A STUEDY (33‘ THE FUNC‘S'iONS AND CHARACTEQSTICS OF THE BROADCASTWG AND “LN: CGMMISSIGN 05 THE NAfiONALCOUNCtL OF THE CHURCHES 0F CHREST UMTED STATES OF AMERWA Thais for the Degws of M. A. MECHiGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Juan R. Pia, Jr“ 7966 I ' I H r g. i __:._.,4 “t L I B R A R Y Michigan State University R00”??? USE ELY SMOR 3—744»? #4— ‘— ___'__.__._-—-v A STUDY OF THE FUNCTIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BROADCASTING AND FILM COMMISSION OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST, U.S.A.. BY Juan R. Pia, Jr. A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Department of Television and Radio 1966 . "I " , {p ’3. 7 &‘ Approved > L LLLILL i3 ~ kVLL'LC Mi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In the writing of this thesis, the writer acknowledges with gratitude the help of the fol- lowing: Mr. William F. Fore, the Executive Director of the Broadcasting and Film Commission, who pro- vided much of the source material for the study. Dr. Walter B. Emery who has given guidance and scholarly advice throughout the study. Juan Pia, Jr. ii CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. THE CHURCH AND MASS MEDIA........ l The Use of Mass Media in the past......................... 1 The Church involved in broad- cast media................... 5 II. BROADCASTING AND FILM COMMISSION. 13 Its Organization ........ ....... 17 Its Implementation............. 39 III. OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FULLER AND MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE BROADCAST PEDIAOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOO 62 Effects of broadcast media on SOCiety......OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 62 Creative Program Experiments... 79 Plans of the Broadcasting and Film Commission.............. 90 IV. SUPIMARY. O O O O I O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O C O O O 96 APPENDIX A.............. ...... ........ 102 APPENDIX B... ..... . ....... . ........ ... 103 BIBLIOGRAPHYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOO 107 iii CHAPTER I THE CHURCH AND MASS MEDIA The Church in the United States has used the mass media to communicate the faith which it embodies. The very essence of the life of the Church is the task of communicating. Since it is the conserver and the voice of spiritual life within the state or economic order, it must continually speak to the state and the economic order.1 To do this, the United States Protest— ant churches utilize the broadcast media, under the guidance of the Broadcasting and Film Commission of the National Council of the Churches of Christ. The use of mass media in the past. It is not surprising that the churches are using this modern form of communication. Through the ages, Jewish and Christian leaders have spread the faith through pre— vailing means of communication. In the daysof the prOphet Isaiah, the religious leaders preached to the people. As the writer of the lL. Harold DeWolf, A Theology of the Living Church (New York: Harper and Bros., 1953), page 326. book of Isaiah says: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.‘ In one of His post-resurrection appearances, Jesus said: . . . Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. . . teach them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you al- ways, to the close of the age.2 Luke, the New Testament writer, recorded what Jesus said: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.3 Hebrew leaders used symbols of communication easily understood during their period: Moses and the burning bush,4 the prophet Samuel anointing Saul as King of Israel,5 the psalmist's allegory of God as lIsaiah, chapter 52, verse 7. 2Matthew, chapter 28, verse 19. 3Acts, chapter 1, verse 8. 4Exodus, chapter 3, verse 2. 5I Samuel, chapter 10, verse 24. 3 the Good Shepherd.1 Jesus of Nazareth used parables of the Sower,2 the lost sheep,3 and the symbolism of the wine and bread during the last supper with his followers. Through the centuries, the Churchras also used the printed word in its various forms: posters, journals, magazines, books, bulletins, leaflets, pam— phlets and letters. St. Paul wrote letters to the churches in Corinth, Ephesus and Thessalonica, and to individuals such as Timothy and Titus. The printed page played an important function during the Reformation. Its impact was greatly in- creased by the invention of movable type. A church historian observed: The Renaissance movement was given wings by a great invention, about 1440—1450. . . that of printing from movable type. . . . The art spread with rapidity, and not only rendered possession of the many books which had hereto- fore been the property of the few, but from the multiplication of c0pies, made the results of lPsalms 23. 2Matthew, chapter 13, verses 3-9. 3Matthew, chapter 18, verses 10-14. 4 learning practically indestructible. More than thirty thousand publications were issued before 1500.1 Erasmus, one of the early church fathers, wrote and published important materials such as his Greek translation of the New Testament. His writings placed scholarly knowledge of early Christianity on a new plane. Williston Walker, in his history, says that Erasmus "profoundly aided a Reformation, the deeper religious springs of which Erasmus never understood, Erasmus rendered a service for the Christian classics, much like that of the Italian humanists for the pagan writers of Greece and Rome."2 At a critical point in the life of the Church, the Reformation leaders understood and used the most prevalent means of communicating their message. The vernacular Bible and its distribution was important to the extent of martyrdom for some church leaders. The printed Bible was understood in a role "not so much the cause of Protestantism as was Protestantism a new interpretation of the Scriptures."3 lWilliston Walker, A History of the Christian Church (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1949), pages 315, 316. 2Ibid., page 330. 3Ibid., page 332. 5 The Church involved in the broadcast media. The development of electronic communications has had a revolutionary impact on the twentieth century. The Church leaders of the United States have recognized this: These are not incidental phenomena of contem- porary life, but powerful instruments of commun- ication controlling major segments of the time and attention of the American people and pro- viding much of the context of information and understanding within which American attitudes and behavior are developed.1 Furthermore, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States observed that: . . . a relatively new and pervasive influence has come into our culture. . . . These new communications media deeply influence all levels of life. . . . The Church must make its resources for this interpretive role avail— able, critically and constructively, to the media of communication so that this function is responsibly fulfilled.2 The Church's use of the broadcast media or the printed page does not preclude traditional ways of 1National Council of Churches, The Church and the Mass Media. A Report of the Study Commission on the Role of Radio, Television and Films in Religion (New York: National Council of Churches Publication, June, 1960), page 5. 2"Recommendation of the National Council of Churches for a Study Commission on the Role of Radio, Television, and Films in Religion," February, 1958. 6 communication such as the worship service in the sanc- tuary or church rites. Rather, the Church strives to use all means of communicating the faith to which it subscribes. Rather, the Church is enriched by modern means of communicating the faith, taking on new dimensions and examining new concepts: The radio has added a new dimension to the voca- tion of the ministry, and has given greatly widened scope to the influence of the religious group. No longer can we visualize the church as existing only within the four walls of a building. No longer can the clergyman accept the role of pastor just to those people whose names are on the membership list of his church. The radio is there, demanding that we become ministers to the total community. Radio high- lights sharply the fact that the Church is not an exclusive institution conducted for the benefit of its registered members, but is the Christian Gospel and Christian people penetrat- ing into the surrounding life of the commun- ity. The Church, through radio, is compelled to conduct a ministry to public opinion.1 Along with their assets, the broadcast media present possible dangers which should be guarded against. Parker, Inman and Snyder have pointed out: lEverett C. Parker, Elinor Inman, Ross Snyder, Religious Radio What to do and how (New York: Harper and Bros., 1948), page ix. 7 Radio has its dangers, which must be kept con- stantly in mind by the religious broadcaster. Chief among these is one-way thought, one view skillfully presented in such a manner that there will be no answering thought from the listener, only acceptance. Radio, thus ex- ploited, produces mass man instead of the com- munal man. Every propagandist knows that radio can be used in this way, and the demagogue does not hesitate so to employ it. Martin E. Marty has cautioned on the use of the media: Whether for ideology, commerce, or control, be- cause of their design, simplification, and ac— cessibility, and because of the escape and the community they seem to create, the media, if they are truly mass media, set out to shape in men ' the proper opinions,’ to make them common men and women, unknown cit zens somehow at the mercy of the communicator. Because of this potential for man's exploitation, religious broadcasters must exercise the greatest care in program planning, and strive for a more comprehen— sive understanding of the media. It is noteworthy that responsible church groups in the United States believe that all broadcasts, lIbid., page xiii. 2Martin E.Marty, The Improper Opinion (Phil- adelphia: The Westminister Press, 1961), page 32. 