Real Issues, Real Talk

By Jennifer Johnson

After Real Life Christian Church (Clermont, FL) began broadcasting its weekend services on a local TV station, it started brainstorming ideas for a second show.

“So much Christian TV is so lame, and we didn”t want to create something like that,” says Marc Naugler, creative video director, and Chris Gingrasso, communications pastor at Real Life. “Our church name reflects who we are””real people talking about real issues in a real way and helping people find real faith. Real Talk extends those values in a new format to a new audience.”

Justin Miller, Real Life”s lead pastor, hosts each 30-minute Real Talk show and leads a discussion on a controversial issue; the first season included shows on homosexuality, marijuana, free speech, racism, mental health, and the prosperity gospel.

“There”s a wide variety of opinions,” Naugler says. “Various staff members and campus pastors participate, and we occasionally invite an expert on the topic or another local pastor. Justin shares a few guiding questions with the panel before we start filming, but we never know who will say what or where the conversation will go.”

The show, which launched in January of this year and currently airs four times a week, is already making an impact.

“A guy came up to me just yesterday and said Real Talk is changing him,” Naugler says. “He said, “˜I used to be so legalistic and opinionated, and this show has opened my eyes to how judgmental I am.””

“It”s not about “˜tolerance” or “˜everyone”s OK,”” he adds. “Scripture sets the tone of each show and we want to be guided by God”s Word and the Holy Spirit. But these are real issues being debated in our culture, and we want to be part of the conversation in a way that makes Jesus the center.”

www.getreallife.com

www.youtube.com/therealtalktvshow