Priest Idol

This just through on the AAP wire service.

LONDON – A church will have the chance to reverse its flagging fortunes with the help of a new TV show – Priest Idol.

The church selected for the Channel 4 program has a congregation of only nine, mainly ageing, regular worshippers.

The show, to be broadcast at the end of next year, will hunt for a new vicar who can attract more people into the empty pews at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lundwood in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

I’m stuck for words. Is this what it’s all come down to? I suppose it may have some redeeming features but with reality TV’s hunger for conflict and controversy, I wonder just how it will all pan out on the idiot box.

Of course, the idea does open itself up for some very humorous scenariaos. I look forward to reading what you think could happen in the comments section below.

Posted by Rodney Olsen



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About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He has worked in radio at Perth's media ministry Sonshine for over 25 years and has previously worked at ministries such as Compassion Australia and Bible Society.

The views he expresses here are his own.

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8 Comments

  • Rodney: Your using the term idiot box brought to memory my favorite boxing joke.
    1=What are you doing tonight?
    2=Probably going home to watch the idiot box.
    1=Really, I didn’t know Mike Tyson was fighting tonight? 🙂

  • Love what you did with the site rodney.

    Out of pure principle, I refuse to watch any reality show. I find most of them are kind of sick. And I must say that when I read your post, my immediate reaction was slapping my forehead.

    Take care friend,

  • You too hey? I agree that most reality shows are manipulative and sick. Many trade on blatant voyerism.

    I also hate what they do for the contestants. Many say that they know what they’re in for before the show begins but I don’t think they fully understand what it will be like to be ‘voted out’ and be all ‘washed up’ in such a public way.

  • Whoa! Is that for real? Yeah, it is pretty sad that it hads come to this. Although, if there was a “Youth pastor idol”with the same idea.

    “Youth Pastors battle it out to help a dwindling youth group.”

    Although sad, that might be kind of funny to watch. 🙂

  • ok, i’m going to be the odd one out…

    i don’t really watch a whole lot of the “reality” genre, but i have learnt a lot from it all. a lot about our culture, and a lot about people, not to mention the media.

    i reckon a church-based reality series would be quite fascinating to see what actually got people interested in church and christianity, etc. the unfortunate reality is that a lot of churches are self-absorbed little sub-cultures that don’t have much to do with the real world, so maybe a little reality exposure might be a good thing! 🙂

    of course, my very favourite reality show was “temptation island”, which provided some excellent insights into relationships, lust, envy, greed and good old fashioned sin. 🙂 the biggest lesson? glad that i’m married to someone i love and trust, and the struggles of these beautiful people weren’t part of my simple world!

  • Do they have to sing, catch their own food, manage a business or live in a house for a week with people as well!!!

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