8 including religious programs, should be in the "public interest." They feel that religious programs should be representative of the community or area being served, and that such programs should be a service of the broadcaster. This is closely related to the basic concept of the broadcasting industry as reflected in the regulatory aspects of the industry that the airwaves are in the public domain. However, the position that religious programs occupy in broadcast schedules is left to the discre— tion of the station. As a result, in some cases, the Church's programs are broadcast at times which have little commercial appeal and when comparatively few people are listening. In other instances, religious programs are grouped into a "Sunday ghetto" with the implication that these programs are not suitable for broadcast on weekdays. The Weekly TV Magazine of the Detroit Free Press had this listing for Sunday, May 22, 1966: Time Channel Program 7:30 A.M. TV Gospel Time (Rel.) Country Living Religious- Insight (Rel.) Faith to Faith (Rel.) l._l This is the Life (Rel.) Catholic Hour (Rel.) Travel Time Dialogue (Rel.) The Story (Rel.) Cathedral of Tomorrow (Rel.) 8:00 A.M. wmxlwibm wqum Hi4 8:15 A.M. Christophers (Rel.) Sacred Heart (Rel.) 8:30 A.M. Temple Baptist Church (Rel.) Children's Gospel (Rel.) Church at the Crossroads (Rel.) Rex Humbard (Rel.) Understanding our World Faith for Today (Rel.) Hymn Sing (Rel.) The Church Today (Rel.) NKOCDQU'IoPWN K000 (D H Mass for Shut-ins (Rel.) Sunday Morning Service (Rel.) Bozo the Clown Spotlight Woodland Chapel (Rel.) Oral Roberts (Rel.) Word of Life (Rel.) Cartoon Capers 9:00 A.M. WNKOonbUON HF4 This is a part of the Sunday morning schedukewhich depicts the "Sunday ghetto" of religious programs. Consequently, churches have shown a lack of interest in the broadcast media and the religious pro— grams in particular. Station personnel are all too 10 ready to assume that the Church is not really capable of good, audience—holding programs. Another limitation is the lack of funds to "buy" religious broadcast time from the station. Frequently, churches must settle for nonprofit or "sustaining" programs. Inspite of these limitations, the Church has been using the broadcast media to communicate since 1920 when worship services were aired on pioneer stations KDKA in Pittsburgh, WWJ in Detroit, and WHA in Madison, Wisconsin. The Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh broadcast its weekly worship service over KDKA in 1921, and Catholic Mass was first broadcast in St. Louis in 1923.1 The Rev. Howard Hough had the world's first radio congregation in 1925. This was possible through the program, "The First Radio Parish Church of America," broadcast over WCSH in Portland, Maine. Sam Guard produced the "Little Brown Church of the 1John Lawrence Dennis, An Analysis of the Audience of Religious Radio and Television Programs in the Detroit Metropolitan AreaITUniversity of Michigan: Ph.D. dissertation, 1961), page 21. 11 Air" over WLS in Chicago in 1925. The National Broad- casting Company joined the Greater New YOrk Federation of Churches in producing the programs "Young People's Conference" and the "People's Radio Vespers," in 1927.1 The radio station of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago begun in 1926, is still in operation. There were stations owned by church groups. These were stations with major portionsof their broad- casting devoted to programs with distinctly religious themes. Some stations such as WRVR operated by the Riverside Church in New York City broadcast a schedule. of music, news, educational and cultural programs, with religious programs at strategic positions in the sched- ule.2 In 1960, at least ninety radio stations in the United States were operated by religious organizations or reported that they considered themselves "religious stations."3 In the western United States, eight radio lIbid., page 22. 2Haddon William Robinson, A Study of the Audience for Religious Radio and Television Broadcasts in Seven Cities Throughout the United States. (Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, 1964, University of Illinois) page 4. 3 Ibid., page 5. 12 stations banded together and formed the Western Inspirational Network. These religious stations are supported by donations from listeners and churches in the area. The broadcast media can offer the Church an opportunity for presenting its message. The man who does not go to church to hear a sermon or share in public worship, will listen to a religious broadcast in the privacy of his home. It is logical that a study he made of the Broadcasting and Film Commission of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States. Such an organization is one approach of the Church in its involvement in the use of the broadcast- ing media. CHAPTER II THE BROADCASTING AND FILM COMMISSION The Broadcasting and Film Commission must be examined in the context of its parent organization, the National Council of the Churches of Christ. The Council is a merger of twelve interdenominational agencies which met in the Constituting Convention held at Cleveland, Ohio from November 28-December 4, 1950. The merger was the crowning effort of more than fifty years of inter-religious cooperation and twenty years of planning. It united in a program of cooperative efforts more than 33,000,000 members of twenty-nine Christian communions.l The Council is directed by representatives from each of the member denominations. By its policy of cooperation, its pronouncements on religious and social issues become a united voice for its member churches. 1See Appendix A, page 102. The Greek Orthodox Church in America became a member of the Council only after the Council was inaugurated. 13 14 Shortly after its inception, the Council began considering the use of broadcast media. Mr. Samuel McCrea Cavert, General Secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in 1952, made this . l observation: The field of radio and television is an out— standing illustration of the way in which cooperative action is making it possible to utilize vast resources for reaching multitudes with the Christian message who are not reached by the usual methods of the churches. Since religious broadcasting involves the use of very expensive equipment, it is, by its very nature, noncompetitive in character. To introduce de- nominational rivalries into it would be prohi- bitive in cost and self-defeating in our rela— tion with those who control the facilities. What is already being accomplished, valuable as it is, is only a fraction of what may reason— ably be expected by a strengthening and expan- sion of our united approach. The General Board of the National Council of Churches accepted a report of an appointed Study Com- mission on the Role of Radio, Television and Fihnin June, 1960, and a consequent policy statenent was adopted on June 8, 1963. The General Board recognized the responsibility of the religious organizations and individual religious broadcasters to use television and radio "solely for the public good." lBiennial Report, National Council of the Churches of Christ, U.S.A., 1952, page 3. 15 In order to fulfill this responsibility, the policy suggested the following guidelines forreligious organizations and individual Christians:1 1) To put the public good above considerations of expediency or of institutional or:hufividual advantage, and to function only in accordance with the highest standards of ethical sensiti— vity and Christian concern. 2) To work with persons employed in mass com- munication in order to discern our mutual respon— sibilities to serve the public good. 3) To help develop public understanding of the ethical issues related a) to the granting and renewal of broadcast licenses, and b) to the various controls exercised over program content. 