by Glyn Carpenter | 5 Nov , 2014 | Media Releases, NZCN
NZ Christian Network commends Family First’s effort in keeping the media balanced.
Their recent mid-week update contained an example where our state broadcaster TVNZ made what Family First called a “highly derogatory and unjustified headline for a story on same-sex ‘marriage'”.
The story related to an invitation from the Australian Christian Lobby to the leader of the Australian Labour Opposition to their annual conference. The ACL and the leader disagree on the issue of redefining marriage but the fact the invitation was extended indicates an openness to dialogue.
Groups supportive of redefining marriage pressured the leader not to attend, and then mounted a campaign against the hotel that was hosting the conference.
The TVNZ headline for this story was “Aussie Labor leader takes aim at religious bigots”.
It is disappointing that this kind of sensational and unwarranted headline is used in any media, let alone New Zealand’s state owned broadcaster.
To TVNZ’s credit, after a complaint was made by Family First and possibly others, the headline was changed to “Aussie Labor leader backs gay marriage”.
NZ Christian Network does not agree with everything we’ve seen coming out of ACL, just as we hold different positions on some matters to Family First.
But we do want to thank Family First for their action on this matter. We also thank TVNZ for taking corrective action so quickly.
Free speech is important in an open free democracy, and a media that reports relevant news stories with accuracy and fairness is an indispensable part of that process.
by Glyn Carpenter | 28 Mar , 2014 | Media Releases, NZCN
Media Release – 28 March 2014
NZCN Press: Evangelicals urge care with ‘healing oil’ reports
New Zealand Christian Network is urging people to be careful about reports that ‘healing oil’ promoted by an evangelical church can cure people.
Network national director Glyn Carpenter said “NZ Christian Network is the New Zealand member of the World Evangelical Alliance, and represents a biblical voice in New Zealand. Evangelical Christians who base their faith on the Bible would not support the contention that oil can heal problems such as physical ailments or failing marriages.
We do believe in a God who can heal and does heal, but this does not happen every time we want it, and certainly not because oil is applied.
Oil is used in many churches in the course of prayer for healing, but it does not cause or guarantee healing”.
Carpenter said “It does not appear from the media reports that the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God – the church promoting the healing oil event in Auckland this weekend – has actually said anything in their promotion that we would disagree with.
“If however it is claimed at the event or anywhere else that oil actually has healing power, that would be a different story”.
New Zealand Christian Network is a broad-spectrum network of churches and Christian leaders, with a Board of Reference that includes leaders from all the main denominations. It seeks to present a biblically orthodox position on issues, reflecting the views of the majority of Christians in New Zealand.
Contact
Glyn Carpenter
National Director, New Zealand Christian Network
Mobile 022 184 7466
