GOD TV…..The Show Must Go On!!!

There’s been quite a ‘stooshie’ at GOD TV in recent weeks.  In a press release on October 2, the TV channel’s website announced that GOD TV co-founder Rory Alec was leaving the Network having stepped down as Chairman and CEO. Mr Alec’s resignation was apparently due to ‘a moral failure’ concerning his marriage i.e. he has left his wife and is now living with a jazz musician in South Africa.

GOD TV Co-founder and Director of Television, Wendy Alec continues to lead the Network with the senior management team, supported by the GOD TV Board.

Rory Alec has informed GOD TV staff that: ‘after 20 years of service, I have had a moral failure this year. For this reason, I am stepping down. Please forgive me for the disappointment I’ve caused, but I know your eyes are on Jesus who is the author and finisher of your faith and not on me, an imperfect man. It is with a heavy heart that I confirm my season with GOD TV is over for now.”

While some Christians will have been shocked by the GOD TV situation, ‘moral failure’ is something that many have come accept as part and parcel of the contemporary Christian media, its mega-pastors, ‘rock star’ worship leaders and aberrant apostles and prophets. Adultery, theft and general corruption has become increasingly commonplace in celebrity Christian culture.  

Writing in Christian Today in an article entitled: ‘The real problem with God TV is not Rory Alec's moral failure', David Robertson ‘cuts to the chase’ when he says, “whenever I have watched God TV, what comes across to me is that it is primarily about money and power. And when you have those two at the centre it's not long before the third part of that particular unholy trinity, sex, rears its ugly head”.

In his article, David Robertson highlights some of the key corrupt elements of the TV channel summarised as follows:

·         Missions Weeks: “They were nothing of the sort……purely and entirely about raising money……Rory and Wendy would tell us that it was about reaching one billion souls. That was hyperbolic sales talk, confusing the possibility that God TV "could" be seen on several million TV sets……..the manipulation, sales talk and constant pleading for money "for the work of the kingdom" was nauseating.”

 

·         Power: “I have yet to see a God TV programme which extolled the virtues of weakness. Everything was about strength and power. Power-dressed shiny happy people beamed out of our TV screens a picture of wealth, health and success……. The Church is not a corporation. Nor is it an entertainment or an advertising agency. Godliness is not a way to get wealthy. Or famous. Or to have your own 'ministry'. The Church is to be the pillar and ground of the truth. Much of modern corporate Christianity has become pillarless and groundless. As a result it has also become brainless, banal and spiritually bankrupt. And it is certainly not harmless”.

 

 

·         Charlatans:  “The problem with God TV is not the moral failure of Rory's adultery. It is the moral failure of associating the Good News of Jesus to the poor with the prosperity gospel and health and wealth blasphemy of Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyer.”

Many Christians will no doubt criticise David Robertson for speaking out so forcefully about the GOD TV scandal. Some will say ‘it’s wrong to judge’, yet all Christians are called to be discerning.  Jesus himself spoke out forcefully against the rich, powerful, and corrupt religious authorities.

As a born again believer I believe he should be congratulated for having the courage to speak up and expose the corruption and spiritual bankruptcy of GOD TV. 

Wendy Alec spoke about her situation on a GOD TV ‘revival alert’ on 8 October. Close to tears and obviously pained by her husband’s betrayal, she stated that she will nevertheless carry on at the helm of GOD TV.

I’m sure that the many ordinary Christians observing the broadcast felt for Wendy. The lady needs prayer, support, counselling and time away from the spotlight of the delusional Christian media circus, if not for her own sake for the sake of her children.

Meanwhile, in the ‘la….la land soap opera’ that is GOD TV, ‘the show must go on’.