TV Ministries Morph Into On-Demand Services

As we work on building a multimedia site for Christ Unlimited, I've been delving into what's out there online, and it's been fascinating.

Televangelism may still be around, but the future of media-driven spiritual influence will be video-on-demand (VOD) on the web. It's a way to sample the messages and find something or someone that's appealing. Southern, Northern or British accents -- as well as Spanish -- are finding their way online to reach new audiences and to strengthen old ones.

While some of my friends consider televangelism a turn-off, primarily because of the preponderance of hard-sell/fire and brimstone ministers they've seen in the past -- and the fraudulent track record of hucksters like Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker -- this will be an entirely different way of experiencing the message for people who aren't part of a church, but who are seeking spiritual connection.

I've mentioned God.TV before, but recently I checked out Joel Osteen's site, which is something of a full-service experience with VOD, daily devotional emails and podcasts. In addition, HisChannel.com, which aggregates live church TV shows on the West Coast, has VOD offerings which include everything from bestselling author/minister Joyce Meyer to a college of theology's lessons to the not-so-late, and definitely not-so-great Hal Lindsey prophecy report.

You can even watch the Jesus Film, which has been around since I was in college to convert students. I watched a few minutes, and I think they updated the graphics since I first experienced it. It's still powerful, after all these years. Check it out.