4) To help develop understanding of the effect upon the general public - especially children and youth - of what is seen and heard on tele- vision and radio. 5) To help develop public opinion in support of greater diversity of programming, including programs of social significance and artistic merit. 6) To encourage the establishment of an indepen- dent, widely representative council to conduct research on the effect of programs and to make recommendations for programming in the public interest. In addition to the churches' responsibility for the public good, the Council safeguarded its own l A PRONOUNCEMENT: A policy statement of the National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, "The Church and Television and Radio Broadcasting," adopted by the General Board, National Council of Churches, USA, June 8, 1963, page 2. 16 integrity. In the use of television and radio, it stated:1 1) That the communions in the National Council of the Churches of Christ conduct their pro- gramming under the same standards of excellence and integrity they demand of secular communica— tors. 2) That the communions in the National Council of Churches cooperate closely in mass commun- ication endeavors, seeking to demonstrate the wholeness of the gospel and our oneness in Jesus Christ. 3) That the churches recognize the diversity of television and radio audiences, and that they endeavor to speak to each audience in terms of its need for interpretation of values and reinforcement of Christian principles. 4) That the religious presentation shall never be merely inoffensive or innocuous but, rather shall deal candidly with contemporary and con- troversial issues and concerns, bringing to bear on them the illumination,judgment, and healing of the gospel. 5) That mass communication bythe churches shall make clear to the general public that the Church is concerned with all aspects of life. 6) That the churches develop skilled communi— cators, theologically educated, to represent Christianity in mass communication. 7) That the churches learn to utilize what is offered by the mass media. This objective re- quires that the churches study mass communica- tion and its influence. Instruction in commu— nication should be provided in seminaries; re— search should be conducted by national de— nominational and interdenominational agencies lIbid., page 3. 17 appropriate studies should be carried out by regional church agencies and by local congrega— tions — all with the objective of comprehending what mass communication is saying and evaluating its effects. The Broadcasting and Film Commission: Its Or— ganization. The National Council of Churches established a Broadcasting and Film Commission to "communicate the Christian Faith through the use of radio, television and films." Through its constitution, the Council is authorized to "establish and maintain Central Depart- ments and Service Bureaus" for specific interests such as Broadcasting and Films.1 The By—Laws of the Constitution further pro- vide that the work of these Central Departments and Services be "administered by the General Secretary of the Council, subject to the oversight of the General Board of the Council."2 However, each cen- tral department has its own By-laws in harmony with the Constitution of the Council and upon approval by the General Board of the Council.3 l1952 NCC Constitution, Article XIII, Section 1, Section 5-B. 2Ibid., By—Laws, Article X, Section 1. 3Ibid., By-Laws, Article X, Section 2, 5—B. 18 One of the central departments is the Broad— casting and Film Commission through which seventeen member denominations and groups work in radio, television and film. The function of the Broadcast— ing and Film Commission is to "assist and cooperate with the member communions and participating non- member organizations of the Council" in the effective use of the electronic mass media (radio and tele- vision), motion pictures and other audio-visual materials in order to communicate the Christian faith. The primary function of the BFC is implemented through the following:1 1) Prepare, produce, or assist in the production of and prepare production budgets for, distribute, and promote radio and television programs on behalf of the Council for distribution through network broadcasting and syndication, in cooper- ation with local council broadcasters whenever possible. 2) Prepare, produce, or assist in the production of and prepare production budgets for, distribute, and promote radio and television programs, motion pictures, filmstrips, recordings and other audio- visual materials for units of the Council, and on request, for individual member communions and other appropriate groups. 3) Develop and maintain contacts and relation- ships with individuals and organizations in the broadcasting and motion picture industries so as to provide counsel regarding religious program— ming and the role of broadcasting and film within society. lBFC Standing Rules, IBID., Article III, Sec- tions 1-11, pages 1,2. 19 4) Encourage cooperation among member com- munions in the production, utilization and distribution of radio, television, films and other audio—visual materials. 5) Conduct research so as to improve the ef— fectiveness of religious broadcasting and films; and to engage in experimedal pro— gramming. 6) Provide suitable radio, television and film coverage of seasons of the church year and special events such as important meetings of the Council and Council units. 7) Guide, encourage and develop more effective distribution and utilization of the radio and television media and of audio—visual materials by member communions and by state and local councils. 8) Provide scripts and other helps designed to strengthen the development of live local pro- gramming through state and local councils of churches and communion representatives. 9) Assist in the recruitment, training, intern— ing and placement of personnel in the mass media and audio-visual work of the church. 10) Develop and conduct programs to teach religious leaders the theory and methods of effective broadcast and audio—visual commun— ication. 11) Make authorized representations before the Federal Communications Commission and appropri— ate bodies of Congress. The Board of Managers. Each constituent com- munion or agency participating in the work of the BFC is qualified to have a representative in the Commission. 20 A communion or agency may have more than one repre— sentative for each unit of payment made by the com- munion or agency for the general support of the staffing and operation of the Commission. However, the Board of Managers establishes the maximum number of representatives from each com— munion or agency. Up to six additional members can be nominated by the Board of Managersand elected by the General Communication and Interpretation Com- mittee of the National Council of Churches.2 These additional members may be representatives of af- filiated councils of churches. Not more than eight persons can be chosen at large. All in all, there are sixty—six members on the BFC Board of Managers, 1Schedule of units of payments will be deter— mined by the Board of Managers. Effective January 1, 1965, the schedule of units of payments is: $ 100 4,999 5,000 9,999 10,000 — 14,999 15,000 _ 19,999 20,000 _ 29,999 representative additional representative additional representative additional representative additional representative HieraHtA and one additional representative for each $10,000 paid above $30,000. 2Ibid., Article VI, page 3. 21 holding three—year terms of service. The chairman and ten others are members of the General Communica- tion and Interpretation Committee. The Board chair— man is elected by the General Communication and Interpretation Committee upon nomination of the Board of Managers. He also serves as the chairman of the Executive Committee of the BFC. He is assisted by eight vice-chairmen who are elected by the Board of Managers. These vice—chairmen serve as chairmen of the following committees:1 1) Television Operations Committee 2) Radio Operations Committee 3) Film Operations Committee 4) Promotion and Distribution Committee 5) Communication Education Committee 6) Business and Finance Committee 7) Council Cooperation Committee 8) West Coast Office Committee The Board of Managers meets semi—annually. Special meetingscan be called by the Chairman upon consultation with the Executive Director of the BFC, or upon a signed petition of ten members of the Board. Twenty-five members constitute a quorum of the Board of Managers. The officers of the Board of lIbid., Article VII, page 4. 