VERITAS DE VOCE, your comments remind me of an embarassing experience I had at a restaurant a few years ago. At a large table about 50 feet from where we were sitting was a large group of "Christians". You could tell they were "Christians" because every other word out of their mouth was Praise the Lord ! and Hallejuah, said in what used to be called a "Boiler Factory Whisper". In other words you could hear them all over the restaurant. This group was loud, and extemely demanding of their waitress, as they ran her ragged. They made a big deal of praying over their meal again offering their prayer in that same "B.F.W.". It was very embarassing. When these folks finally decided they had abused their poor waitress enough they did leave. They left a religious tract and a quarter tip (this was a large table of about 10 people who ate large meals and even a 10% tip should have been at least $3.00). I watched as that watress walked up and saw the tract and the quarter. My heart broke. She didn't get angry, she just shook her head. Then she started to clean up the huge mess they had left at this booth. I shouldn't insult pigs this way, but what a bunch of pigs. What a witness these folks had made, not just to the waitress, but to anyone who could see and hear how unChristlike these so called followers of Jesus were. I walked up to her and quietly apologized to her for their behavior and said that not all Christians act like they did and that I was embarassed by what I saw. I asked her what was the total of their bill. She told me, and I gave her a 20% tip. She asked me why would I do this. I said, I felt the Lord telling me to bless you for what you just went through. She said, she could sure use the money and thanked me. I smiled and left, after of course giving my waitress a 20% tip too(she was a good waitress and hopefully I wasn't as much hassle to her as those folks were to their waitress). I'm not in the habit of doing that, but truly did feel the Lord prompting me to do something for that waitress. It was a small thing, but who knows how the Lord used that small bit of kindness to soften her heart for the Gospel. All too often we Christians forget that we may be the only Bible a person may ever read or be the only follower of Jesus a person will ever meet. How we treat people IS important. It could have eternal ramifications.
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Christians Working In The Mainstream
- Thread starter Retro
- Start date
G
GaryTheThompson
Guest
Kudos, Mike.
You handled it just the way it should have been handled.
You handled it just the way it should have been handled.
V
VERITAS DE VOCE
Guest
Here, Here Mike.
Perfect example of what a perfect Savior WOULD HAVE DONE, if only those "pigs" were oinking in his direction in the first place?!
Mazel-Tov brother for hearing his voice and saving a lost seed.
Perfect example of what a perfect Savior WOULD HAVE DONE, if only those "pigs" were oinking in his direction in the first place?!
Mazel-Tov brother for hearing his voice and saving a lost seed.
The restaurant reference is sad but indeed very true. My brother manages a restaurant and the last shift that anybody does want is the Sunday church crowd. What bothers me the most is that those quarter tippers with the tracks are the ones out being the most vocal for "the cause" giving every Christian a bad name. They're also the same ones calling into our radio stations winning all the prizes and never giving a cent to the listener supported stations... but I digress 
Just today, I was just thinking about how I would much rather deal with a commercial for-profit client. I work in sales and my worst and most hard to please clients are religious non-profits and churches. Just today I was hammered on the phone by some crazy church employee. I think it's a result of being overwork and grossly underpaid and I guess sometimes the stress catches up... or are we the ones to really blame? Do we as Christian organizations settle on people less qualified since our budgets won't allow us to go out and get someone with more talent and who would be a better fit? It's a bit of a catch 22 since I whole heartily believe that you have to be called into our line of work, but I also believe that you also need to be compensated fairly as well. We'll invest thousands into a new translator or a studio upgrade(all good investments), but somehow can't afford to give a fair salary to our rising stars. Maybe this is why the radio talent pool is becoming dryer by the day.
I hope I haven’t gotten too far off topic.
Just today, I was just thinking about how I would much rather deal with a commercial for-profit client. I work in sales and my worst and most hard to please clients are religious non-profits and churches. Just today I was hammered on the phone by some crazy church employee. I think it's a result of being overwork and grossly underpaid and I guess sometimes the stress catches up... or are we the ones to really blame? Do we as Christian organizations settle on people less qualified since our budgets won't allow us to go out and get someone with more talent and who would be a better fit? It's a bit of a catch 22 since I whole heartily believe that you have to be called into our line of work, but I also believe that you also need to be compensated fairly as well. We'll invest thousands into a new translator or a studio upgrade(all good investments), but somehow can't afford to give a fair salary to our rising stars. Maybe this is why the radio talent pool is becoming dryer by the day.
I hope I haven’t gotten too far off topic.
