In a society greatly influenced by the electronic media, research indicates there is a need to effectively communicate religious programming to broadcast audiences. The establishment of guides lines between the programs' audiences, the producers' objectives, and the methods of presentation used to accomplish the objectives could better insure program effectiveness.

The purpose of this research was to describe the relationship and to compare the programming of major Christian ministries during the first decade of Christian television. A historical perspective was the method used in identifying and explaining the events and activities that constituted Christian television from 1949 to 1959. The results of the research concluded that Christian television began at a time of social trauma, unrest, and confusion in America. Competition for a viewing audience was not a factor. Leading personalities presented themselves as independent thinkers who also saw themselves as "preachers" with a strong desire to succeed. Motivation was provided by a sense of "dominion" that emerged from the Great Awakenings within the churches of America that became a driving force in the first three decades of this century.