22 Managers serve automatically on the Executive Com— mittee of the BFC. A new policy statement concerning the BFC Committees and Staff was to be submitted for approval to the BFC Executive Committee during its meeting on May 6, 1966. This statement enumerates the authority and responsibility of the Board of Managers in the field of broadcasting and film, particularly in its function as a program board:1 1) Analyze program needs and opportunities confronting the Council and its constituent communions. 2) Provide Opportunity for common counsel among constituent communions concerning ob- jectives, plans, and programs of the com— munions. 3) Within overall purposes and objectives of the Council, define program objectives and recommend them tothe General Communication and Interpretation Committee for adoption. 4) Review and recommend annual program and budget proposals, including program goals and priorities, for approval by the General Board following coordination by the General Secretary. 5) Within over—all policies of the Council, adopt the specific policies. 1 PrOPOSEd statement regarding the Authority and Accountability of the BFC Committees and Staff, to be submitted for approval by the BFC Executive Committee, May 6, 1966. 23 6) Develop and recommend prOposed policy state— ment and public reports for approval by the General Board and, within over-all policies and authorized program, issue or approve issuance of messages or reports for interpretation and explanation of such policies or programs. 7) Approve changes in programs and budgets. 8) Review, evaluate and report to the General Communication and Interpretation Committee on progress, accomplishment and problems. 9) Assist in assuring adequate financial sup- port of/for programs. A long range planning session was initiated to establish the overall objectives and functions of the BFC. The Executive Committee was to discuss the proposed policy statement: The Objectives, Goals and Functions of the BFC. According to the proposal, the objective of the BFC "is to manifest more fully the oneness of the Church of Christ and to further the efforts of the member communions in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through broadcasting, and film media."1 The BFC goals as proposed by this policy state— ment are as follows:2 1A policy statement: The Objective, Goals and Functions of the Broadcasting and Film Commission, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA. Sub- ject to approval Of BFC Executive Committee, May 6, 1966. 2Ibid., Section A. 24 l) The production, distribution, promotion and utilization of broadcasting programs and film materials for and with the member churches. 2) Cooperation and mutual counsel among the member churches in their use of broadcasting and film. 3) Cooperation among local churches and other organizations in their use of broadcasting and film. 4) A cooperative relationship with the World Council of Churches, the World Association for Christian Broadcasting and other national and international organizations involved in broad— casting and film. 5) Study and action regarding conditions and issues in the areas of broadcasting and film which involve moral, ethical and spiritual principles inherent in the Christian Gospel. In order to achieve these goals, the policy statement proposes that the following would be the functions of the BFC.l 1) Strategy. The Commission will study the life and mission of the church with special reference to the conditions and trends in broadcasting and film in our culture, in order to assist member communions to develop a cooperative strategy in these areas. 2) Production. The Commission will respond to the needs of the Council units and member com- munions for the production and distribution of broadcasting and film programs. The Commission will develop priorities in target audience designation. The programs will reflect the lIbid., Section B. 25 diversity of theological positions found within the National Council constituency and will ad— here to production quality commensurate with the best in the commercial broadcasting and film industries. 3) Program Coordination. The BFC will co— ordinate the broadcast and film materials pro- duced by member communions, and will accept as BFC programs those of member churches in accordance with its target audience priorit- ies and production standards. 4) Distribution and Promotion. The Commission will provide maximum distributionand promotion of fis broadcaSt and film products and those of its member communions accepted as BFC programs. 5) Utilization. The BFC will provide maximum utilization of its broadcast and film products, and those of its member communions accepted as BFC programs. It will maintain programs for the training of persons in the evaluation and utilization of the broadcasting and film media. 6) Field Service. The Commission will provide a field service in cooperation with the member communions, their local judicatories and with councils of churches. 7) Representation. The BFC will from time to time represent the member communions in relation- ship to the broadcasting and film industries and to government committees and agencies. 8) Interpretation. The BFC will communicate properly to the Council, its units, and to the constituent communions of the BFC its objec- tives, programs, and services, in order to earn a wide base of favorable support, assistance and adequate financing. 9) Orggnization. The BFC will maintain the necessary staff organization, budget and struct— ure to achieve its objectives. Its organization and procedures will be under constant study and will be revised as needed; its staff will be 26 developed by in—service training and func- tioning together as Christians. 10) Development. The BFC will keep itself in— formed of technological developments in broad— casting and films, and new directions in the government and industry regulation and organ— ization. The staff will continually study the major problems of communication in the mass media, will be guided accordingly in the develop— ment of objectives, program and services. This proposed policy statement reflects an im- portant self—reexamination on the part of the Com- mission. Leaders in the broadcasting and film units of member communions discussed existing presupposi— tions, plans and programming. They related their planning to the total long—range planning of the Council itself. This resulted in clearcut policies regarding denominational and BFC television, radio and film production. Hopefully, such guidelines will improve the coordination of productions in order to reach a wide variety of audiences. The future goals of BFC should be examined in the light of its activities and objectives since its inception. The Executive Committee. In addition to the officers of the Board of Managers, fifteen other members are elected from the membership of the Board, 27 representing more than six communions. The Board of Managers elects five more members and a member of the Executive Committee may choose from these five members, one to take his place at a time he may be absent from a meeting. The alternate has a voice and vote during a given meeting, subject to the approval of the Chairman.1 The Executive Committee may exercise powers of the Board of Managers ad interim, except the power to amend the Standing Rules of the BFC. This com- mittee meets semi—annually, midway between the meet— ings of the Board of Managers. Special meetings of the Committee may be called by the chairman upon consultation with the Executive Director of the BFC. Twelve members constitutes a quorum of the Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee. This Committee is composed of five members of the Board of Managers, elected by the Board of Managers to this committee. The function of this committee is to nominate to the lIbid., Article VIII, Section 1, page 4. 28 Board of Managers the additional members of the Board who are not denominational representatives. This is submitted to the General Communication and Interpretation Committee which in turn elects these nominees as members of the Board of Managers. The Chairman of the Board of Managers is presented to the Board of Managers by this committee. This is submitted as a nomination from the Board to the General Communication and Interpretation Committee, which, in turn, elects the Chairman of the Board of Managers.1 The Nominating Committee presents to the Board of Managers for election the following of- ficers: l) The officers of the Board of Managers ex— cept the chairman. 2) The additional members of the Executive Committee. 3) The Personnel Committee. 4) The West Coast Office Committee. 5) Two at-large members of the Government and Industry Committee. 6) Other committees which will be authorized by the Board of Managers from time to time.2 lIbid., Article VIII, Section 2, page 5. 2Ibid., Article VIII, Section 2,C, 2, page 5. 