Lifetime TV’s “Preachers’ Daughters”: Church Girls Gone Wild

On the heels of the blasphemous “Christian” reality TV show, “The Sisterhood”, that focused on a group of bickering, materialistic pastor’s wives, Lifetime Television network is now taking a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the teenage daughters of Christian pastors in the new series “Preacher’s Daughters.”  Rather than promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the true message of Christianity, this show appears poised to do exactly what The Sisterhood accomplished: focus on sexual sin, rebellion and disrespect the name of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is the trailer for the show:

1 Timothy Chapter 3 lists the requirements for a Pastor (referred to as a “Bishop” in Scripture):

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) – 1 Timothy 3:1-5.

From its own trailer, the show is promoting the rebellion of the young daughters on the show. Just like the numerous, heretical “sex sermons” being preached in churches across the country, this reality show is using sinful rebellion as its main draw and attraction. Why would a Pastor want to be a part of a production like this? Especially in light of the standards set forth by the Word of God? As verse 5 above states a pastor should: “ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.” A Pastor’s child is supposed to be obedient to their father and take his role in the church seriously or that man should not be a pastor. Yet instead of trying to follow God’s Word, these pastors are allowing this show to use the girls’ desires for fornication and disobedience as a way to market the program and excite viewers.

Even the dress of the girl’s in the promotional materials is provocative and inappropriate. Scripture says of a Christian woman’s dress:

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. – 1 Timothy 2:9.

Form-fitting, mini-dresses and “barely-there” bikinis are on display in just the commercials and trailers and the premier episode of the show. Again, what spirit is guiding a “Christian program” that would promote itself in this fashion? This is not the way to share Christianity with the public. Would these fathers make their daughters stand outside their churches wearing these skimpy outfits, to invite strangers to come in to Sunday service? Well that is what they are doing with this television show. Using lusts of the flesh to entice viewers to tune in.

 
The Pastors – Exploiting the Sin of The Children

Three pastors are featured on the show:

Ken Coleman, City of Refuge Pentecostal Church

Here is the show’s description of the Coleman family:

Eighteen-year-old Taylor is set on pushing boundaries established by her strict father, Ken, a pastor of City of Refuge Pentecostal Church, who, following the mistakes he made with his older children, wants nothing more than to keep Taylor as his little angel. Taylor craves freedom from all of the rules in the house and occasionally rebels by sneaking out, kissing boys and giving into temptation, all the while trying to maintain her relationship with her Lord. While her mother Marie tries to keep the peace between Taylor and Ken, she fears his stern rules will push Taylor to act out even more, especially when she gets to college. Conflicted and frustrated with her father’s demands, Taylor confides in her half-sister Kendra, who Ken kicked out of the house when she was pregnant at 20. (source).

Does this sound like a family that is trying to uplift the name of Jesus Christ on this show? It sounds more like a family ready to embarrass Christianity.

In a preview clip for the show, Taylor is at the beach with her girlfriends. Wearing a skimpy bikini, she discusses becoming a stripper or prostitute as a career option:

“If money don’t be right for college, I’m gonna be a stripper,” 17-year-old Taylor, daughter of Pentecostal Church preacher Ken Coleman, laughs. “… or like a porn star or something. They always say that the preacher’s kids are the worst ones anyway, and I see why.” (source).

Taylor then proceeds to be “hugged” by her ex-boyfriend who gropes her inappropriately on camera. She then walks off with him for a private discussion while her friends warn: “stay out of trouble. You’re a preacher’s kid!” In her private conversation, she then is on camera kissing and petting with the young man. When Pastor Coleman, who is supposed to be the stern disciplinarian of the show, confronts Taylor about her behavior, she responds with looks of disgust and disrespectful talk.

In another scene, after practicing “stripper dancing”, Taylor makes a video recording of herself on her computer giving a message in which she says she has an alter-ego that “wants to be a porn star.” Photos of her in provocative outfits and making lascivious gestures (one so inappropriate the show had to blur it out) are followed by her saying that contrary to what people thinks she is not a little girls who “stays in her Bible.”

The “alter-ego” phenomenon among young women has been popularized by pop stars Nikki Minaj and Beyonce, two of the biggest promoters of promiscuity, “sexual freedom” and sinful rebellion in entertainment today (we discussed the demonic nature of their performances and personnas in an article which can be found here).

