either. Just ask some of the salespeople I work with. ;)
 
I'm not Hindu and when the slushie machine is broken I don't blame their religion.
 
I agree that as Christians we are held to a higher standard by the Lord. He will guide us back on to the path of righteousness when we falter, but his yoke is gentle unlike man who will use a whip.

It is too easy for us as humans to judge our brother and sister, and God is the only one called to be the judge. Remember too, that we will be measured by God by the same yard stick we use to measure others. So if we are unforgiving and harsh with others, that will be the same standard God will use for us. All too often when we are doing the judging we want the other person recieve the "Letter of the Law" where as when it is our self that's being judged we want to be held only to the "Spirit of the Law".

I do agree with Veritas De Voce that we are to challenge each other to grow in our walk with the Lord, but that challenge should be done in a loving and caring way where the intent is to help the brother and sister grow in Christ. It becomes too easy to simply pick at each others splinters as we ignore the log that's in our own eyes. That simply tears down the fellowship of believers and causes us to be "fighting" among ourselves which definitely is not what the Lord calls us to be doing.

I understand how you feel about poor quality at a store or restaurant. I've been to restaurants where the food wasn't good or have been to stores where the service was lousy, etc. I'm not big on making a scene by being loud, etc, I'll just not go to that place of business again if they can not reasonably correct the problem or if they cop an attitude like they are doing me some big favor then they'll not see me again. I don't care if they are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, worship a rabbit god, or are an atheist. If I'm not pleased by the service, quality, price, etc, etc then they'll not see me again.
 
I personally love "Chick-Fa-La" .... Not because of Mr. Cathy's faith, but I just like the stuff over burgers and fries... Soup and a sandwich is great for that lunch palet... Now, beyond that, it's neat to see the history behind the success.. But, I have, at times, scratch my head at those Christian business people who put the 'fish' on their signs and advertising.. Not that it's wrong, but sometimes I wonder why they want us others of the 'flock' to see the "fish"??? Should we not give trade to all who do good work?? That's an outreach to start the process of sharing Faith and Life to all we come in contact with??? Just a thought and not a judgement... :)
 
I didn't know that Chick-Fa-Lay (what is the correct spelling?) had soup and sandwiches (I've never eaten at one as I don't eat fried foods). So they have soup and chicken sandwiches that are not fried? If so, I'll have to drop in and give it a try.

About the fish symbol on businesses. I don't use the "Christian Yellow Pages" either. I simple go to the business that offers what I want at the price I want or can afford, etc. I think it's fine to support Christian businesses, but some of those folks take that support for granted and do shoddy work as they "fleece the flock" (some direct marketing sckemes that could also be referred to as pyriamid sckemes that you'll find trying to use a so called "Christian image" to help sell their products come to mind too. I personally do not have a fish symbol on my car either. Hopefully, my actions, both on and off the road should be my witness. I shouldn't have to go around carrying a large Scofield Reference Bible with me at work or around town for folks to know that Christ has made a difference in my life, hopefully my walk will do the talking. St. Francis of Assisi once said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words".
 
First off it's Chick-fil-A.

The heart of this post is just that God does call Christians to be held at a higher standard which is why most Christians I know do prefer to do buiness with other Christians because the standards and expectations should be higher. Our station constantly receives calls from listners looking for Christian buinesses and organzations who do a service that they are seeking. But in the end there will be a bigger letdown if the expereince is less than desireable due to the higher expectations going into it.
 
You are right... and ask ANY professional in marketing or advertising -- saved or not.

The death blow to your ad in the Yellow Pages is the inclusion of an ichthus. What does that tell you? More you want? Ask any waiter or waitress in the industry trying to collect an extra shift and what is the one they HATE... by long shot? Sunday brunch.

That is not stereotyping... that is rotten, sanctified saints filling the bill. Brethren, we have a bad rap out there. It is up to us to make God look good... not the other way around. :mad:
 
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