29 The Personnel Committee. This committee is composed of five members of the Board of Managers. The function of this committee is to recommend an Executive Director upon vacancy of this office. This is recommended to the Board of Managers which in turn recommends to the General Board for election. Further— more, this committee recommends members of the Exec- utive staff for election in consultation with the Executive Director. This committee reviews per- sonnel policies and practices of the Commission and recommends appropriate actions on personnel affairs. The West Coast Office Committee. The function of this committee is to counsel and to oversee the work of the West CoastOffice. It submits proposals affecting policy for the continuous work of the West Coast Office. This committee is composed of persons who are elected by the Board of Managers for a three-year term. They are nominated by the West Coast Committee from the following areas: lIbid., Article VIII, Section 3, page 5. 2Ibid., Article VIII, Section 4-C, 1, page 6, 30 l) a representative of each participating com- munion and resident of Los Angeles area. 2) communion representatives resident in Los Angeles area assigned by their own national agency to carry responsibility with the West Coast Committee in behalf of their communion. 3) two to four representatives from councils of churches. 4) three to five representatives from the academic world. 5) three to seven representatives from the television, radio and film industries. 6) one to three representatives from the ministry. The BFC Nominating Committee submits for election by the Board of Managers the following to be members of the West Coast Committee for a three—year term.1 1) three national communion staff persons on the Board of Managers who do not reside on the West Coast. 2) three persons at-large. In addition to those mentioned are the officers who serve in the Committee as a consultative staff. They are the Director of the West Coast Office, and the Executive Director and Associate Executive Director of the BFC. lIbid., Article VIII, Section 4-C, 2, page 7. 31 The West Coast Office is assigned the follow- ing functions:1 1) Dialogue between the Church and the industry. 2) Program idea development. 3) Liaison with film makers. 4) Liaison with network television and radio programmers and broadcasters. 5) Assistance to communions in the West Coast productions. 6) Coordination among the communion representa— tives on the West Coast. The Government and Industry Committee. This Committee is responsible in relating the BFC to the government and industry. It can represent the com- mission to the industry, government or governmental regulatory agencies upon the approval of the BFC Executive Director and the Associate General Secre- tary of the Council. The committee is composed of the Chairman, four members of the Executive Committee, and two members-at—large who do not have to be mem- bers of the Board but are elected to be members of the Committee due to their competence in this area. lIbid., Article VIII, Section 4-A, page 6. 32 The Standing Committees. The Chairman of the Board of Managers appoints Standing Committees. Each committee shall not have more than thirty—five mem- bers and one-third of them shall come from the Board of Managers. In order to implement its responsib- ilities, each committee can appoint subcommittees whose membership may not come from the parent Commit- tee. These members who are appointed to the sub— committee have a voice and vote in that subcommittee. The Standing Committees have to report to both the Board of Managers and the Executive Committee during the meetings of these bodies. Whatever actions should be approved by these Standing Committees must be approved by the Board of Managers. It should be noted that eligibility of membership to these Standing Committees should have the approval of the member's respective communion. The BFC Standing Rules have enumerated the following Standing Committees:2 lIbid., Article VIII, Section 6, page 7. 2Ibid., Article VIII, Section D, page 7. 33 1) Business and Finance Committee. This com- mittee should be composed of persons who are directly involved in budget responsibility in the member communions or agencies participating in the work of the Commission. This committee prepares the annual budget for the BFC. It out— lines the fiscal policies and advises on bus— iness matters. The committee develops and im— plements approved plans for securing funds for the Commission. 2) Television Operations Committee. This deter— mines the television broadcasting needs of the Council and develops television operations. 3) Radio Operations Committee. This committee determines the radio broadcasting needs of the Council and develops radio broadcasting opera— tions. 4) Film Operations Committee. This determines the program of the Commission for motion pic- tures and other audio-visuals primarily for use in local parish programs and other similar uses. 5) Promotion and Distribution Committee. This committee develops policies and procedures for the promotion and distribution of the programs and services of the BFC. 6) Communication Education Committee. The com- mittee determines the educational functions of the Commission in the fields such as broadcast, audio-visual and mass communication theory and practice, evaluation and utilization of program materials. 7) Research Committee. This committee will be directly concerned with the research needs of the Commission. They recommend possible re- search projects, or they supervise research pro- jects when requested by the Board. In the light of this responsibility, its members should be selected on the basis of their competence in research. It would be advisable if these mem- bers come from the research departments of the member communions and agencies of the Commission. 34 8) Council Cogperation Committee. This commit— tee serves as a BFC liaison between the councils of churches and the councils of church women in order to discover how the BFC can serve these church organizations through the use of mass communication. Thus, members of this committee are the four representatives of the councils of churches, specially those who are directly in- volved in broadcasting and film operations, and one representative from each of the Council's Departments of Councils of Churches, United Church Men and United Church Women. The BFC Standing Rules provide the sources to finance the Commission and its program.1 The first source comes from the appropriation by participating communions and their agencies, based on communicant membership with a formula determined by the Board of Managers. The present approved payment is at the rate of $9.00 per 1,000 members. However, this would vary from time to time upon approval of the Board. The participating communions and their agenc- ies can contribute funds above their designated pay- ments. The BFC receives appropriation from the general funds of the Council and from other units of the Council. Furthermore, contributions are accepted from individuals, organizations and foundations as lIbid., Article X, page 9. 35 long as such contributions are in harmony with the financial policy of the Council. The BFC charges for materials or services pro- vided for the Council or its units. The Commission sells and rents motion pictures, recordings,slides, filmstrips, still pictures, and other audio-visuals. The Executive Director. Among the elected staff members, the Executive Director performs his duty and exercises the authority usually vested in a chief executive. As mentioned earlier, he is elected to this responsibility by the General Board of the Council upon nomination of theBoard of Managers of the BFC. This distinguishes him from other elected staff members, and the extent of his duties and authority warrants a description. The BFC Standing Rules describes the function of the Executive Director in general terms. The Executive Director shall have the voice without the vote in all meetings of the Board of Managers, its Executive Committee, and all Standing Committees. He shall represent the Commission in staff con- ferences of the Council and shall act as advisor to the Commission representatives at the meetings of the Office of Communication Committee. 36 The Policy Statement regarding the author- ity and accountability of BFC Committees and Staff has a more detailed description. The Executive Director is "to provide leadership in the formula- tion, conduct and interpretation of the program, policy and administration of the Commission." This proposed policy statement specifies that the Executive Director will be assisted by the staff to:1 1) Direct the administration of the Commission and conduct of its programs. 2) Formulate over—all objectives, goals, plans, policies and procedures for the Commission in consultation with its committees and staff, and make recommendations to the Board of Managers. 