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Christian TV Done Right
By John W. Kennedy | August 6, 2008
On Monday I had the privilege of being interviewed in Pittsburgh by Ron Hembree, host of Cornerstone TeleVision. Four days a week Ron presides over a one-hour program 
called Focus 4. Ron—who worked for four years at Assemblies of God headquarters in his younger days—is a great interviewer while keeping the show moving. He’s relaxed, congenial, affirming, scripturally knowledgeable and savvy on current events.
In the wide-ranging discussion, Ron zeroed in on an article I wrote for Today’s Pentecostal Evangel’s July 13 edition: Does God Want You to Be Rich? Ron is rightly troubled about the stereotypical televangelist who proclaims that Christianity is all about wearing the best clothes, driving the most luxurious car and living in the fanciest mansions.
Cornerstone, on the other hand, is doing Christian television with responsible stewardship. The network blends evangelism, entertainment and edification to attract both Christians and non-Christians. Cornerstone has more than 100 affiliate stations around the country and in-house production of 16 innovative original programs that are both culturally relevant and biblically sound.
Of course it takes a lot of money to stay on the air, but Cornerstone doesn’t resort to false promises that God will reward viewers if they donate a certain amount nor does the ministry engage in perpetual crisis-mode techniques. In a word, Cornerstone has integrity, and that’s an essential ingredient to draw non-Christians who are flipping the dial.
The show on which I appeared is airing today at 1 and 7 p.m. Eastern time. It also is available here.
Topics: television |
August 6th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Great. There’s hope for the believing media masses, after all.
August 6th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Great assessment! Hembree is quality all the way and never an embarrassment to the Kingdom of God nor his associates. May there be more like him!
August 6th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Just got off the TPE website where I read the article referenced in your blog, having missed it last month while traveling. What a great piece!
I live a “comfortable life” now in the material realm, but I find myself working spiritually to get back to the place where I was when I first found the Lord. At that time, I was living in a furnished room, had 7 shirts and 3 pairs of jeans to my name. But my life was so rich in God. My home “entertainment” was Christian Radio and my new NIV Bible. Nights out were coffee with friends and Church. Silver and gold had I none……….
As always, thanks for your words.
ron
August 11th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Thank you for your encouraging article. It was very balanced and I believe, biblical. There doesn’t seem to many voices out there like yours, so I wanted to encourage you that there are people in America that want the spiritual riches of Christ. God bless you. Keep articles like this coming.
Sincerely, Christine Bell
P.S. I saw you on CTV, otherwise I wouldn’t have know anything about you or TPE. I read your article online.