Jim B said:
Healing is not a marketing tool for televangelism.
No offence Jim B., but that is simply not true!
Hold still and let me explain...
televangelism is simply evangelistic services that are televised. But it is
still called or identified as evangelism. This using of the television medium, I'm sure, is in accordance with God's plans. Besides, why should we let the world have it all? We can use it to bring the Gospel of Jesus to people who would otherwise not see the Power of God demonstrated (in a public way)!!!
Ok, with that pointed out, let me now explain that
testimonies is quite simply, the confession of what God did for that person. I know only too well that new born babes in Jesus haven't had enough time to change, so it is only natural that they (not knowing what they are really saying) give the credit to (place any minister's name here) for their healing or healings. I also know only too well that whenever someone does that, Benny immediately
corrects them by telling them that he had nothing to with it, that it was JESUS who did it...
I said all of that, to say this...
Jesus fame spread by what? TESTIMONIES!!! That is an form of "
marketing", whether you want to admit it or not. Word of mouth plays a very important part in
announcing or announcements of... Am I right???
Jim B said:
For example, this morning in our church my daughter-in-law, whose baby is due, was concerned because the baby was positioned breach. A group of of members who do not have a TV ministry nor anything personal to gain from it simply laid hands on her and appealed to the Lord for help. Immediately after church she called, in tears, to tell us the baby had turned. The only reason I mention this is because it was done without fanfare or without exploitation and for no other reason than some of our members who prefer to remain forever anonymous, had compassion on an expectant mother. And it happens in throusands of churches and neighborhoods every week.
I am always amazed at what God can do, out of His love for us, I give Him the praise and the Glory for that and all of the other things we never hear about. It's too bad that we don't have a tv program where people testify in public, the things that God has done for them, because if we did, then the hearer's faith would rise and hope would enter their hearts and they would dare to believe that God will do that for them!!!
I thank God for all of the Christian programs that God uses to display His awesome Power, yes, God uses television to display His saving Power and Grace to a lost and dieing world!!!
Jim B., I'm not saying that you are jealous of Benny Hinn, but I
will say that a lot of pastors do have a problem with televangelists on the basis of mammon! Two of my pastors have confessed this to me. It stems from self-pride...
Jim B. and others, perhaps a self examination should be performed, is there any leaven in your house? We should be interceding for the people God has placed under the spotlights, after all, they are as human as you and I...We should be upholding them in our daily prayers and thanking God for the people He has chosen to display His mighty power through.
Don't forget, King David was persecuted by his own brethren, led by a very jealous man and God held David up.
My point is simply this, instead of attacking someone, pray for that person! I'd hate to have to explain to Jesus the reasons I attacked a person He charged to operate in that calling!!! That is just like murmuring against Jesus for the callings He places on people, that's not really any of our business, people don't question their employer's decisions, do they? No, they
honor those decisions made by their management body. To a higher degree, the same applies to our relationship with Jesus...