Does it bring back a 'singles night' at Perkins in Fort Myers... We'd go out at 11m after the Friday night inter-Church singles gathering at McGregor Baptist (host Church, but attended by about 20 different Churches and backgrounds.. We had the space..).. I was the lay leader and would make the calls to the different eating places before our 200 or so 18 to 40 something group would split and go out.. Then one night, my neighbor asked if I would go with the older side of the singles to Perkins (near my appartment of US 41/Cleveland Avenue)... I told the Applebee's bunch, I'd catch them next week.. I went and felt to do the "Jesus On The Steps Of The Temple" bit... I was shocked to see rudeness after the prayer and people skipping on leaving any tip money! This was the working class 30 to 40's in the group! Not one Church, but Catholic/Protestants and every inter-denominational group represented... Just as I see the first ten leaving (most only having coffee, several cups, that is... No tip.. I just blurted out, without thought..."If you can't leave 50 cents for a dollar coffee, don't order it!... About seven turned around red in the face and gave a nice tip... I apologized to getting miffed in public, but was assured it needed to be said... I stayed to the last of the group left and made sure 20% had been left for our big group and the 19 single mom serving us was in tears that they, after weeks or months, got it.... She ended up coming to my college age Sunday School and got involved in divorce recovery and married a nice guy in our Church... But, up until then, she had nothing but negative vibes about the 'whole of the Christian Singles community in SW Florida'.... We've got to watch it! And yes, working at the first Way-Fm there, we had the no givers but takers winning at the phone, much of the time.. My friends at AC WJIS said the same thing was happening for them, too.... :-\
m after the Friday night inter-Church singles gathering at McGregor Baptist (host Church, but attended by about 20 different Churches and backgrounds.. We had the space..).. I was the lay leader and would make the calls to the different eating places before our 200 or so 18 to 40 something group would split and go out.. Then one night, my neighbor asked if I would go with the older side of the singles to Perkins (near my appartment of US 41/Cleveland Avenue)... I told the Applebee's bunch, I'd catch them next week.. I went and felt to do the "Jesus On The Steps Of The Temple" bit... I was shocked to see rudeness after the prayer and people skipping on leaving any tip money! This was the working class 30 to 40's in the group! Not one Church, but Catholic/Protestants and every inter-denominational group represented... Just as I see the first ten leaving (most only having coffee, several cups, that is... No tip.. I just blurted out, without thought..."If you can't leave 50 cents for a dollar coffee, don't order it!... About seven turned around red in the face and gave a nice tip... I apologized to getting miffed in public, but was assured it needed to be said... I stayed to the last of the group left and made sure 20% had been left for our big group and the 19 single mom serving us was in tears that they, after weeks or months, got it.... She ended up coming to my college age Sunday School and got involved in divorce recovery and married a nice guy in our Church... But, up until then, she had nothing but negative vibes about the 'whole of the Christian Singles community in SW Florida'.... We've got to watch it! And yes, working at the first Way-Fm there, we had the no givers but takers winning at the phone, much of the time.. My friends at AC WJIS said the same thing was happening for them, too.... :-\Obviously, this is a real problem as all of the examples and comments in this thread show. I am a Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church, and this has been a topic of a couple of the sermons I've given during the past few years. A question I've asked people is, If Jesus dropped in at your home, your place of employment, or while you're out at a restaurant, would you be embarassed by what he'd see and hear? Bottomline is if we'd be embarassed for Jesus to see what we are doing or saying, then chances are we shouldn't be doing or saying it.
Retro said:
I have worked in mainstream radio for almost 8 years after 2 in Christian radio. Ever situation is different, but I really want to get back into Christian CHR/Rock radio at some point. In my current situation, I get to do a Christian AC show on our mainstream AC which I really enjoy.
I was just reading the number of responses to christians working in secular
radio, i've been in broadcasting over 24 years, and during this time i have
worked mainly for "non-christian" stations, and have dealt with all kinds of
people, where i currently work at least three people are believers.
There has been times in the last few years that it may be time for me to
step away from the Radio Business, things have changed quite a lot since
i first went on the air back in 1983.
One of the things i've learned while working in a "secular" radio environment,
is not to get caught up with certain activities, it may not be easy at times,
but this is important to keep your beliefs in check.
radio, i've been in broadcasting over 24 years, and during this time i have
worked mainly for "non-christian" stations, and have dealt with all kinds of
people, where i currently work at least three people are believers.
There has been times in the last few years that it may be time for me to
step away from the Radio Business, things have changed quite a lot since
i first went on the air back in 1983.
One of the things i've learned while working in a "secular" radio environment,
is not to get caught up with certain activities, it may not be easy at times,
but this is important to keep your beliefs in check.
Almost 100% of the stations that carry Dave Ramsey's Finance program are secular but he is always lets his listeners where he stands with CHRIST JESUS, not just 'GOD". He does it great in a very loving way and always ends with the reminder that "You can’t have financial peace until you have the Prince of Peace"
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P
PTCgal
Guest
I was in Christian radio for about 9 years, and almost prefer the format I'm now in over CCM. (in country radio now). Yes, I still listen to CCM (AC or CHR), but I got so burned at the station I was last at, they had me to a point I never wanted to go to church again, or listen to CCM! You have to be careful that you don't take things personal in this business... and unfortunately, CCM can get personal from listeners emails or even the company you work for. Country has been very accepting of me, and I feel very lucky. There is also a "stigma" if you will with broadcasters that go from CCM format to any other format that "that's not real radio". Just fair warning. This is a hard business, but if you have a passion for it...I say go for it. But as others have said, be prepared for not a whole lot of $$ and yes, find the remotes that feed you!!!! LOL!!!!