Given Pastor’s Colemen’s daughter’s behavior and clear statements, what is redeeming in any of this? What spirit is leading this show? This young woman by her own admission does not take Christianity seriously and really does not want any part of it. There is no glory to God in bringing a young girl in this spiritual condition onto television for the world to see. It is blasphemy for a Pastor to let the name of The Lord Jesus Christ be exploited in this way.  When asked why he came on the show, Pastor Coleman gave an answer from the exact same script used by the apostate pastor’s wives on The Sisterhood:

“We wanted people to see what we deal with as parents being pastors and preachers and dealing with our daughters. We’re just like everyone else. Our children are just like everyone else. They sometimes put a higher expectation on them but we want to let them know our children are just like regular children.” (source).

This is almost verbatim the same rationale used by the women of The Sisterhood to engage in all manner of sinful, rebellious behavior on their reality show. If these Pastors were truly doing their jobs, why wouldn’t their concern be sharing the Gospel? Pastor Coleman does not even pretend to have an interest in reaching lost souls to point them to forgiveness of sin and eternal life in Jesus.  Instead he wants to show that he and his family are just like the world. But Christians are called to be separate:

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. – James 4:4.

Born-again, Bible believing Christian teenagers of course will deal with the same temptations that any non-believing teen will. But the difference will be the desire to repent of their sins and the accompanying shame for knowingly violating God’s commandments. If Taylor is truly saved, this is a time for her father to give her extensive Biblical counseling, attention and love. It is not the time to give her a platform to show off the worst sides of herself to millions of people. Rather than trying to take a stand for Godly principles, Pastor Coleman is more concerned with showing just how sinful Pastors and their children can be.

The Koloff Family

“Kolby is a fun-loving, curious 16-year-old ready to start dating, but quickly discovers it won’t be as easy as she thinks since she has not one, but two preacher parents. Her father, Nikita, a former professional wrestler-turned traveling evangelist who often gives sermons to thousands of parishioners at a time, has his own struggles with Kolby’s adolescence. Meanwhile, her mother and Nikita’s ex-wife, Victoria, a Christian preacher who hosts a faith-based radio show and is the director of two pregnancy centers, carries a no-nonsense approach to talking to teens, including Kolby and her friends, about sex. With three older sisters—Teryn (30), Tawni (28) and Kendra (20)—Kolby leans on them for support and guidance on her life, particularly when Nikita and Victoria become too overbearing and embarrassing.” (source).

Former WWF wrestler Nikita Koloff’s ministry website shows that he sits on the Board of the International House Of Prayer (also known as IHOP). This organization, started by Mike Bickle, preaches many heretical doctrines premised on the belief that Bickle and certain other select men are “New Apostles” for this modern church age (a mission Bickle claims he was given when he was taken for a visit to the throne room of God in Heaven). They preach on the basis of direct revelation and conversation with God and thus the Bible is merely a secondary source of God’s Word.

In their article on “The Dangers of The International House of Prayer”, the Christian Apologetics and Research Committee wrote:

It is clear that almost all of the participants in IHOP do not have an understanding of what they are getting into. Many of the participants, including many genuine Christians who are being deceived, believe it is a place to go pray and worship, while not knowing what the theological distinctives are that make IHOP unique. The true origin started in 1982 after a man named Augustine approached Mike Bickle and said an audible voice told him to prophesy to his congregation. Later that year, Mike Bickle claimed to hear an audible voice speaking to him while on a trip in Cairo, Egypt. The voice told him, “I am inviting you to raise up a work that will touch the ends of the earth. I have invited many people to do this thing and many people have said yes, but very few have done my will.”
The major draw of IHOP is experience. People often come to me citing their experience and go back again and again to experience “God” and the “Spirit” – no different than an emotional high. This is analogous to mysticism, which is defined as “the pursuit of deeper or higher subjective religious experience,” and “that spiritual reality is perceived apart from the human intellect and natural senses.” [13] They practice what is known as centering or contemplative prayer. This is defined as “the practice of relaxing, emptying the mind, and letting one’s self find the presence of God within.” [10] In fact, they had an article titled “Contemplative Prayer” on their website, but after much negative press they have taken it down. [13] However, the contents of the article have been preserved by a former IHOP staff member’s website and is available for all to see here: (http://gospelmasquerade.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/contemplative-prayer-continued/) (source).

Here is an example of what IHOP dubs a “Holy Spirit manifestation” taking place in a young woman during a service. Her erratic behavior looks much more like demonic possession. This is from IHOP’s official YouTube page:

Is this the Spirit of God at work in this woman’s shaking and odd behavior? And yet Pastor Koloff has chosen to yoke himself and lead this ministry. And the other pastors on the show have chosen to yoke themselves with Koloff in this “TV ministry.”