3) Evaluate and report to the Board of Managers on over-all progress, accomplishments and problems. 4) Coordinate relationships between the Commis- sion and other world and national broadcasting and film bodies. 5) Prepare dockets for meetings of the Board of Managers. 6) Recommend to the Board of Managers appropr- iate services in support of programs, indicat- ing required resources, staff and policies and procedures. 7) Recommend to the Board of Managers changes in the internal organization of the Commission. 1A policy statement regarding the Authority and Accountability of BFC Committees and Staff to be submitted to approval of BFC Executive Committee, June 6, 1966. 37 8) Seek to secure adequate financial support for programs of the Commission. The proposed policy statement further de— fines the authority of the Executive Director: 1) Advise the Board of Managers, its commit— tees and staff on any matter of program, policy or administration requiring their attention, including program needs, opportunities or prob- lems. 2) Recommend to the Commission and the Commis- sion's Personnel Committee the appointment of staff of the Commission. 3) Assign responsibilities and duties to staff of the Commission, supervise staff either directly or by delegation in the performance of assigned responsibilities and duties, and advise staff in relation to their work or other matters as needed. 4) Make specific delegations of administra— tive authority to executive staff, at his dis- cretion, within the limits of his authority. 5) Administer appropriate measures for finan- cial management and control within Council policy and procedures. 6) Intervene in, and at his discretion suspend until decision can be taken by the Board of Managers, any action, statement, or proposal which in his judgment is or may be contrary to the Standing Rules of the Commission or to its established positions, policies, proced- ures or programs, and bring such matters to the attention of the Board of Managers, the General Communication and Interpretation Com- mittee or the General Board. The working relationship in the organizational structure of the BBC is illustrated by the organiza- tional chart on the next page. Gm} — oo§.oo s88. .88. 8 8 EL SH.” 54“.” Tsar}. - Lita I I re... aw: T... ...._._ T... _..._..___ 7......3 Esau-.3118. _ :53; .- 25-9.“... _.t.£.._:_ _a§_ _....ses..._.s_ _..l.p£__u._§_l.._ .fi _ L .L €5.3sfii. @558 3.585 _ w _............r dud-913.838.210.933; 223.283 2...; a: exp—ages: 39 The Broadcasting and Film Commission: Its Implementation. Mr. William F. Fore, the Executive Director, summed up the functions of the Broadcast- ing and Film Commission when he said, ". . . this means interpreting the Protestant witness wher- ever government regulation is being exercised, indus- try policy is being formulated, individual programs are being created, the products are being received and utilized."1 Since it is difficult to enumerate all as- pects of implementation over the past fifteen years, only the highlights and the more significant facets will be described in this chapter. In 1951, its first year of operation, the BFC was supported by fifteen denominations: its total contributions and earnings were $88,938. The United Presbyterian Church was the BFC's largest donor in 1951. The Methodist Church established a new Radio and Film Commission during the same year, and decided to donate $50,000 annually to the lWilliam F.Fore, An Address to the Board of Managers, Broadcasting and Film Commission, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, February 6, 1964. 4O BFC, beginning in 1952. The Congregational and Christian Churches, the originators of a cooperative radio-television commission, considered adopting the Presbyterian philosophy. At present, the United Church of Christ, USA (Congregational Church united with another Protestant denomination) has an Office of Communication. The Episcopal Church was expected to be more active in this venture by establishing a new special department on radio and television. With funds available, the BFC and its member denominations produced 1,058 radio and television programs as reported by the Executive Director.1 In 1951, the BFC faced two problems. It needed to improve the relationship among the cooper- ating denominations and to assuage the feeling that New York was improperly dominating the field of religious radio (most preachers on BFC radio pro— grams came from orvere identified with New York).2 Secondly, limited funds checked any desire for drastic change or experiment with new formats and new personalities. It was more feasible to lNCC Biennial Report, 1952, op. cit., page 105. 2Ibid. 41 continue with the seasoned, popular programs aired on radio. The first television program was broad- cast in 1951 over WABD, Dumont. It was a weekly program, "Morning Chapel," produced by BFC. The station also carried "The Week in Religion" shared by the BFC with the Jewish and Roman Catholic faiths. "Frontiers of Faith" was the first coast-to- coast inter-faith television program. Beamed by NBC-TV, it required a great many staff hours, espec- ially in the arrangements for telecasts and study of different formats. In order to better understand the audience it was trying to reach throujlsuch programs, the BFC launched a communication research project in late 1951.1 This was a comprehensive study of the dy— namics of the response to religious programs, con- ducted in New Haven Connecticut and its adjacent suburbs. This setting was preferred over a random country-wide sample for several reasons. First, the BFC preferred to study the response within the 1Everett C. Parker, David W. Barry, Dallas W. Smythe, The Television-Radio Audience and Religion (New York: Harper and Brothers, Publishers, 1955). 42 setting of the respondents' total community. Secondly, advice and resources were available from Yale Univer— sity. Finally, the radio-television fare of met— ropolitan New Haven was extensive and comparable to any part of the country. The research was conducted by the Communica- tion Research Project of the BFC and supervised by the Yale Divinity School. The Rev. Everett C. Parker of the BFC was the chairman of the Research Committee. Dr. David W. Barry, then Director of the NCC Depart- ment of Research and Survey, together with Dr. Dallas W. Smith, then a Research Professor of the Institute of Communication Research and Professor of Economics in the University of Illinois, were consultants to this project. While the study was in progress, the BFC was encouraging denominational and joint mass media pro- jects. In 1952, two more denominations joined BFC, and its total funds amounted to $122,908. That same year, the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, al— though not a member of the National Council of Chur- ches, used the consultative services of the BFC. The Synod consequently spent $500,000 to produce the 43 television program, "This is The Life." For this project, the BFC offered services and sponsorship to secure public service time instead of the paid time over local stations. Inasmuch as the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod was not a Council member, this relation— ship called for a new formula in the BFC sponsorship as announced over a local station. This had to do with the announcement of who produced the program in cooperation with the BFC. This cooperative ap- proach aroused new interest, by illustrating what other denominations could do with and through the BFC. The BFC was expected during its formative years to produce programs for the cooperating denomi— nations, few of whom had radio-television staff. However, there was a gradual increase in the number of programs produced by the member communtans of the BFC. They found it easier to raise funds for the denominationally produced programs than for the BFC programs. Furthermore, the direct line to local denominational churches by their own radio—television department was important for the promotion and . utilization of the program. BFC tended to function 44 as a coordinator of the individual efforts of the denominations and bodies that cooperated through the BFC.1 In the early years of the BFC, however, there were few denominational programs. As a stopgap measure, the BFC established a Department of Special Events. The Department utilized available programs by placing church leaders on the programs as inter— viewees. Some guests thus had an opportunity to describe the Church's projects and religious events.2 In 1957, the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches created a Study Commission on the Role of Radio, Television, Films. The Commission submitted a report entitled "The Church and the Mass Media" to the General Board of the National Council of Churches in June, 1960. This report was commended to the Council's member communions and related agenc- ies for discussion. This pronouncement was to bring about a serious discussion between churches and broadcasters. The General Board of the National Council of Churches adopted the Pronouncement, "The 1John W. Bachman, The Church in the World of Radio-Television (New York: Association Press, 1960), pages 154—155. 