Stereotyping Televangelists

Posted by Brian Tubbs Jun 11, 2007

What do you think of when you hear the word "televangelist"?

If you're like most westerners, words such as "crook" or "liar" might come to mind. At the very least, most people seem to believe televangelists are in their business primarily for money or power. But is this stereotyping of TV evangelists fair?

Shortly after assuming the pastorate of Sligo Baptist Church in Wilmington, Ohio, I began receiving calls for assistance from people not affiliated with our church. I had been warned by our deacons that many would call to lie and take advantage of the church. I wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt, and believed (as I still do) that a church should help people.

After numerous calls and several efforts to help people in need, I came to see that there are many people out there working the system to their advantage. In one particular case, I was taken advantage of by a person that has accurately earned the reputation of a con artist in Clinton County, Ohio.

Even though we've had to put some safeguards in place, I maintain my belief that our church should help those in need as we can. And I refuse to believe that everyone who calls for assistance is a con artist or is trying to work the system.

I believe that we ALL need to have the same balanced perspective when it comes to televangelists. Just because a minister is on TV does NOT mean that he or she is corrupt.

There are many honest and honorable people who have devoted their lives to ministry and who are on television or the radio. It is unfair and inaccurate to lump them in with the dishonest ones.

Here are some questions/principles to guide you in deciding whether the televangelist you're listening to is worthy of your respect or support:

1. What is his background and track record?

It's fair to do some due diligence before you send money or (even more) trust that person to help develop you spiritually or morally. Make sure you've looked into the ministry's track record and the background of the televangelist.

2. Is there a system of accountability?

What happens to your money when you send it? You are making an investment in someone else's ministry. You need to know a little about where that money goes and how that ministry handles money. If there's no accountability (our church, for example, publishes a monthly report of EVERY check written), then that should be a big red flag!

And what about the televangelist? Is there accountability in his life? Look at what happened with Ted Haggard. Or, going back a few years, Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker.

A smart televangelist will put practices in place to hold himself accountable. Billy Graham, for instance, never allowed his door to be closed when meeting with a woman (other than his wife) in his office. My pastor in Virginia (while not a televangelist) has both his wife and daughter working in his church offices right next to his.

Accountabliity is important. If the televangelist balks at it, take your support and trust elsewhere.

3. What is his theology?

I won't tell you what to believe - at least not in this post. :) But make sure you know what the televangelist believes.

Is his ministry built around his personality or around cult-type practices? Make sure you're not succumbing to a glorified, TV version of David Koresh or Jim Jones.

His theology should be grounded in something higher than himself and should be about something more than himself.

4. What are his passions?

What does the televangelist talk about most? Does he talk about himself more than he should? Does he talk about influence and power? Does he talk about money?

It's OKAY for a televangelist to ask for money. Let me repeat: It's OKAY to ask for money. If a televangelist asks for money, don't automatically assume he's crooked. HOWEVER...is that ALL he talks about? If so or if it's what he talks about most, then you should look elsewhere.

Make sure that the televangelist's passions are consistent with his convictions, and that they are in line with God's teachings.

Wrapping this up...it's okay to hold someone accountable -- especially people you don't know. But...

Don't pre-judge a televangelist (or anyone for that matter). People - including televangelists - deserve better than that.