Why Do A Reality Show?

This is a question I've been asked over and over again by reporters since the show was announced.  Although, no matter what my answer is, some people still won't understand.  And I get that.

This was not a decision we made lightly.  Nor, was it a decision I made alone.  All four of my daughters had to agree to do this together.  It was all of us or none of us.  When we were told that we were 1 of 3 families the network wanted, it was not until after much prayer and conversation that we decided to go for it.  I don't think we could have ever been prepared for how this decision would impact our lives nor change them.  Don't get me wrong, we knew criticism would come, but I won't pretend that the criticism from our "own", the Christian community, has been the most hurtful, brutal and unfair.  And we, as Christians, wonder why those who aren't believers are suspicious of our faith.  When Christians' are "throwing other Christians" under the bus, rather than showing love, grace and mercy, why would we wonder why our faith is despised?  So, why did we do it?  We had many reasons for making this decision.

First of all, and the most important reason was that we wanted to share our faith with others. Our faith in Jesus Christ is paramount in all of our lives. We are blessed that He loves imperfect people!  Our desire from day one has always been to show the churched and un-churched that Christian's are not perfect, but we do serve a perfect, loving, merciful and gracious God. 

There's so much "fake" and "masking" in the church today.  People pretending they've got it all together on Sunday mornings, only to be falling apart throughout the week.  If we aren't real with where we are with God, how can we ever expect things to change?  In my opinion, that kind of denial can be deadly.  I've always said, "people don't go to church because they've already been."

For years, Nikita, myself and even our girls felt it necessary to pretend to be the "perfect" family for the sake of the church.  Yet at home following the Sunday sermons, our family unit was crumbling. This is why when we went through our divorce, the church was stunned.  I can't tell you how many times I heard, "we thought you guys were the perfect family!"   Some Christians live in constant fear of being exposed for the normal struggles they face every day.  They're worried if the church found out who they really were, they would be rejected for not being the "perfect" Christian they tried so hard to be!  This should not be!  There are NO perfect Christians!  Zero.  And if you think you are one, I'd like to pray that lying demon out of you right now!  In the name of Jesus!

Secondly, our family is passionate about causes we believe in and we knew this show was a huge opportunity to educate viewers about them.  You will learn more about this in the weeks to come.

Thirdly, Nikita and I haven't been together for 8 years.   We've barely spoken in that time.  It hasn't been easy, but in the past year, we've made greater effort than we ever have to establish a new friendship with one another for the sake of our children. We got divorced, our children did not.  Our hope is that other families will relate to what we've gone through and through us can learn  (as we have the hard way!) that we rob our children of so much joy by becoming or staying enemies.  This isn't fair to them!  It is my hope that you will see this play out throughout the show as well.

Unfortunately, we have NO control over editing and how our family is represented.  This may have been naive, but filming is over now and there's not much I can do about it.  I haven't seen one finished episode.  Along with America, each week, with bated breath, I will watch and witness what and how our lives are presented.   I will not lie.  It will be highly disappointing to me if it doesn't turn out as promised.

I know who I am in Christ and I know who my wonderful daughters are in Him also.  We all share an undying love for Jesus.  We know what was filmed during the 6 weeks of filming and are each trusting that the love of our Father, our family and our faith will be displayed throughout "Preachers Daughters".  For now, I would ask that you pray for me and my family, not curse us.

So, why do a reality show?  Well, let me end with this.  The message of the Gospel has never changed in over 2000 years.  And it will never change.  Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forevermore.  But, I'm convinced that methods can and do change.  God CAN and does use media outlets like television to reach those hurting, lost or searching.  Have you seen Duck Dynasty or The Bible Series?!

As far as the judgement you may spew towards me or my family, how about we leave that between my family and the Lord?   I'm confident He will guide, lead and show us what direction He would want us to take as episodes unfold.

I've trusted Him for most of my life.  I'm not going to stop now.