Totally agree... I left a CHR-New Rock Hybrid in 1999 and can't seem to get any respect in a smaller market to work regional commercial radio... I was a manager in a market between 35 and 40 and mid-management in a market 40 to 45.. When in those markets, I was always told to look at making the move back into commercial secular radio (within those markets).. Had some nice offers.. But once I left to come "Home" to a market between 160 and 165, just weekend gigs and everyone going hourly with younger talent.. The market's top talent never moved and were inside the locked gate... The main comment is always; "What are you doing here?".... Now handling two LPFM's and ENG for an AM Traditional Gospel station...Have a small "CP" to do something with (LMA most likely)... But, seem to be getting feels from a former Christian group I worked with for years and enjoyed and an outlet in my former 35 to 40 market where I was GM...That one is commercial... I guess I can see know how Christ had no respect in Nazareth....
Unfortunately, a lot of Christian radio is seen by the mainstream as the minor league ball or radio. It's not always true (KLTY and FISH for examples), but that's what I've seen.
P
PTCgal
Guest
Well here in Chicago, we had The Fish, and I worked there among other stations, and still mainstream radio doesn't look at that as "big" stations....they just see Christian radio and generally bypass you altogether. Stinks really.
B
BehindTheLines
Guest
Frankly, as a programmer, I see the fact that mainstream overlooks us as a strength for us.
In most markets, mainstream's guard is down when it comes to competing with Christian radio.
In MOST of the markets where the Christian programmers will get their head out of the sand and be competetive, they do quite well.
In most markets, mainstream's guard is down when it comes to competing with Christian radio.
In MOST of the markets where the Christian programmers will get their head out of the sand and be competetive, they do quite well.
P
PTCgal
Guest
I can speak as to my expeience here in market #3 that yes, they do. They don't give a rip about where you have worked if its been in CCM. I worked for 3 big players here, and it took me MONTHS to get my present employer to get past the fact I was in CCM to have them hire me in a country format.
B
BehindTheLines
Guest
I think major market radio is losing it's negotiating power when it comes to being picky about that. I mean, really. What does major market radio have to be cocky about anymore? There are few major markets who put out any product that's at all compelling.
The quality of major market radio isn't what it was even 10 years ago.
To illustrate, i've heard SEVERAL stations in small markets that are programmed better, have better jocks, and are more creative than the majority of major market radio I've heard.
Drove through Dallas recently and heard KLTY. They sound fantastic. Their imaging, jocks and energy are right on. They sound better than most of the stations in that market. So they're the exception to the major market slide of quality.
The vanilla cookie cutter nature of radio nationwide is disheartening.
15 years ago, you could drive into any major market, turn on the radio and REALLY tell the difference between it's product quality and that of a small market. Harder to tell now.
Sadly, that is the case in most markets now. It's all the same. Radio is largely boring and uncompelling, thanks to the cut-rate, low-budget "save a dime" mentality of radio conglomerates.
The quality of major market radio isn't what it was even 10 years ago.
To illustrate, i've heard SEVERAL stations in small markets that are programmed better, have better jocks, and are more creative than the majority of major market radio I've heard.
Drove through Dallas recently and heard KLTY. They sound fantastic. Their imaging, jocks and energy are right on. They sound better than most of the stations in that market. So they're the exception to the major market slide of quality.
The vanilla cookie cutter nature of radio nationwide is disheartening.
15 years ago, you could drive into any major market, turn on the radio and REALLY tell the difference between it's product quality and that of a small market. Harder to tell now.
Sadly, that is the case in most markets now. It's all the same. Radio is largely boring and uncompelling, thanks to the cut-rate, low-budget "save a dime" mentality of radio conglomerates.
I agree. I always thought KLTY sounded great, though I thought their "Family Friendly Morning Show" was a bit too family friendly and cheesy. Kindergarteners saying the pledge while I'm sitting in rush hour traffic on LBJ is not my idea of morning show entertainment. I'd hit the button every time.
Air 1 and K-Love sound great. I particularly enjoy Air 1.
Susquehanna ran some great and original stations in Dallas, but Cumulus has killed that so now it is all generic. It's sad, really.
I went back to a mom and pop in a smaller market where we're still allowed to do great, non-generic radio, and this building is full of refugees from corporate radio who say now, "No way."
Air 1 and K-Love sound great. I particularly enjoy Air 1.
Susquehanna ran some great and original stations in Dallas, but Cumulus has killed that so now it is all generic. It's sad, really.
I went back to a mom and pop in a smaller market where we're still allowed to do great, non-generic radio, and this building is full of refugees from corporate radio who say now, "No way."
P
PTCgal
Guest
Cumulus is awesome....after all they hired me in Rockford!!! ;D
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