Tammy Faye Messner - The World Lost a Friend, Feature Article

Aug

2007

Tammy Faye Messner - The World Lost a Friend

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When I was asked to write this, I wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to go about it. From a writer's standpoint, you always try to find a certain slant to write from. The only way I felt I could adequately write this was to just write my thoughts and let you, the reader, read them and make your own decisions as to how you felt about Tammy Faye Messner. In my years of observing Tammy Faye, I've come to truly respect and admire her. Tammy Faye was a friend to all she came in contact with. Even to those who brought her strife, she was their friend. When you look beyond all the glamour and glitz of PTL (and all of its pitfalls) and you look beyond the make-up and giddiness, I think you found someone who was warm and caring. Love her or hate her, she demanded respect.and she deserved it.

I grew up in the 1980's watching PTL. I longed for the summer time, snow days and holidays so I could stay at home and watch my two favorite TV shows.The Price is Right and Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker. It was neat to see who made guest appearances to either talk or sing. I watched a ton of people come across that stage from all walks of life be it in music (Gospel or otherwise), ministry or even some TV star. Being the Goodman fan that I was, I naturally loved it when Howard and Vestal sang or hosted the program. The Bakkers were staunch supporters of Southern Gospel Music and they had many gospel groups passed through PTL's stage.Doug Oldham, Jesse Dixon, Hinsons, Rambos, Imperials, Blackwood Brothers, Happy Goodman Family and so many others. But to me, in so many ways, the star was always Tammy Faye.not because of the make-up, glitz, glamour, crying, or the singing.but because she always came across to me as genuine.

I was naturally upset when things turned sour in the mid to late 1980s for PTL and the Bakkers, as I suppose many of us were. But, through time and through a lot of prayer and soul searching, Jim and Tammy came back, though not as one. I can only imagine the insurmountable stress that time in their lives took on their marriage and I dare say not many marriages would have lasted. But over time, they both came back into ministry in some fashion. Tammy Faye came back with a stronger faith in God and vowed to be a shining light for Christ for anyone would who looked her way.
I remember watching her on the Surreal Life television show a few years ago. She stood strong for what she believed in and never wavered from her convictions. Tammy Faye was an awesome witness for Christ as she showed everyone in that house and everyone around the world what a true Christian is. She proudly wore the Name of Christ and she wasn't judgmental or condemning about it at all; but rather she just loved on people and was their friend, no matter what they had done in or with their life. Tammy Faye lived her faith.and that is a life well preached; she lived a life you believed.

Sadly though, life for Tammy Faye was cut short by cancer. But throughout the entire ordeal, she declared her undying faith in God to anyone who would lend an ear. Through her honesty and humor, we saw ourselves and we could laugh right along with her. Even when the end was near, watching her on Larry King and seeing her faith in action, she was such an awesome testament of what being a Christian and being Christ-like was all about. No, Tammy Faye wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but we all fall short, so there are no pointing fingers coming from this writer. But when we look back on the life of Tammy Faye, I believe we'll find that through it all, we've always had a friend. She'd been there, done that.and had seen all of life's biggest ups and downs and she was willing to share those experiences with the world, all the while telling us that "you can make it!" God used Tammy Faye to shine His Light to a dark world and to be a friend to all, and on July 20, 2007, the world lost that friend. But for Tammy Faye, that journey met it's end at the Throne and her faith has become sight.

Tammy Faye website: http://www.tammyfaye.com

Pictures of Tammy Faye throughout the years

Reader Comments

(from Tennessean)Thousands upon thousands of christians sent her money.

I have a problem with this statement.
When people send money to a ministry, they are presumably sending it to further the Kingdom of Heaven. IF they are sending it to a 'person' as you referred to, then their faith, their hope rests on that individual. That is not wise. Give unto the Lord...and after that, whatever benefit it has or does not is out of the giver's hands. It is out of obedience only that one should give.

(from Tennessean)Jim Bakker is back on television these days doing what he does best raising money. The only difference is a new wife, and the name of the facility is Morning Star not Heritage Park.

