The translator networks: Are they gaining souls?

[skippertthomas]

Thanks 'Lurker'.. That makes it clear from the Federal Gov't. rules book! And to a later comment, I miss my early days at Way-Fm, where we were aiming for more than the choir in our demographic of Church going youth and young adults.. We were edgy with the night crowd and to this day, Way still looks at Consortium numbers (not for street release) from the ratings company.. That is to see where the reach is going, no matter if a Church goer or a 'Seeker'... It goes in cycles....

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

quote author=rbrucecarter5 link=topic=113989.msg959114#msg959114 date=1232741458]

If we ran Christian radio like a business, we would insist on some cold, hard numbers to support that assertion. We have the best "product" in the world - salvation by grace through Jesus Christ. Yet we don't have the foggiest notion of how to "sell" that product to the world, even though the price is monetarily free.

I suspect the numbers of salvations, like the ratings numbers of the translators, are very very low. This is a waste of the radio spectrum. Something that the government is too scared to confront us about, but I guarantee the Lord will. Most Christian stations - useless in terms of new converts. The fault - the old fogies who run them.

[/quote]

One of the good things about the time and energy we spend in discussion groups is that what we say is sometimes handed back to us by someone who says: "Try out some of your own dog food here. See if it really does go down well."

It happens to me often. And I learn from it. So. Let me hand you back a bowl or two of your own dog food, and let's both learn something from it. ;D

If we ran Christian radio....... I would contend that the national, long-time Christian broadcasters do excellent research and that is why they remain in operation. Local stations probably DO NOT use the kind of logic that a good business would. But I have a question about this. Jesus in parables and teachings sometimes used examples of how humanity and civilization work (How business works?) to make a point, but aren't many of his teachings, his examples, contrary to the ways of the world....CONTRARY TO GOOD BUSINESS?

We don't know how to sell the product? When I look around at the mega-church and multi-point church phenomenal growth, I have to conclude we may know too much about how to SELL the product. Is the Gospel about SELLING the product, or is it about sharing the product? Church in America is SELLING something today.... but I am not sure we are SHAREING THE "PRODUCT".... whatever that means.

The government is too scared to confront the church about the poor use of radio? Are you ready for the government to decide what is effective results of Christian radio? If that works.... should we ask the government to also decide what is effective results of Christian church buildings? If a church is using too much electricity, gas heat, etc for the results it is getting, shouldn't the government shut it down? Are we then going to invite the government to examine the productivity of our ministers so we can know which ones to remove from service? Try this on for size: If the Muslims choose to have radio broadcasts, would you want to government to also rate their effectiveness? One set of rules for all, or one set for Christians, one set for Muslims, one set for.... (on and on and on)?

And finally... back to "cold, hard numbers to support our assertions: Can you document that old fogies are indeed responsible for the poor performance of Christian radio? And can you document that Christian radio is useless in delivering converts. And can you document that delivering converts is the best use of Christian radio?

I got a lot more picky and put a lot more what-ifs into this post than I started out to do. This is NOT a "I'm right and your wrong" message. It is intended as an invitation for every reader to ask: What should we expect from Chritian radio? How will we measure the results. How will we set our expectations for five and ten years from now?

 

[Board Editor]

MOVED: TIO: The translator networks: Are they gaining souls?

Some posts in this topic has been moved to Take It Outside.

[iurl=http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=119101.0]http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=119101.0[/iurl]

 

[gr8oldies]

Is there a piece of wood where we all notch "salvations"? What if that station is one of many influences toward conversion? I don't know how many find a station and in ten minutes are an instant fundamentalist.

 

[xmusicmatt]

As a believer I want to say I think the CSN, the CDR, the AFR, the EMF's all play a roll, one will never know how truly many folks they reach (only God knows that truely) but apperently they are reaching someone if their able to stay on the air and funded...

One of my first encouters before becoming saved was a Christian talker/CCM AM station, it planted a seed... ofcourse I really didnt start my walk until later on in life when I listened to a Christian Rocker and it finally clicked.

but I think all forms of Christian radio are being used and I admit, I am not a big fan of the talkers either but I think they still serve a purpose.

 

[anotherguyTN]

I think that there is a need for Christian talk, inspo, Southern Gospel, etc. stations, but too many times there is more than enough in those areas, and formats that reach younger listeners like CCM/Christian rock are left out. I won't word it in the same way Bruce did, but I do believe that older owners who don't get it because of having a "Let someone else do it" attitude or being anti-CCM themselves are a big cause of the problem.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Here is one possible explanation of what is happing.