When asked about why he is on the show, Koloff said:

“We’re real people with real lives and real life issues that we face. We have all of the same issues but we deal with it from a faith-based perspective. That’s one of the things I looked at when I saw an opportunity like this.” (source).

Again, no interest in sharing God’s Word or spreading the Gospel for salvation. It’s just about making another formulaic reality TV show for big ratings.
And just as with the Coleman family, in this family, the emphasis in the Pastor-daughter relationship is on sex. The lure of the show is watching young women who claim to be Christian, get into potential fornication. Kolby’s mother, Victoria, also a pastor (which is in violation of God’s requirement that pastors be men, as stated in 1 Timothy 3), spends the first episode emphasizing her desire to have a “sex talk” with Kolby and stresses that she: “will be discussing penetration.” In another scene, the mother grills a teenager boy who is  romantically interested in her daughter with graphic language about intimacy (this Christian show has actually earned itself a Parental Advisory warning for its content). Ephesians 5 says: “But fornication [sexual activity outside of marriage], and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”  It is sad that the teenage girls use cleaner language than the foul-mouthed, X-rated Pastor Mom.

As was the case with The Sisterhood TV show, the overemphasis on sexual activity and discussion dominates Preachers’ Daughters. Even a secular review said: “True to form, Lifetime’s new series “Preachers’ Daughters” is about nothing but sex.” (source). There is of course nothing wrong with parents discussing issues of intimacy and Biblical values with their children. These are conversations that should take place. But placing them on television for the entire world to see only leads to appearing to be “talking dirty” and making light of the issue of fornication as opposed to truly taking a Biblical stance. Victoria in one scene rattles off a graphic list of intimate acts that her daughters “better not be doing.” This is the sensationalism that reality TV producers crave, and that is what will always take priority on shows like these.
Galatians chapter 5 says:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21.

Television is all about ratings and there is no quicker way to draw attention then to appeal to the lusts of the flesh for viewers. So Christians on reality TV shows like Preachers’ Daughters will either have to take a distinct and very bold stance against this or compromise and be just like every other show on television that seeks to market itself through lasciviousness. And based on the premiere, they have chosen the latter.
Speaking to His believers, The Lord Jesus Christ said: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” (Matthew 5:13-14). A Christian’s duty is to show the public Christ living in them, not their sinful nature. Christians are to demonstrate Godly values as a testimony to the work of Jesus Christ in redeeming and ever sanctifying them through the Holy Spirit. No Christian will be perfect in their walk, but this does not change the responsibility repent from those sins and continue to live for God over one’s own lusts and desires. This show is taking the exact opposite approach by promoting to the unsaved world that Christians are “just like you.” So to paraphrase the verse above, the salt of Christianity, which is supposed to be distinct and easy to detect in a dark, sinful world, has lost its savor.

The Perry Family

“Olivia is an 18-year-old teen mom who, after partying hard, using drugs and drinking in high school, dramatically changed her life after the birth of her daughter. While trying to balance life as a young single mom, Olivia relies heavily on both her family and her faith, especially when she questions the paternity of her baby. Her father Mark, pastor of Everyday Church, and wife Cheryl, lead a hands-on approach to parenting, but often rely on prayer, rather than discipline, for their daughters. Olivia’s sister Emily (20) lives in Los Angeles, where she works as a model and faces temptation as part of her lifestyle and career, while oldest sister Audrey (23) never went through a rebellious phase like her sisters are facing.” (source).

On the Everyday Church website, their statement of faith declares:

“WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of Holy Scripture so that the Bible is without error in the original manuscripts. We receive the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments as our final, absolute authority, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.” (source).

Notice that Perry believes the Bible is without error “in the original manuscripts.” In other words, he believes the Bibles we possess today all have mistakes. This is a red flag warning of a Pastor and church who are a part of the apostasy – the end times falling away of parts of the Christian church from Bible-believing doctrine, in favor of man-made, human-focused, heretical teachings.

So while he receives the Bible as “absolute authority” his family promotes the fact that they do not believe in discipline. Here are some of the Bible’s very clear teaching on discipline of children:

“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” – Proverbs 13:24.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6.
“Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” – Proverbs 29:17.
“ For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” – Proverbs 6:23.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. – Deuteronomy 6:6-8.