2NCC Biennial Report, 1952, o .cit., page 106. 45 Church and Radio and Television" based on this re- port on June 8, 1963. In its search for better programming, the BFC initiated an experimental series of lectures on Bible Teaching in September 1962. Presented over NBC-TV's "Frontiersof Faith," the lectures by Pro— fessor Edward Bauman of the American University, Washington, D.C° entitled "The Living Bible in To- day's World" drew great audience response and favor— able comment. Some of this enthusiasm came from groups which installed television sets in their churches for group viewing and discussion of the weekly broadcasts.1 The success of this series suggested the possibility of using television for quality teaching locally. The BFC strives to establish a good rapport both with the churches and the broadcasting and film industry. The BFC organized the West Coast Office in 1962 to achieve a good relationship with the in- dustry.2 The West Coast Committee proposed a 1Executive Director's Report, Annual Report to the Board of Managers, Broadcasting and Film Com- mission, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, February 6-7, 1964, page 1. 2See pages 29,30. 46 comprehensive plan for giving appropriate recognition to selected motion pictures, radio and television programs. An Ad Hoc Committee was established to evaluate the proposal and recommend a general policy on awards or recognition. The Board of Managers asked the Ad Hoc Committee to expand the scope of the awards to radio, television and motion pictures. The Committee became permanent.2 After the process of meetings and consultations, the Committee favored the establishment of a continuing program of recog- nition for meritorious achievement in theatrical films, radio and television. The Committee believes that instead of pub- licity for the BFC, "this program would dramatize the interest of the Christian Church in the creative process in the arts, encourage production of films and programs of the highest standards, give public support to those individuals in the film and broad— cast industries who strive to lift general level of production, would present the Church in a positive rather than a negative stance in relation to these 1Annual Report to the Board of Managers, BFC, op.cit., February 6-7, 1964, page 5. Report of Awards Committee, Revised and Adopted by the Board of Managers, Broadcasting and Film Commission, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, October 8, 1963, page 1. 47 media."1 This gave the Church, and the BFC in par- ticular, an opportunity to enter into significant conversations with the entertainment industry on standards, values and goals. The program caused creative discussion between the industry and the church leaders on the role of film in culture. The Categories for the Annual Motion Picture Awards are the following: 1) Portray with honesty and compassion the human situation in which man is caught in tension between his attempt to realize the full potential of his humanity and his ten- dency to distort that humanity. 2) Portray human society and its cultural environment:m.such a way as to enhance un- derstanding of the family of man in its richness and variety. 3) Treat religious subject matter, whether biblical, historical, or contemporary, with perceptiveness, accuracy, and pertinence. 4) Bring qualities of imagination, beauty, and honesty to subject matter appropriate for children. 5) Provide exceptional entertainment value appropriate for family viewing. The Awards Committee recommended that the BFC is not obliged to give recognition in each or any of these categories each year. This is to avoid the process of becoming routine and automatic. lIbid., page 2. 21bid. 48 The 1965 Film Awards, the first made by the BFC, were the following:1 The l) 2) 3) FATE IS THE HUNTER Category 1: ". . .portrayal of American life and culture in the light of Christian ideals." FAIL SAFE Category 2: ". . . reflecting the predicament and hope of man." BECKET Category 3: "Treatment of religious subject matter, whether biblical, historical or contemporary, with accuracy, pertinence and moral value." 1966 Film Awards included the following films:2 1) 2) 3) THE PAWNBROKER Category 1: ". . . honest and compassionate portrayal of the human situation." A PATCH OF BLUE NOTHING BUT A MAN THE ELEANOR ROOSEVELT STORY Category 2: "Portray human society and its cultural environment in such a way as to enhance understanding of the family of man in its richness and variety." SOUND OF MUSIC Category 5: "Provide exceptional entertain- ment value appropriate for family viewing." 1Annual Report to the Board of Managers, Broadcasting and Film Commission, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, February 3-4, 1966, The 1965 Film Awards. 2Malcolm Boyd, "The Church's Word to the Film Industry," Christian Century, March 9, 1966, page 305. 49 In December 1963, the Council Cooperation Committee was organized as provided for by the BFC Standing Rules.1 This evolved from the effort to relate the BFC plans to the need of the local church. The Division of Radio and Television of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States adopted a policy of providing matching funds to enable councils of churches to employ qualified broadcasting exec- utives. This gaVe the BFC an opportunity to utilize the service of a "coopted field staff" whose cost did not appear on the BFC budget.2 This involved a staff whose salarywes paid by the United Presbyter- ian Church, USA, but whose services were utilized by the BFC. The BFC has continued to explore the potential of using television programs for members of the church or "in-church" situations. The Executive Director has defined two general functions of the BPC: Broadcast Operations and In-Church Operations.3 lBFC Standing Rules, op. cit., Article VIII, Section 6—D, 8. 2Executive Director's Report, Annual Report to the Board of Managers, Broadcasting and Film Commis- sion, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, February 6-7, 1965, page 4. Executive Director's Report to the Executive Committee, Broadcasting and Film Commission, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, May 15, 1964, page 6. 50 Broadcast Operations, administratively, is supported by general funds from the broadcast units of member communions. The products of the BFC or member de— nominations could be available to any denomination. The In—Church Operation is supported by specific projects of member communions. Products of the BFC or member denomination go to a specific program in the specific communion at a specific time under specificcondition. This was illustrated when the Division of Overseas Ministries of the National Council of the Churches of Christ serviced approximately 4,500 radio stations with radio material for the "One Great Hour of Sharing" emphasis in the churches during the Lenten season of 1965. Similar action was taken dur- ing the "Share Our Surplus" Thanksgiving Drive.l Both projects were accomplished with BFC assistance. Furthermore, the United Church Women distributed to radio stations and to local public relations chair— men of their group, the radio material for the World 1Annual Report to the Board of Managers, BFC, February 3, 1966, o .cit. Radio Special Pro- jects, 1965. 51 Day of Prayer in February, May Fellowship Day, and World Community Day on November 19, 1965. Again, the United Church Women were assisted by the BFC in the production of these radio spots. However, the use of television programs for in—church situations ranked only the fourth among BFC's priorities in 1964. But there were several developments during the following years thdzmade this possibility more workable. The Uniform Sunday School Series, widely used in churches, indicated its interest in integrating BFC films and filmstrips into their units of study.1 NBC-TV has agreed to make film releases of "Frontiers of Faith," which would be available for in—church use. The BFC is planning the same cooperative relationship with the other networks on programs such as CBS-TV's "Look Up and Live"and ABC—TV's "Direction." The Program Operations Committee2 recommended that television programs be made availaie on film for use in local churches. The Committee indicated that this could be a self—supporting distribution 1Report of the Executive Director to the Or- ganizational Meeting, BFC, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, May 6-7, 1965, page 4. 2The Program Operations Committee has been reorganized according to the new BFC Standing Rules. 