The programming format/category “religious programming” is a bit muddled at the moment – the fairly distinct music formats – gospel, Contemporary Christian and Christian Rock were fairly obvious – and I’ve grouped the Christian sects who have a large radio presence backed by a separate distinct identity – Catholics, 7th Day Adventists and Calvary Chapel, and recently a group that are single churches mostly seeking to recruit new members in their local area.
But the other stations are hard to sort out into well defined formats – they are mostly Protestant denominations and mostly evangelical with the purpose of saving souls, even if you don’t ever go to a physical building – just send cash or donate your car to Jesus.
There are two primary groupings I see for this – Christian Talk, which is live or almost live programming focused on current events – Focus on the Family, Jay Seculow Live, Janet Mefford, Phyllis Schaffley are examples. “Christian Teaching” are prerecorded, timeless, evergreen religious programming to educate Christians, save souls or raise money to build mansions with gold covered toilets. “Bible Teaching” seems like it might be its own category, but are Moody Bible and Illinois Bible Institute really any different than Jimmy Swaggart and Donald Wildman?
Since I’m not a Christian, I’m soliciting opinions of those who are.
Based on my experience, Moody appears to be the real deal. Swaggart has his own tv network: Son Life I think it’s called. Mostly it’s him singing a lot of real slow gospel songs. I wish he’d have his cousin on occasionally to sing some gospel.