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As a nonprofit organization, Focus cannot be directly involved in political lobbying, but the ministry can use its resources to inform people and motivate them to act, including flooding Washington, D.C., switchboards as the need arises. "The government is becoming increasingly bold in its intrusion into areas that traditionally have been the purview of the family," says Focus vice president Paul Hetrick. "Radio gives us an instant response indicator."

Dobson's national standing has turned his ministry into a lightning rod for liberal ire. Homosexual activist Mel White, a former ghostwriter for Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, has written a book about his "coming out" and has become a vocal critic of the traditional Christian teaching that homosexual behavior is wrong (CT, June 20, 1994, p. 35). In July, White staged a one-week "Fast for Understanding" outside Focus's new headquarters in Colorado Springs. Hetrick says, "We're the premier example, in Mel White's view, of a religious organization that totally misunderstands the Bible and God's will for homosexuals."

Yet, in the minds of conservative voters, Dobson conveys trust. "Dobson is extremely reputable," Winzenburg says. "He doesn't ask you every day to call your senators. You know when he does ask, that means it's pretty serious stuff."

While the Christian audience may be small compared with those of secular programs, they are avid listeners. "They respond in terms of money. They respond in terms of political pressure. They respond in terms of letters and protesting and boycotting," Winzenburg says. Talk radio's ability to telegraph the need for urgent action has become one of its most useful features.

"The beauty of live radio is that many times we are able to call our listeners to action," says Carmen D'Arcy Stanczykiewicz, director of broadcast marketing for Beverly LaHaye Live, heard by 750,000 people on 100 stations daily.

TALK RADIO'S PIONEER

The most popular Christian live call-in show is Point of View, hosted by Marlin Maddoux, who has been syndicated nationally since 1982. Point of View has an estimated audience of more than 2 million. The Dallas-based Maddoux sees Christian radio as a First Amendment stronghold against a liberal and secular press.

Maddoux says he is undeterred by Christians who criticize him for making "disparaging" remarks about President Clinton. Maddoux says that Scripture shows Jesus as "a very confrontational type of man."

Many issues discussed on Point of View, such as homosexuality or sex education, are the result of wayward government policies, according to Maddoux. "We've got to get involved if we want to save the country and the children." In 1985, Maddoux formed the USA Radio Network, which has several live call-in programs, such as Christian Consumer Advocate and Youth Talk. More are planned.

"We are in the process of developing full-time talk," Maddoux told CT, with radio stations taking as many hours as needed from a satellite feed.

"Some Christian talk-show hosts are upset that many Christians are listening to Rush Limbaugh instead of staying tuned to Christian stations," Winzenburg says. "You can't be too opinionated on Christian radio without alienating your audience."

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August 15 1994, Vol. 38, No. 9