The Week in Review

Cultural Trends (part 2)
Written April 11, 2006 (posted 9/28/09)

One of the most disheartening ways that television influences culture is how it has changed the message of God. The image of some of the evangelist or televangelist gives the watcher a false image of what worship looks like. People have gotten comfortable with television serving them. One can watch television and receive a message or a feel good encouragement that really does not always call for change, involvement or decision. When these same individuals go to church, they go with the same idea of going to be served. “We now live in a consumer-oriented society where we no longer ask ‘What can I do to help?’ but ‘What will this job (or this church) do for me?’ People come to our churches asking ‘Do I like this pastor? Do I like this choir? Do I like this youth program? Do I like these people?’ And asking most of all, ‘Will this church meet my needs?’ It rarely crosses anyone’s mind to wonder whether or not he or she can contribute something or be used to meet the needs of the kingdom in the context of the local church” (Stowell, 21).

The other way that television confuses the message of Christ is in the doctrine taught to the listener. The images of some of the televangelist show one of “flashy” cars, clothes and jewelry. This can be a damaging image to combat for the average pastor or minister, because people are looking for the speaker that “looks” the part. Stowell states, “The platform of purpose focuses on power, and instead of urging the shepherd to become a celebrity reminds him that he is but a conduit of the power of God to His people…The quickest way to wear ourselves out in the ministry of proclamation and to want to ditch the whole assignment is to do it for our own glory and gain” (258-259).

The media, especially television, has a substantial influence on the culture. The television shows and even the commercials all point away from God and his truth. The pastor, minister or preacher must combat these influences. They must resist first the influence on themselves and then on their messages. If a messenger is to be successful in today’s culture, they must be grounded in the truth of the Bible. John MacArthur, the author of Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically states, “In the ministry, pressure to compromise, to mitigate the message, and to avoid offending sinners will always exist. However, the preacher’s job is to expose sin, to confront the lost with the hopelessness of their condition, and to offer the cure for their wretchedness in the saving gospel of Jesus Christ” (18).

To sum it up, the church leadership is responsible for teaching the members and equipping them to fight against the cultural messages of our day. “The church leader must see to it that God’s people continually devote themselves to the study and practice of the Word of God…The Holy Spirit in His sovereign wisdom gave biblical principles that can be applied during all ages to all cultures. The rest is up to Christian ministers” (MacArthur, 59, 63).

Work Cited

MacArthur, John, et. al. Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005.

Stowell, Joseph M. Shepherding the Church. Chicago, IL: Moody Press. 1997.
Wright, Carl Jeffrey. God’s Vision or Television? Chicago, IL: Urban Ministries, Inc., 2004.