A Guide for New Listeners: The Rules of the Show
I meet people often who say, "You know, when I first heard the show, I thought you were (insert your own thing here, along the lines of "big sarcastic jerk") but then I started to understand what you're doing, and..."
So I thought I'd write this, just to help you, if you're new. You may still think I'm a big sarcastic jerk, but at least you'll see what I was TRYING to do...
A Guide for New Listeners: The Rules of the Show
1. This show probably isn't what you think.
You'll think you've heard this before, like it's the typical morning show, but it's really not. Honest.
It may take you a bit, too, to realize it. But this show isn't about people trying to be cool, or how awesome I, Brant, am. And we'd sure be in trouble if it were. I'm a nerd.
It's not about a desperate need for attention, or ratings, or trying to be shocking, or crazy, to make a splash. We're not even trying to make you a better Christian, or better American, or a better anything, really.
Shoot, it's not about me. Or even about you. And that's a pretty crazy thing to say, in the radio business. Even crazier: We're doing a "Christian radio" show, and it's not about Christianity.
Ultimately -- and we hope this shines through, in time -- this show is about Jesus. We believe He is alive, and His Kingdom is the good news, particularly for the poor, the outcast, the lonely, the marginalized. We talk about, and try to demonstrate, that Kingdom a lot, even when we're not using the word "kingdom".
2. Brant is a nerdy guy, but he doesn't know everything. Or anything close to it. And he knows it.
Only Jesus is your Teacher. Any Christian "air personality" or star preacher or author or expert or whoever who suggests, however subtly, that he should be your authority? He's ignoring his own brokenness. We are all brothers and sisters. Equals. Let's grow toward Jesus, together. He, alone, is our Leader.
I have strong, and often considered, opinions on many things (like that last point might demonstrate.) But I reserve the right, at all times, to be wrong. I'm learning, too. I'm not humble about Truth, but I'm certainly humble about my ability to always apprehend it.
3. Everyone is welcome.
That means everybody.
Democrat, Republican, Tea Party-people, atheist, agnostic, Protestant, Catholic, young, old, hip, not-hip, married, single, divorced, pro-choice, pro-life, white/black/Hispanic/Pacific Islander/whatever, artists, jocks, loners, depressed, Joel Osteen fans, John Piper fans, tall, short, thin, thick...freaks of all kinds: You are welcome here.
We're freaks, too. We love you.
4. Some stuff will seem completely random and make no sense to you.
This is because some stuff will be completely random and make no sense to anyone.
5. Your views may be challenged.
Honestly: If you're looking for affirmation of everything you already think, you'll probably hate this show.
If you, say, prefer complex religion, or absolutely love the status quo in American church culture, you likely will turn the show off. Vaya con Dios, and may -- truly -- God bless you.
6. The show is not specifically FOR kids, but we do love them.
We're not doing a show for six year-olds. We're not going to talk down to intelligent adults. This said, we love children, and we welcome them. I'm a dad who's vigilant about what my kids hear and see, and I respect parents who are trying to do the same thing.
7. We won't always tie things in a little spiritual bow for you.
Sometimes, we'll let you draw your own conclusions. Make no mistake: This drives some Christian radio listeners crazy.
But it bugged people when Jesus did it, too. He's the best teacher, ever, so I'm going with it.
8. Not every conversation will be Spiritual (TM).
Yes, we'll talk of "shoes, ships, cabbages, and kings." Not just topics for daily devotionals.
This is because this is how we actually talk. We're actual humans, and I don't want to suddenly turn into Super Spiritual Man when the "on-air" light is on. We live in the world of TV and Jiffy Lube and dogs and neighbors and work pressure and traffic and macaroni and cheese and sunburns and NFL games and gum on our shoes, just like you do.
What's more, I don't draw a hard line between "sacred" and "secular", or "churchy" and "the real world", or "Godly" and "mundane". I think God owns everything. It's all His, and He wants it all back. If you believe all conversations must be overtly church-centered, by your definition, or they are simply rubbish, we disagree with you. We think God not only has a sense of humor, He delights in it, and the detail of our lives. Our lives aren't mundane, really, they're filled with meaning, and surprising joy, by our Creator.