First a bit of history. In the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s there was an effort by some of the large denominations to change the thinking about stewardship. It has been common for congregations to have a general fund, and foreign mission fund, a Sunday School fund, each with it's own treasurer. Sometimes even more funds. And leaders observed that funding did not always flow to the most needy or the most effective activities. It went to the most emotional appeal. The Sunday that the superintendent of the denominational orphanage came and gave a plea for poor homeless children, he went home with an offering that overshadowed some program that was equally as needy (in Leadership's eyes, at least) to UNIFIED budgets were suggested and encouraged. Then boards, budget committees, and congregational meetings were charged with equitable distribution of funds. Maybe that was good, maybe that was bad. But it provides a lesson and a scenario about Christian broadcasting.

The stations are programming what the funds support. There may be formats that should be more prominent on the dial, but if the people who are writing the checks like something else, guess what gets funded.

Some people want to blame station owners/managers who are "old fogeys". Take into consideration it may be the people who write the checks are "old fogeys".

If the mentality of those who financially support Christian broadcasting is the issue to deal with, how do you deal with it?

 

[anotherguyTN]

Perhaps one way would be for the more traditional stations or ministries to partner with CCM/Christian rock stations to push for more support for them. There are some station owners and networks like AFR, who recently ended their CCM network, but it wasn't very well done, that aren't anti-CCM, but have had a "Let someone else do it" attitude that could partner with CCM stations and networks that need support. But unfortunately there are station owners and networks like BBN and certain ministries and supporters (even among supporters of networks like AFR) who are biased against CCM and Christian rock whose attitudes will probably never change unless God convicts them and they have the backbone to admit they were wrong. Coming up with some program to try to change their attitudes may work with some, but some will for all purposes will never change. I also believe that there are also station owners and ministries that aren't anti-CCM or their attitudes have changed, but they know that taking a stand for it will cause them to lose support so they won't push the issue.

Another way might be for some more traditional stations or networks to start second networks or stations with CCM. But in this there is one major key: Get people who know how to do a youth oriented Christian station the right way. Don't just do it as an afterthought for what to do with a second station in an area like AFR did, or just go AC and still do nothing for teens.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

But unfortunately there are station owners and networks like BBN and certain ministries and supporters (even among supporters of networks like AFR) who are biased against CCM and Christian rock whose attitudes will probably never change unless God convicts them and they have the backbone to admit they were wrong.

There is (and has been through the ages) a great theological debate among church folks:  Does the church "gain souls" or it that God's job and we misunderstand our job as church.

The title of this thread piggy-backs on that debate and suggests that it is the job of translator style Christian broadcasting to "gain souls".

In the light of the discussion that goes on within our churches and our seminaries about the nature of "The Missional Church" which is the current hot-button language for the issue, the debate; are you ready to defend the premise that God can't function and do his job is radio stations don't embrace "Christian Rock Music"?  What evidence do we have that God is going to "convict" station owners to convert to rock?  Past experience seems to indicate that station owners are more likely to be guided by their wallets.

 

[gr8oldies]

Isn't their room for Christian Rock as well as Southern Gospel and talk/teaching? I don't care a lot for the KJV onlys (we have none in our area but I did DX WKJV), and certain "we're right, you're wrong" ministries either, but they will always be there. Once my pastor (United Methodist...I know "liberal church that DOESN'T PREACH THE WORD OF GOD!!!" preached about the fact that Jesus already did the work, we just have to respond. Somehow thatg seems to preclude the idea that "we (or radio stations) get people saved".

 

[R.D.P.]

Yes there's room for it all.

If a KJV only station, like BBN and/or Rejoice Pensacola can help to lead a lost person to Jesus, then good for them. I may have issues with these two stations, but I'm glad that someone is being reached for Jesus, through their presentation.

If a talker like Brother Don Wildmon and/or Brother Rob Moore can help lead a lost person to Jesus, then good for them. I tend to listen to those two people, because that's all I have currently in my neck of the woods. If it wasn't for them, my area would still be without Christian Radio.

Now for those that have CCM, I hope these stations can help lead lost souls to Jesus, as well. Although I don't have any, I can sometimes get WDJC from Birmingham Alabama and WVRV from Montgomery/Pine Level Alabama. When I listen, I find myself enjoying their presentations. May not like every singer they play but I'm glad that they're there and someone is being reach for Jesus.

I'm a firm believer that if God's hand is over it, then He'll use it for His Glory, Honor and Purpose.

Just my two cents.

