tions, etc. The chances and chores of “manage ment” are innumerable in terms of benefit to the enterprise involved. Only initiative, time and strength limit the alert and active manager in his rounds of duty. After good management comes good PRO GRAMMING and good ENGINEERING. They are of equal importance to the success of Gospel broadcasting whether station, studio or programs are involved, together or separately, and whether domestic or overseas. I list ENGINEERING first here simply because it is usually the technical aspect which is first considered in any new project. ENG INEER ING handles every conceivable angle of the technical part of radio and TV for Christian communications. As many missionary engineers know, there are also a good many “ in conceivable” angles that have to be met and con quered in overseas broadcasting. This calls for the highest degrees o f capability in the Christian ra dio and TV engineer. Most often, and ideally, he is a college-trained person with a respectable de gree in his field. Some can qualify because of in dustrial, military, or proctorial training and ex perience. Except for the Chief or Administrative Engineer, no one person on the engineering staff is expected to embrace all the fields involved. There are at least nine segments of engineer ing service open today to prospective technically- minded servants of the Lord: Design and construction (transmitters, etc.) Operation and maintainance Antenaes Hydro-plant; electrical Studio; audio; tape & other recording Civil; mechanical Communications networks; telephone Television,-transmitter, antenna, receiver Here again the list is not complete as to phases of the jobs included in Engineering, because we might add the very important role o f training nationals (overseas); of legal regulations and re ports ; and o f inventory, purchase and budget. Granted that one person might handle several of the items listed, the day has come and gone when a “ full-blown” Christian broadcast operation can “ get by” with one lone technician, overloaded with all there is to be done. Sufficient to note that the challenge of ENGINEERING in Gospel radio and TV is enormous and worthy of the finest young people whom God may call into the work. PROGRAMMING. As its good, clear and strong signal is the responsibility of Engineer ing, so by its good, interesting and attractive pro gramming do listeners “ stay in” the audience. How many people “tune us out” ! It might dismay
tian radio and TV. Since the nature of these media is the same wherever and however applied, there is really no such thing as “ Christian” radio and TV, strictly speaking—only radio and TV applied to Christian ends and objectives. Having stated this distinction to clarify our thinking, these three aspects are inherent in all such work: 1. MANAGEMENT is put first because it is the first consideration for a successful enterprise of whatever kind. Given the right kind of leader ship (which is “management” in essence) for set ting up policies in operation, arranging budget and financial matters, and intelligently selecting per sonnel, any project has made a good start toward success. How easy it is for a good preacher to think that, per se, he is a “good manager,” and there fore as capable as anyone to set up in the “ busi ness” of broadcasting the Gospel, and how easy it is for him to be wrong. Any project of size worthy of the attention of the public, and the use of its funds, calls for sound management, trained and experienced in business practices of some kind, even though not necessarily directly associated with broadcasting previously. This is the first and most important choice for the Gospel station, studio or program, in my estimation. More poten tially good projects go astray at this point than any other. It is not enough to have a good “ speaker” or “ teacher,” as well as a supply of adequate “music” for programming. Certainly these must be avail able as the core content of the venture. But, com petent managerial help must be brought in from the very start. What is the management’s field of oversight and concern ? Here are some o f the items under his charge: Administration; office work Secretarial; language-correspondence Sales or subsidy; gifts (according to type of work) Accounting; receipting; audit Purchasing; shipping; services; postal operations Legal; customs duties; taxes Personnel, - domestic, foreign; candidates Counseling; consultation Training programs; scholarships Inter-office; inter-mission Financing; property MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING PROGRAMMING
Publicity; promotion; printing Follow-through; Bible courses Special projects; expansion
This list is not complete; added to it might be prayer-circles and partners, deputational and rep resentation ministries, as well as government rela
15
APRIL. 1967
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