He loves our uniqueness. He loves our laughter, loves our strangeness, the ups and downs, the whole thing. He loves US.
9. We are honored that you listen. We're honored that anyone listens.
When a single 10 year-old says she listens "every morning on my way to school!" -- we're all honored beyond words, and thank God for connecting us to her life. She's as important as any artist we play, any "celebrity" we interview, and certainly as important as we are.
I thank God for every person who listens. To think he allows US to play a role in your life? Amazing.
10. As serious as I can be, I want this show to be joyful.
"Seriously joyful", maybe. Bob Dylan said heaven will sound like "echoes of laughter", and I think he's on to something, there. We know you're busy, we know it's just a radio show, and we know it won't last forever. People move, jobs change, radio stations come and go. Ultimately, we have lasting hope only in Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
My wife used to have a t-shirt with a message I liked a lot, and I hope it captures the heart of the show.
Life is hard. God is good. Let's dance.
So I thought I'd write this, just to help you, if you're new. You may still think I'm a big sarcastic jerk, but at least you'll see what I was TRYING to do...
A Guide for New Listeners: The Rules of the Show
1. This show probably isn't what you think.
You'll think you've heard this before, like it's the typical morning show, but it's really not. Honest.
It may take you a bit, too, to realize it. But this show isn't about people trying to be cool, or how awesome I, Brant, am. And we'd sure be in trouble if it were. I'm a nerd.
It's not about a desperate need for attention, or ratings, or trying to be shocking, or crazy, to make a splash. We're not even trying to make you a better Christian, or better American, or a better anything, really.
Shoot, it's not about me. Or even about you. And that's a pretty crazy thing to say, in the radio business. Even crazier: We're doing a "Christian radio" show, and it's not about Christianity.
Ultimately -- and we hope this shines through, in time -- this show is about Jesus. We believe He is alive, and His Kingdom is the good news, particularly for the poor, the outcast, the lonely, the marginalized. We talk about, and try to demonstrate, that Kingdom a lot, even when we're not using the word "kingdom".
2. Brant is a nerdy guy, but he doesn't know everything. Or anything close to it. And he knows it.
Only Jesus is your Teacher. Any Christian "air personality" or star preacher or author or expert or whoever who suggests, however subtly, that he should be your authority? He's ignoring his own brokenness. We are all brothers and sisters. Equals. Let's grow toward Jesus, together. He, alone, is our Leader.
I have strong, and often considered, opinions on many things (like that last point might demonstrate.) But I reserve the right, at all times, to be wrong. I'm learning, too. I'm not humble about Truth, but I'm certainly humble about my ability to always apprehend it.
3. Everyone is welcome.
That means everybody.
Democrat, Republican, Tea Party-people, atheist, agnostic, Protestant, Catholic, young, old, hip, not-hip, married, single, divorced, pro-choice, pro-life, white/black/Hispanic/Pacific Islander/whatever, artists, jocks, loners, depressed, Joel Osteen fans, John Piper fans, tall, short, thin, thick...freaks of all kinds: You are welcome here.
We're freaks, too. We love you.
4. Some stuff will seem completely random and make no sense to you.
This is because some stuff will be completely random and make no sense to anyone.
5. Your views may be challenged.
Honestly: If you're looking for affirmation of everything you already think, you'll probably hate this show.
If you, say, prefer complex religion, or absolutely love the status quo in American church culture, you likely will turn the show off. Vaya con Dios, and may -- truly -- God bless you.
6. The show is not specifically FOR kids, but we do love them.
We're not doing a show for six year-olds. We're not going to talk down to intelligent adults. This said, we love children, and we welcome them. I'm a dad who's vigilant about what my kids hear and see, and I respect parents who are trying to do the same thing.
7. We won't always tie things in a little spiritual bow for you.
Sometimes, we'll let you draw your own conclusions. Make no mistake: This drives some Christian radio listeners crazy.
But it bugged people when Jesus did it, too. He's the best teacher, ever, so I'm going with it.
