At more than 2300 episodes that have aired over the last 55 years, the BBCs Songs of Praise is one of the most recognisable shows broadcast in the UK. Originally location specific, with hymns from a single church, the style of the programme has changed to being more of a magazine format. This reflects the wider Christian audience across the country. Now it would now not be unusual to hear a classic John Wesley hymn from a church in Wales, and then later in the same show a modern worship song from a central London setting.
A favourite for those who are unable to get to a church, Songs of Praise is religious broadcasting with a light touch. But as far as Christian TV goes, it’s not at the missional edge.
Christian satellite television broadcasting network Sat-7 is different. It’s still Christian content, but the remit for the not-for-profit organisation is to see a growing Church in the Middle East and North Africa. From their headquarters in Nicosia, Cyprus, the programme diet of dramas, music videos, films, cartoons games shows and more live out the station’s slogan “Making God’s Love Visible”. The programmes are broadcast into more than 70 countries in different languages, and while Songs of Praise mainly serves those who already have some kind of Christian background, Sat-7 reaches out not just to local Christians, but also to people whose only knowledge of Jesus Christ comes from their shows.
As Christians we are called to speak about our faith. That doesn’t have to mean bible thumping fire and brimstone shouting on street corners. It does mean using the skills and talents that we have available to us to make Christ known.
The Bishop of Chelmsford remarked recently how having been out to dinner at a particularly excellent restaurant, he spent the next couple of weeks enthusing about it to everyone he met. He went on to wonder what is so different about sharing our faith? The answer should be nothing!
In whatever way we do it, on the screen of the TV, or in conversation over a pizza, let’s make the Sat-7 slogan one we can own ourselves, and Make God’s Love Visible.
(May 2016)