Church Hoppers

Last updated on: April 6, 2015 at 6:36 pm by Kenneth R. Morefield

Church Hoppers 2015-04-06T18:36:50-05:00 Kenneth R. Morefield

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It’s hard to combine reality television with church. This new television show from National Geographic has elements of Extreme Makeover, but judging from the pilot that may not be a positive association. The three principles are supposed to give an outside opinion on how to help the church. In the pilot, the pastor wants and expects a new church.The hosts talk him down and get him to focus on more attainable goals.

Questions persist, though. Will there always be a happy ending? And is more emphasis on church building what American churches need at this point? Who is going to watch this? Embattled church leaders or members to get ideas? Prideful members of successful churches to sympathize with the less fortunate?

The latter is my biggest reservation about Church Hoppers (as a show, not as an organization). I’m not sure that I buy into the premise that all church problems stem from problems that a management seminar would fix. It’s unclear whether the money for renovations in the pilot episode is coming from the show or the congregation. If the former, then there is an uncomfortable element of performing for the cameras in order to get something back. Reality TV is often scripted and edited, but it is supposed to appear spontaneous. Which is this?

There is a proverb that says when the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Can all problems be solved with an intervention, with a short burst of expert attention?

This is a reasonable alternative for those who like reality television but want it with a faith twist. Still, it could easily become repetitive and superficial. Check local listing for air times.

Previous Post

November 17, 2013

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Weir, 2003) -- 10 Years Later

Next Post

November 19, 2013 Child of God (Franco, 2013)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 10 Years Later 1999 Top 5 2007 Top 10 2008 Favorite Discoveries 2008 Top 10 2009 Favorite Discoveries 2009 Top 10 2010 Favorite Discoveries 2010 Top 10 2011 Top 10 2012 Top Ten 2013 Top Ten 2014 Top Ten Best Picture Winners Christian Spotlight on Entertainment Christianity Today Coming Soon Disclosure Disclosure--AS Disclosure--Book Disclosure--DVDS Disclosure--SEOL Disclosure--Travel Dissenting Opinion Elsewhere Emergenetics Essays Featured Film Fest DC--2014 Film Festivals Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2010 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2011 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2012 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2013 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2014 Headline Interviews Laura on the Oscar Winners Podcasts Quick Impressions Reviews RiverRun Film Festival 2014 Television The Criterion Collection The Thin Place To Stream or Not to Stream? Top 10s and Other Lists Toronto International Film Festival 2009 Toronto International Film Festival 2010 Toronto International Film Festival 2011 Toronto International Film Festival 2012 Toronto International Film Festival 2013 Toronto International Film Festival 2014 Uncategorized Video Virginia Film Festival 2011 Virginia Film Festival 2013 Women's Film Festival 2012

Select a Month February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the repeated phrase at the end of Psalm 136?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Let everything praise him Blessed be the Lord His love endures forever Praise the Lord