the Scripture declares that he needs to hear the preaching of the Word of God. Q. "The Morning Chapel Hour," presenting perhaps the most out standing array of "live" Gospel music, also emphasizes a spoken message from the Bible, aimed at people where they live. How do you feel about the two, music and message? A. I believe every Gospel broad caster in the country will agree with me when I say that almost all of those who accept Christ through the radio ministry make the decision in response to the spoken message. M y own love of sacred music is known to many. I sing, from memory, at least one or two verses of about 3500 Gospel songs. I feature, on every broadcast I con duct, a minimum of five musical selections during a half-hour pro gram. Still, if I had to discon tinue either the spoken message or the music, I’m afraid I’d have to drop the music. I hope it never becomes necessary, though. Q. The various religious systems, which seems to be flourishing so rapidly, must know the success of this very fact. A. Indeed, and it is interesting to observe that the success of every “ off-beat” group, every false cult and sect, is due to their diligent spreading of their message. This is even true of Communism. Q. Since you feel so strongly. I'm sure you have a Scriptural basis for this standing. A. The 5th chapter of Acts relates that the apostles, having been beaten for their witness for Christ, “ ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” In the 6th chapter, verse 4, the twelve de clare their purpose to give them selves “ continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.” This is where the priority belongs. It is true that the profane mind and the carnal mind will not ap preciate such a view-point. But who are we to seek to please — those who have a distaste for the preaching of the Gospel or the Lord whose shed blood made the Gospel available to us?
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR OF "THE MORNING CHAPEL HOUR"
trends in gospel broadcasting
Rev. Wilbur E. Nelson
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N Q. What are the current difficul ties facing Christian programs? A. The Gospel broadcaster is beset with many problems. A persis tent, perennial one is the fact that many radio stations — and nearly all television stations — do not want to make their facilities available to him, even at standard commercial prices. There are a number of reason for this atti tude, some understandable, others abominable. Q. Do you think this condition is likely to continue? A. At present there seems to be a lessening of this antagonism to ward the Gospel, on numbers of stations, and availabilities come to the attention of radio ministers more frequently. Q. Is this because of the establish ment of Christian owned stations? A. A new problem has arisen, and from this very source from which it would not have been expected. I refer to a growing practice of some radio stations which were set up by Christian groups for the purpose of making time available to Gospel broadcasters. A number of such stations (not, I am happy to say, most of them) having es tablished a listening audience through the Gospel programs, are shifting well-known radio minis tries to second-rate times, and filling up their prime time periods with recordings of religious music. Q. In laymen terminology, what is the end result? A. Well, basically, the priority goes to music, not message. One may hear, in succession, selections
Rev. Wilbur E. Nelson by Perry Como, Beverly Shea, Tennessee Ernie Ford and elab orately orchestrated versions of hymns by any one of a number of Gospel conductors, interspersed with commercials, public service announcements and such, but no spoken Gospel message until the less desirable time periods roll around. Q. Of course religious music is in spiring, but the message is para mount, one would think. Doubtless you feel quite strongly about it. A. Yes, I think this is a regretta ble, if not calamitous, thing. Granted that Gospel music is a useful ministry, even though some artists and companies do record sacred music only with money in mind. It is still true that, if a Christian is to attain depth and maturity, he needs more than music -— he needs to hear and to study the Word of God. Moreover, it is true that, though an unsaved person may be attracted and in spired by beautiful sacred music,
FEBRUARY, 1963
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