The premiere episode focuses on Olivia Perry’s quest to find out the paternity of her baby and her decision to reveal her dilemma to her parents (they were under the impression that a young man they knew was the father of Olivia’s child but it may be one of several other young men). Of course she decides to reveal this to her parents for the first time on camera on national television.
After telling her parents, Pastor Perry’s response is to press his hand on his daughter’s forehead and pray, rather than giving any actual discipline or correction. Is this young woman even a born-again believer? Will sin, repentance and forgiveness in Jesus Christ be preached on this show? Once again, the show is set up to be an expose on Christians who want to mimic the unsaved world and act as lascivious as possible.

The second promotional trailer for the show drives this point home.

As a reminder, 1 Timothy 3 says in listing the qualifications of a pastor: “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” Pastor Perry claims that the Bible is his “final authority” and the Word of God, but is adhering to it? Would it not be time for him to step down from his office or at least take a sabbatical to get his home in order (after all, His daughter is struggling with drugs, alcohol and moral issue and there is an infant who needs parenting)?  Or is he rather willing to mock Christianity in order to advance his church and his own personal stature in a potential hit TV show?
When discussing the disclosure of the “baby daddy drama” to her parents, Olivia confides that she is hurting because she knows she has let her parents down. But in her discussions there is no mention of being disappointed for letting The Lord down. A show about Christian teenagers who are committed to their faith but dealing with the normal challenges of teenage life might be compelling but showing girls who are either unsaved or spiritually immature is only promoting spiritual confusion and exploiting their sinful behavior for entertainment.

The Predictable Reality TV Formula

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” – 1 Timothy 6:10-11.

What cannot be forgotten is that reality TV is entertainment. As with the show The Sisterhood, which never in its entire season shared the Gospel in any episode and used the name of Jesus Christ to mock one another, the directors of these programs need “drama” in order to up the entertainment value. So as a result, it will be necessary for one or more of these daughters to “rebel” on camera in each episode. So the girls are not only being given a license to sin, but they are also being told that if the entertainment value is high enough, they can get a second season, which means fame and potentially millions of dollars. This is what every reality TV show on air tells their participants. Do something crazy, wild and memorable and you will make a lot of money in a second season. And this has led to reality TV becoming home to some of the most sinful, disrespectful and lascivious behavior in all of entertainment as the participants seek to keep the viewers’ attention each week for all of the fame and money that awaits.
And this is the situation these three pastors are putting their teenage daughters in. Reality TV stars have become the newest type of celebrity and knowing you can go from obscurity to the cover of Gossip magazines in a matter of weeks brings in yet another level of temptation to sin, “bring drama” and become a household name. In the case of The Sisterhood, grown women married to pastors, gossiped about each other, constantly slandered each other and fought on every single episode (with the only real question being: will this be the episode they turn it into an all out brawl). Preachers Daughters is taking it in the direction of fornication and dating behind parents’ backs. All in the name of entertainment.

 
Tune Out Preacher’s Daughters

As more and more churches fall into false doctrines, a lack of concern for the Bible as a real authority and into New Age heresies, it is no surprise that pastors are willing to compromise their own Biblical office, integrity and the respect for God by doing raunchy reality shows like Preacher’s Daughters. Christian advocacy Group One Million Moms has already launched a boycott of this program. In addition, Bible-believing Christians can pray for this show to fail and for the pastors and families involved to repent. Christian parents are already facing the challenges of the constant bombardment of their children with sex, violence and sinful rebellion and this show is just adding to it. Rather than making a show that is focused on young women who take the Bible and their Christian faith seriously, Preacher’s Daughters is just a look at the result of the end-times apostasy, where Biblical Christianity has been replaced with seeker-sensitive marketing, church entertainment, watered down-man made theology and demonic mysticism. Do not be deceived.

Christian teenagers do face many temptations. Their lives will be tested by the adversary on a daily basis and they will stumble into sinful behavior. But this is why parents need to make sure their children are built up with The Word of God. And it starts with teaching them the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. That is where the power to transform a sinner lies. All the restrictions on behavior and tough rules in the world will not change the heart of a person. But the power of the Holy Spirit will. It is God who changes a Christian and that comes through faith and knowing Him. The Bible is where we hear from God. Jesus Christ said of true Christian believers: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
Having Christ abide in you starts with understanding and believing the Gospel for the forgiveness of sins. This is followed up with a daily walk with God that includes reading the Bible (and believing it), prayer and a commitment to Christian living. Our Children need the Bible and real Christian preaching more than ever. And rather than hoping reality TV has the answers, we need to go back to the basics: sitting down with our children and teaching them God’s Word and being an example for them to follow in living a life of holiness and repentance for the times we are in sin.

“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” – Deuteronomy 11:18-19.