8. Not every conversation will be Spiritual (TM).
Yes, we'll talk of "shoes, ships, cabbages, and kings." Not just topics for daily devotionals.
This is because this is how we actually talk. We're actual humans, and I don't want to suddenly turn into Super Spiritual Man when the "on-air" light is on. We live in the world of TV and Jiffy Lube and dogs and neighbors and work pressure and traffic and macaroni and cheese and sunburns and NFL games and gum on our shoes, just like you do.
What's more, I don't draw a hard line between "sacred" and "secular", or "churchy" and "the real world", or "Godly" and "mundane". I think God owns everything. It's all His, and He wants it all back. If you believe all conversations must be overtly church-centered, by your definition, or they are simply rubbish, we disagree with you. We think God not only has a sense of humor, He delights in it, and the detail of our lives. Our lives aren't mundane, really, they're filled with meaning, and surprising joy, by our Creator.
He loves our uniqueness. He loves our laughter, loves our strangeness, the ups and downs, the whole thing. He loves US.
9. We are honored that you listen. We're honored that anyone listens.
When a single 10 year-old says she listens "every morning on my way to school!" -- we're all honored beyond words, and thank God for connecting us to her life. She's as important as any artist we play, any "celebrity" we interview, and certainly as important as we are.
I thank God for every person who listens. To think he allows US to play a role in your life? Amazing.
10. As serious as I can be, I want this show to be joyful.
"Seriously joyful", maybe. Bob Dylan said heaven will sound like "echoes of laughter", and I think he's on to something, there. We know you're busy, we know it's just a radio show, and we know it won't last forever. People move, jobs change, radio stations come and go. Ultimately, we have lasting hope only in Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
My wife used to have a t-shirt with a message I liked a lot, and I hope it captures the heart of the show.
Life is hard. God is good. Let's dance.
posted by
Brant Hansen
at
7:59 PM on July 7th, 2010
5 Comments
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Email this to a friend
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I love your show!!!! Always have. I listen to it during the school year while i get ready. One of the reasons im reaady for school to start is your show.
Posted By Abbie
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July 9, 2010 @ 6:31
Dearest lil Braddah Brant,
I am enlightened by your cool "rules" of the show....you are an amazing man of God, and I think it is wonderful to know dat even though you as a "celebrity" in my eyes, you are down to Earth and as humble as da rest of us imperfect "humans"! LoL! True, but you are and so are da rest of your morning show. I enjoy listening and am grateful dat my keikis and I can listen online! Mahalo Nui Loa for your ministry and for being who Brant Hansen really is! WaaaaaY CooL!! Love, Kimi ;~}
Posted By Kimi ;~}
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July 10, 2010 @ 10:03
I am enlightened by your cool "rules" of the show....you are an amazing man of God, and I think it is wonderful to know dat even though you as a "celebrity" in my eyes, you are down to Earth and as humble as da rest of us imperfect "humans"! LoL! True, but you are and so are da rest of your morning show. I enjoy listening and am grateful dat my keikis and I can listen online! Mahalo Nui Loa for your ministry and for being who Brant Hansen really is! WaaaaaY CooL!! Love, Kimi ;~}
I have been listening to your show since Oct since I got out of the hospital from trying to kill myself. I just felt like my life hit bottom. My sons all grown and moved away and dating after 20 some years just isn't in the cards. God has blessed me with wonderful friends and your radio staion. I never change the station because your my peace of mind because praying to God. AM having trouble with my job but God has said not to sweat it. So whatever happens just know he's with me and he has never failed me. Thank you so much for bringing back my belief . I have seen miracles as you spoke of and know God it real. So your show is also a blessing to me for you all talk how I need to hear not the old ways. Thank you all and God Bless you all. D
Posted By Deborah
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July 21, 2010 @ 6:35
Considering what I've read so far, I'm sorry I'm not in the south somewhars to hear the show. And I'm equally sorry these coment boxes don't automatically capitalize I.
Posted By Mrs. Mike
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July 23, 2010 @ 9:40
