The Last TV Evangelist: Why the Next Generation Couldn't Care Less About Religious Media (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An Insider's Look At the World of Religious Media...and What's Coming Next! Religious radio and TV has built massive networks, launched global organizations,and generated billions of dollars in donations. It has allowed Christianity to reach more people in this century alone than the rest of history combined. But that impact has come with a price. Sex and money scandals, political controversies, and the prosperity gospel have taken their toll on the perception of Christians in the culture. Religious Media has Alienated a Generation TV evangelists with fake hair and gold furniture, tasteless programming, and hard core fundraising pitches have reached embarrassing levels, and young people today want nothing to do with it. But a New Revolution is Happening in Religious Media. With more than three decades of experience in both faith-based and secular media, Phil Cooke explores what it will take to reach the next generation, before the entire industry experiences total collapse.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Conversant Media Group (February 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981951503
• ISBN-13: 978-0981951508
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,688 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #10 in

  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Ministry & Church Leadership > Church Materials

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Disturbing, Unnerving, Ultimately Inspiring Must Read , February 12, 2009

By	Rod Payne (USA) - See all my reviews

I purchased this book and lost some sleep on the first night from turning pages and making notes.

If we really care about reaching beyond the present, and recent past, we have to be willing to change our means of communication.
This book is a clear, if blunt, call for needed change.

While not everyone has the freedom to make wholesale changes in the ministry where they are serving - this book should inspire any reader, regardless of their position in the organization's food chain, to begin to ask "why can't we do things differently?"!

To be honest this book is causing me to re-think several areas of ministry. The Word tells us that iron sharpens iron. This book is like flint - it's a hard pill to swallow but it should spark the imagination of anyone who's not dead from the neck up.

Did I agree with every premise, no, but did this book cause me to think, and think hard about future media ministry direction - YES!

Frankly I don't remember the last time I paid full price for a book but I would have paid more than they were asking for this one.

Yes, he takes us to task but in the end Cooke wants us to succeed in reaching the current, and next, generations for Christ.
It shows in every page.
Thanks for a great read, if not for a good night's sleep . . .

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stuff that needs to be said.., February 9, 2009

By	Joel K. Rollins "doctorcthulwho" (Greenville, SC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one great book that needs to be read by everyone involved in Christian religious broadcasting. Phil Cooke has some great insight about the history and future of religious media.

He's opinionated, brash and says some stuff that will doubtless tick off many in the religious media community. However, if those interested in actually engaging their culture for Christ would listen to much of what he has to say then it's just possible that these powerful tools could be used to influence both believers and non-believers.

It's time for Christian broadcasters to stop being characterized as being shallow, out of date, of poor quality and simply pandering to a Christian sub-culture that would rather hide in a bubble than engage the world.

Even those not directly involved in the media should read this book. "Christian Broadcasting" doesn't have to be all about "Safe For Little Ear" bland radio, insipidly plotted feel good films or shyster televangelists and "Tammy Faye" inspired women sidekicks.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, June 9, 2009

By	R. Baker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just finished reading The Last TV Evangelist by Phil Cooke and enjoyed it and in other ways feel burdened by it...or should I say burdened by the thought of what I know I need to do - change my thinking. It's burdensome because most of my 30 year background has been traditional Christian television - from the style of the programming, to trying to appeal the typical Christian viewer to the product and direct mail driven marketing. It has been tiresome to push and push and push to get measurable results in the dwindling Christian TV market.

As Phil Cooke discusses in his book, we are faced with the need to appeal to a younger generation - to have a paradigm shift - no longer trying to think "outside of the box," but realize "there is no box." It's a whole different mindset - from the content to the way it is shot to the way it is delivered to the end user. Phil states some things that may irritate the religious spirit in some of us or that we just plainly disagree with and that's okay. However, I would encourage the reader to have an open mind with an understanding that many non-Christians and Christians would agree with his statements. We are trying to reach the world with the Gospel aren't we?

Now comes the process of changing my thinking...hmm...I think I need to read his book several more times...