52 pattern.l If this proposal is adopted, the BFC must help curriculum designers and editors in becoming aware of these potential resources. The proposal of the Program Operations Com- mittee answered a question asked by the BFC Execu- tive Director at a Board of Manager's meeting in 1964: "How can BFC develop a systematic and coordinat— ing program for the use of Television, Radio and Films, including adequate evaluation, promotion and utilization?" The Executive Director made his own proposal to meet this new priority. First, the BFC must plan its television and radio programs more carefully by relating its format to church syllabuses and guides. This would avoid the lack of consistent follow—up in the local scene, and the absence of guidance material.3 1Executive Director's Report to the Executive Committee, BFC, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, November 19, 1964, page 3. 2Ibid., page 4. 3Executive Director's Report to the Board of Managers, Broadcasting and Film Commission, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, September, 17, 1964, page 7. 53 The other proposal concerned the twenty-seven full-time local Council broadcasters throughout the country. They could place programs more effectively and promote them better, exchange program ideas more frequently, and be centers for training in audio- visuals and mass communication. The BFC has related itself to the decision— making level of the broadcasting industry. On May 20, 1964, an informal "off—the-record" discussion was held with the officials of the National Associa- tion of Broadcasters. Press publicity was avoided, and the discussions between the two groups was very frank. Council leaders participating in the dis— cussion included the General Secretary, Associate General Secretary of the Council, and five members of the Study Commission on the Role of Mass Media. The Council leaders eaxlained how and what was said in the Pronouncement, and in turn gained a better understanding of the problems of the NAB. The NAB Officials invited Mr. William F. Fore, the BFC's 1 Ibid., page 8. 54 Executive Director to meet the head of the NAB Code Board.1 On the program level, most of the liaison with the broadcasting industry is done in the East (New York). The working relationship was well illustrated during the weekend of Kennedy's assassination. The television networks contacted the BFC staff within twenty minutes after the announcement of the tragedy, and BFC provided appropriate consultation and sug— gestions for programming during that period. To encourage this favorable relationship be— tween the BFC and the broadcasting industry, the BFC honored the officials of CBS News Division for the TV religious program, "Lamp Unto My Feet," on its fifteenth anniversary. In another instance, the BFC initiated a National Council of Churches resolution commending the television networks and stations for their broadcast coverage of the Sixth General Assembly of the National Council of Churches in Philadelphia, November, 1963. 1Executive Director's Report to the Board of Managers, BFC, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, September 17, 1964, page 5. 55 The BFC relates its activity to the government. The Standing Rules provide that the BFC shall repres- ent the interests of the cooperating communions be- fore governmental agencies. This representation ranges from the informal discussion with FCC Chairman Henry in 1964 regarding the Rogers Bill, Fairness Doctrine, radio attacks on the National Council of Churches, and the proposed changes of the Renewal Application Forms, to involvement in formal hearings before the Commission and the Courts. In June 1964, the Executive Director represented the BFC before the FCC Hearings relating to the re- vision of the renewal application forms. After the hearing, FCC Chairman Henry made mention that the BFC's presentation together with the supporting state- ments of member denominations, were the only represent- ations made in the public interest in a seven—and- a-half hour hearing. During this particular hearing, the BFC Exec- utive Director's testimony supported the FCC's pro— posed amendment to the Communications Act of 1934. 1Executive Director's Report to the Board of Managers, Ibid., page 4. 56 The BFC supported the proposal to require periodic filing by each licensee regarding his efforts to ascertain the community's needs and his past and proposed programming. Mr. Fore concluded his test— imony by recognizing that this proposal would require more of the broadcaster's time to consult with local leaders in analyzing needs and interests of the com— munity.1 The BFC will continue to seek aspects of government regulatories and make relevant stands when necessary. At present, there are the issues involved in FCC's "50-50 proposal" on prime time and the "Loevinger Paper" on religious freedom. To— gether with this, the BFC continues to conduct in- formal discussions with FCC Commissioners. In February, 1965, the Washington Council of Churches, the United Presbyterian Church in the United States, and the BFC held consultations with FCC on behalf of the local Council broadcasters. Four FCC commissioners were present to establish a two—way communication between FCC and the local 1Statement of William F. Fore, Executive Director of the Broadcasting and Film Commission, National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, before the Federal Communications Commission, June 1, 1964, page 3. 57 religious broadcasters.l In 1965, the BFC Executive Director observed at an organizational meeting "that over the next two or three years, much of our Protestant programming is going to come directly from denominational pro- ducers ."2 This would mean that the BFC would have to help coordinate the planning of these programs. Programs could be developed to supplement rather than compete with each other. The BFC could help by discovering new ideas and suggest programs which would interest the member communions. The increased need for film and other audio- visual materials prompted the BFC to increase the number of staff members. An agreement was reached between the Division of Radio and Television of the United Presbyterian Church, USA, and the BFC regarding the field service project. The substance of the agreement which was approved during the meeting of the Board of Managers, February, 1965, was: 1Executive Director's Report to the Organiza- tional Meeting, May 6-7, 1965, op.cit., page 4. 2Ibid., page 4. 58 l) A part-time loan to the BFC of the Division's Field Staff. 2) The objective to write a proposed plan of specific Field Service operations within the BFC. 3) To experiment under actual interdenominational working conditions. 4) To adopt as a current BFC Field Work Policy a modification of the Division's Policy. In February, 1965, the Board of Managers of the BFC accepted the loan by the United Presbyter— ian Church, USA of Mr. Robert Norris and his Field Staff for the year 1965. With funds provided by the United Presbyterian Church, USA, the BFC experimented with the Field Service Strategy as presented by Mr. Norris to the BFC Board oflfiregers in October, 1965. The Field Service, according to the proposal of Norris, should be interdenominational in nature.1 However, up to this time, most of the field staff members belong to the United Presbyterian Church, USA, primarily because of financing. This experi- ment has been extended for the year 1966 to achieve more consensus about the role of the field service in the BFC.2 1Executive Director's Report, Organizational Meeting, Ibid., page 6. 2Annual Report to the Board of Managers, BFC, op.cit., February 3, 1966, page 2. 59 The experiment has revealed, "that the local broadcasting unit is where adequate station liaison is possible, where programs to meet local needs and interests originate, where local training takes place, and where the development of informed com- munity groups is essential to the health of the total broadcasting system."1 In order to facilitate these conditions, the Directors of each of the five Field Service offices are responsible for making the local church aware of the potential of broadcasting. Each office is expected to assist the local church organizational and training work, and to serve as a resourcefbr program materials. The offices can also represent interdenominational interests on a "market—by-market" basis, and help denominational judicatories achieve an increased cooperation in city and state church council broadcasting. There are five areas dividing the country according to the plan proposed by Mr. Norris, shown by the chart for the Field Services on the next page. lIbid., page 3. 1‘. I ‘1‘ II‘II‘I SIZE 036 x 11 UNITED STATES 60 STATE crrv MAP 3,. H R AN D MCNALLY hfifiom Hfiommsm . add 23th 4600 l/ 66 poses eschew 25...... m3 :0 maone phenom (08¢ chgud a «a 8 m