Looks like the “The Sisterhood” on cable network TLC, which showcases five outspoken preachers’ wives in Atlanta, will have some “holy” competition with “Preachers’ Daughters,” which debuted on Lifetime cable this week.
“Preachers’ Daughters” follows three families – the Perrys, the Koloffs and the Colemans – headed by pastors whose daughters, according to the network, “balance the temptations every teenager faces with their parents’ strict expectations and code of conduct as influenced by their faith.”
Scenarios include the Perry’s unwed teen daughter having a baby, and another voicing their dreams of being a porn star. This and more heavy-duty drama sparks the fathers to pray even harder for their daughters throughout the series.
One can’t help but wonder if Christian reality TV is a deliberate attack on Christians since the fakery, sexual content and sketchy behavior are taking over the spotlight … instead of Christ.
“This recent trend of characterizing Christians in a negative light is a blatant attempt from the enemy to discredit, dishonor and disgrace Christians, Christ and the kingdom of God,” said Corey Duncan pastor of New Beginnings Fellowship Church (NBFC). “This dismal display of Christianity often times not only feeds and fuels the fire of skeptics, but it also gives misbelievers and non-believers an unjustified justification as to not having or holding a faith in Christ.”
On the other hand, Duncan said this might be positive. He said what the devil meant for evil, God can make it work out for the greater good.
He believes the portrayal of Christians in a negative light shows the reality that Christians don’t have it all together. It highlights the fact that the sanctification in God is a progressive process. Not only does it display continual need and dependency on the grace and mercy of God, but it also testifies to the fact that God specializes in using imperfect people to accomplish his plans and purposes.
Throughout the Bible this is evident in stories including Moses the murderer, or Rahab the harlot, or even David the adulterer.
“Unfortunately a few individuals can have society’s view of Christians marred. It’s discouraging on one hand to see the negative portrayal, but encouraging to see how non-Christians view our faith,” said Terrance Bridges, associate pastor of youth at Eastern Star Church. “It’s important people realize Christians are not perfect, but are being perfected.”
Bobby Baker, associate minister of NBFC has three daughters, and is also a preacher’s kid. He says the airing of this new show is unfortunate. Baker dislikes the saying, “preachers’ kids are the worst.”
“We are like any other kid that would get in trouble,” he said. “All families regardless if they’re Christians or not have some problems with kids. To shine the light on preachers’ kids as the worst is not fair. Being a pastor’s kid already has its pressure in itself, and to put extra negative pressure on them is not right.”
He said kids really don’t understand the position of their parent as a pastor is in until they reach maturity. Ultimately society should expect them to act like any other kid until they truly understand their own personal relationship with God.
Perhaps the pressure is on pastors’ families because of the expectations from others, but in reality they have some of the same issues that any other family has. Nevertheless this does not mean the entire world should see their struggles.
Baker urges Christian families to not tune into “Preachers’ Daughters” and to pray for its cancellation.
“Pray that the reality show does not air for long. There is nothing positive that someone can gain by watching these shows,” he said. “There are enough negative reality shows out today. We need more people praying about these sort of negative shows, especially when it pertains to the negative portrayal of Christian families.”
