Postlude:
Coda
IT WAS IN October of 1969 that a momentous announcement was made on the "Old Fashioned Revival Hour."
As the choir sang the familiar theme song, "Jesus Saves," Dr. Daniel P. Fuller read the opening announcement, "The Gospel Broadcasting Association presents 'The Joyful Sound,' an international broadcast of the gospel."
As I heard these words through my headphone, I suddenly realized that, after thirty-one years on the broadcast, I was hearing a new announcement. The "Old Fashioned Revival Hour" had become "The Joyful Sound."
Dr. David Hubbard, president of the Fuller Theological Seminary, is the permanent speaker on the broadcast, and he brings to the hour a message which is both evangelistic in its appeal, and contemporary in its content.
I discussed with Dr. Hubbard the change of name for the broadcast. It is his desire to identify with the listening
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audience of our generation in his own way. It is the hope of those who guide the destiny of the broadcast that "The Joyful Sound" will retain all of the faithful listeners who have supported the Revival Hour broadcast for so many years, and that many new and equally needy hearts will be reached, as well.
It has been my pleasure to hear Dr. Hubbard on the broadcast. His messages are true to The Word. I appreciate the fact that these messages are being printed and made available to those who write for them. I understand that more is planned along this line. It is hoped that regular paperback books will be published with many of these messages, and that they will have wide distribution.
Several years ago the Revival Hour went on TV. The choir and the Quartet provided the music, and Dr. Fuller brought a gospel message. The format was different from our radio program, and although the program was well received, it was decided not to continue with TV. Dr. Fuller felt that the radio was really the most effective medium for the Revival Hour, and I think he was right.
Television is entirely different from radio. There is, first of all, the rehearsal. This involves the order of the numbers, the positions of those on the program, the location of microphones, lights and cameras, and the timing of each number. Then comes the program itself. For this, you must wear makeup. I must confess that this is the part of the TV program which I dislike most. Anyway, it seems to be a necessary evil for all television performers.
It seems to me that there are so many extraneous
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things involved in the production of a TV program, that it is difficult to maintain the feeling of spontaneity and freshness so essential to its success. I have never felt completely at ease before the cameras. I feel sure, however, that the future of televised religious programs is a bright one. Many local churches are presenting excellent programs over this medium, and there are a few outstanding programs being featured on a nation-wide network of stations.
Television presents a real dilemma to the religious broadcaster. It reaches people in their homes, and gives the preacher an opportunity to bring the message to the unchurched. But TV is enormously expensive and poses the problem of how to support such a program.
Radio has proved its effectiveness in the dissemination of the gospel for many years, and I am positive that television will eventually prove to be a widely used medium for evangelization.
It seems to me that one of the big problems is in the format of a program. It must be entertaining, but not solely entertainment. It must present the gospel, but without being "preachy"—and what about the appeal for support? It is quite likely that many of the people whom you would want to reach would resent such an appeal. I suppose the ideal way to maintain this kind of program would be to have it underwritten by those who could share the burden. I believe that those who are endeavoring to carry on this type of program should be supported by those who can afford to do so. These are days in which the opportunities for getting out the gospel are almost unlimited.
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I remember how many concerned Christians used to worry about sinister plots to get gospel broadcasters off the air. And while it may be true that some stations will not accept paid-for religious broadcasts, the fact remains that the gospel message is heard by millions every week over literally hundreds of radio and TV stations in this country and around the world.
One of the thrilling and amazing things about being in TV and radio, is that the listeners feel they know you! I have had people come up to me after one of my concerts and say, "Rudy, you have been coming into our living room with your piano music for the last twenty years, and we feel that we really have come to know you."
No definite plans are in the offing regarding television for "The Joyful Sound," but Dr. Hubbard would like to see the broadcast work into some kind of daily radio program, along with the present Sunday schedule.
Everyone concerned is giving a great deal of time, thought, and prayer to the future of "The Joyful Sound." Many are praying that its ministry will be greater, and more effective, than ever before.
What does the future hold? I am convinced that my most exciting years are yet to come! I can think of many men whose productive years began late in life, but let Paul C. Smith give a modern example:
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Smith who was then editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, came upon a totally unknown lieutenant colonel in an obscure corner of the Old War Department poring over staff papers. His name, someone said, was Eisenhower. "At the time,
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Dwight D. Eisenhower was not well enough known even within his profession to be a familiar name to a four-star admiral (Arthur J. Hepburn) or an under secretary of state (Mike McDermott)—yet he was then 52 years old!" Within the next ten years he would be a famous general, about to become president of the United States. "Which to me," said Smith, "is gratifying evidence that a man's best years may well be between fifty and eighty, even when his life has been monotonously undistinguished before his fiftieth year."
Not long ago, I dreamed a dream which my wife chooses to call a vision. It was very real to me, and I can remember the thrill which swept through my soul as I stood at the front of a church, watching every person present move toward the altar to receive salvation through Jesus Christ. I am not accustomed to dreams, but I would remind you of past reference to my preference for working in God's house, rather than in an auditorium or a radio station.
We who are of the "old guard"of the "Old Fashioned Revival Hour," who remain militant upon the earth, will become scattered in churches across the nation. Strength from those past, wonderful days will serve as our shield and buckler for the future. As I move forward in my commitment, as a minister and pianist-at-large, I serve a people who are hidden away amongst the "thousand hills" which are the Lord's (Psalm 50:10). The disciples and apostles of Christ turned their world upside down. So must we move in our changing world, holding aloft the cross of Christ, seeking the lost who are destined for God's green pastures.
There is one song which closes all of my sacred concerts.
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This hymn expresses the prayer of my life of service to God in the sublime words of Isaac Watts:
When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life,
my all.