R.D.P. <><

 

[skippertthomas]

I ponder more, as a long time CCM jock and Christian radio engineer... We all are called (I hope) and have a passion to reach.. We are TOOLS and nothing more.. Stewardship with our stations and cannot play as if we are ahead or behind in our mission.. We are His hands and feet to reach, teach, preach.. Heel, love and care for fellow man... In that, we are a part of it, and not all of it... I could rant on several times I've seen the lost led by the work at Way-Fm... Some of those listeners became my closest (and still closest) friends.... But, we are looking to maximize our reach, no matter the sub-method or language.. We pray that we are in sync with God's gifts we are to use... I feel I can function focused on CCM or Southern Gospel, as those are the cultural backgrounds I have been raised in.. But, why not teaching, talk and the other inspo formats? I did a little work for a 'pay for air' Christian teaching station and was floored by how many elderly were encouraged by the legitimate programs and ticked at the money grabbers.. Smart elders! We should give them more credit in their choosing of 'conduits of The Gospel'..... Have any of you had a group of witchcrafters put a note and a dogs tail on your microwave tower behind the studio, during a share-a-thon?? We did and wondered why the phones were dead for a couple of hours.. We ceased the share-a-thon for another two hours for straight battlefront prayer and then the listeners (I hope they were led by the right reason) lit the support lines up! A guy in a wreak of a new sports car is going in and out of 'pass out mode' as the jaws of life arrive.. He only knows that when the accident occured, the radio suddendly went to our frequency and he heard Gospel words of the Bible and hope he had not heard since his childhood... I am not one to make up these things... A liberal talk show host visits our "Judgement House" at my Church in Nashville, after I faxed the most evangelical part of the script to the two talk show stations to see if any controversy would spur promotion.. We invited her out to a special run through, but she came out to our regular long lines of common folks to observe and go through it with them.. She left crying... Our associate Pastor asked her whats wrong and she said she was angry at God for divorce, her life and her bitterness.. She had been raised in a tight Christian home but had found herself alone and wandering.. She 'came home' that night and told the 50kw talker to get another left sided host, as she was seeking where she really stood on issues, and to become a Mom, first... In those years from 1983 to now, I can write a book on changed lives through translators that reached through prison walls and every Christian based sub-format you could think of....Numbers and notches are of no concern, if just one heeded the call! "Come to Me or Come home!"

 

[rbrucecarter5]

I ponder more, as a long time CCM jock and Christian radio engineer... We all are called (I hope) and have a passion to reach.. We are TOOLS and nothing more..

That's the way I felt - I just needed to let the songs do the talking, and the Holy Spirit would do the rest. I happen to thing you folks at WAY-FM are doing one of the best jobs around - I sure wish we had an outlet here in Dallas, or you could get on XM / Sirius. As it is, the Denver and West Palm outlets are frequent streaming favorites of mine.

I can guage the effectiveness of a Christian ministry by how hard the devil attacks - while God's resources are unlimited, satan's resources are limited and he focuses them where he can do the most damage. Your experience with the witches and dog tale clearly show that you are doing the devil some serious damage and he is fighting back. We had similar attacks, the details are unnecessary but we made a habit of praying over the entire facility before we walked in the door. And incidents stopped.

As for other formats being effective, I cannot say. I just know that the moment we faded out the horrid music on the automation and hit the air, the calls started. And they didn't stop until we faded out our show, and put the automation back on. Calls might continue for a minute or two, but then they would stop. So the station's normal format was not generating any listener involvement or feedback, a sure sign to me it wasn't effective.

 

[R.D.P.]

Now for some more thoughts:

In some markets, like mine, Christian radio wasn't given a chance to compete with the big boys for a long time.  It was sad to see Christian radio regulated to a "Godcaster" but God was gracious enough to allow this low-powered station to provide my hometown with His Word.  It's true that the station(s) would pop in and out and have a "Weak Signal" but it was better than being without Christian radio.

When I was born in 1971, my hometown had Christian radio at 105.5 FM.  It was a rebroadcast of Rejoice Radio from Pensacola.  In 1987, that translator was struck my lighting and never returned. 

In 1992, Moody brought a new "Godcaster" to Selma but that station had the same issues as Rejoice and was forced off the air in 1999, due to a lighting strike.  Happy to say that Moody is now broadcasting at 6000 watts and that translator is back on with Moody Programming as well.

In 1995, we got a Satellator station from AFR but they had their own issues, with the NPR crowd,in the beginning. Since they relocated to 91.1, they were able to upgrade to their present 21,500 watts of power.

It was after AFR, that Christian radio finally had a chance to compete with the big boys here.  It's true that Moody and AFR may not be booming 50,000 watt stations but at least they're no longer regulated to a satellator and/or Translator status.

Although I live in a small market, I'm so thankful that God would allow us to now have two full powered non-com Christian radio stations, with a possible third one to come if my door does open.

R.D.P. <><

P.S. For years now, my hometown has been in a Spiritual warfare with a high crime rate.  With God's help, myself, Moody and AFR are trying to change this attitude and usher in a real revival that we have a real need for.