Televangelism

Televangelism is the use of media platforms like radio and television to market religious messages. It is a portmanteau of the words "television" and "evangelism."

This practice is most common within Christianity, particularly among Evangelical Protestant groups. Televangelists are ministers who devote much of their work to broadcasting. Some are regular pastors of large churches, often called megachurches. Others do not have a conventional congregation and work primarily through media. While many use these tools to share faith, critics sometimes use the term derisively to suggest leaders are seeking personal greatness.

The mechanism of religious broadcasting relies on reaching wide audiences through technology. Historically, Christians shared their message by sending missionaries or using the printing press to distribute Bibles.

Radio provided a new way to reach people at a low cost. It allowed messages to enter countries where missionaries were banned. Television later increased this impact by adding visual elements to the message. This shift allowed ministers to move from audio-only preaching to full visual productions. Modern broadcasting uses international networks to reach a global audience.

There are different types of religious broadcasters and methods. Some ministers are part of organized Christian denominations. Others are independent and work outside traditional church structures. Some focus on radio, such as shortwave stations like HCJB in Ecuador. Others focus on television networks, like the Christian Broadcasting Network founded by Pat Robertson.

There are also media companies that produce religious programming as a public service in regulated countries. This creates a distinction between private interest groups and state-regulated religious media.

The history of this movement began with radio in the early 20th century. In 1923, Calvary Baptist Church in New York City operated the first church radio station. S. Parkes Cadman was a pioneer who reached five million listeners by 1928.

During the 1930s, the Great Depression led to a rise in traveling preachers. Some, like Father Charles Coughlin, used radio to reach millions of listeners. Television broadcasting for religion did not start until the early 1950s. In 1951, Bishop Fulton Sheen transitioned from radio to television. Time magazine called him the "first televangelist" in 1952.

Televangelism has reached massive proportions over the decades. By 1957, Oral Roberts reached 80% of the possible television audience in the U.S. Rex Humbard's programs were broadcast in 91 languages across 695 stations by 1980.

Pat Robertson's "The 700 Club" was broadcast in 138 countries by 2016. Today, the Trinity Broadcasting Network is the largest religious television network in the world. In the United States, leaders like Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer maintain large audiences.

These numbers show how media can scale a religious message globally.

Notable examples include the various ways leaders manage their ministries. Billy Graham and Dick Ross founded World Wide Pictures in 1951 to make Christian films. Some ministers focus on the "prosperity gospel," which teaches that faith leads to material and physical success. This teaching is a specific part of some modern ministries. However, it is also a point of significant debate. Other leaders, such as Enoch Adeboye in Nigeria, show the global reach of this practice. The diversity of these examples shows the many ways media is applied to faith.

Televangelism connects to broader discussions about media, politics, and finance. Many televangelists have developed significant political influence through their networks. The practice also raises questions about religious accountability and transparency. Because many operate outside traditional denominations, they may not answer to a central authority. Financial practices are often scrutinized by critics and "discernment ministries." For instance, a 2003 survey found only one of 17 researched televangelists belonged to a financial accountability council. These connections show how religious broadcasting intersects with modern social and economic systems.