If you can't see past the 'raising of monies' as a necessary part of ministry, then I think that's very sad indeed.
What you refuse to acknowledge is that Jim and Tammy Faye were the pioneers of TV evangelical ministry.
A ministry that God has called Jim Bakker to continue today. Why in his human self he would want to undertake such abuse from the world is truly astonishing to me.

However, I firmly, resolutely, and passionately believe in the 'calling to ministry' on the lives of God's people.
When you receive that calling, it's for a lifetime.

As for your attack on John Lanier... Why would you want to do that? Are you even acquainted with his ministry at all? How could you be and still be so devoid of anything positive at all?...
The blog you refer to is a whole other matter entirely... Let's not even 'go there'.

Commented by LKennedy On 08/21/2007

Guys, I have moved on... The Bakkers do not in any way deserve this much attention.

Commented by On 08/21/2007

Jesus forgave the thief on the cross. Why do we as Christians feel we are qualified to categorize sin as to what is forgivable and what is not? I don't know of any distinction in the Bible over which sins are forgivable and which are not forgivable.

As hard as it is for some people to realize, God's forgiveness extends to ALL sins which would include a serial killer. By judging whether or not someone has been forgiven or judging who is a legitimate Christian, we are committing a sin as much as the one that we are criticizing. We give as unto God. We will be blessed according to the motives in our heart for giving regardless of what happens to it.

Commented by On 08/21/2007

I would never called Tammy or Jim a conspirator. There is not a doubt in my mind that they did not set out to conspire to abuse the funds or the people who gave the funds. They are people just like all of us here who have weaknesses that if caught up in the wrong situation can cause us to fall. Thank God for His grace. I have needed it many times. We cannot sit in judgment over someone else's failings without knowing that we ourselves are capable of the same thing. The fruits of Tammy's life have shown that she did accept God's grace.

John, I'm with you, I'll go on Jim Bakker's show if he asks me to. I will sing anywhere that I can get the Gospel message out. Like it or not millions of people are still watching Jim Bakker on TV. Jim has confessed many many times in front of TV cameras. I have an obligation to accept him back as a brother, unless he proves otherwise. I would sing Gospel music at a bar, if it let me get the message of the Gospel out to those who need to hear it. How do we stand in front of God and some lost sinner and say that we didn't share the message we have because of the company we had to keep. We've had conversations on the boards before about groups who wouldn't take a booking because they found out that booze would be served there. What better place to sing the Gospel than to those who really need it.
I don't have to participate in the booze to sing about Jesus. So, if you can get me on the Jim Bakker Show let me know, I'll be there.

Commented by On 08/21/2007

It is no wonder that we are not winning the world to Christ when we are so hard on our own Christian community. Only God can judge. How can we can we sit in judgement on our fellow man unless we are God?

Commented by On 08/21/2007

The Bakkers are one of God's creations and they deserve as much attention as anyone else.

Commented by On 08/21/2007

I was a personal friend of Tammy Faye's and the family...they were Godly people that got swept up in some bad decisions and mistakes...like WE ALL have done.

God sometimes has to come get us and get us back on track, something I am sure we can all testify about!

The reality show that you call SICK, was in fact many ways SICK, but Tam got on that show and showed how a true follower of Christ should be!

I loved Tam, and I will miss her, but I know I will see her in Heaven!

Commented by On 08/22/2007

I wish to complement John Lanier on his posts. He was "right on". Tammy ministered to more through her cancer that many do who are in good health and only criticize.

Commented by On 08/23/2007

Tennessean,

Please don't take this personal but you have a lot of errors in your statements. For one, Tammy didn't serve jail time because she didn't commit a crime. Next, if she were to commit a crime it is not up to us to judge her it is up to God. I personally feel she did nothing wrong. Later a court of law felt the same away about Jim and he was released from prison and exonerated. However, lets say he was guilty....she isn't accountable for his choices any more than you are for your spouses. As far as the reality show, SICK????? She witnessed to millions of people, she refused to take part in sinful activities during the show and she acted as a Christian should act, there again, still you can't hold her accountable for anything anyone else on the show did. And again, God is the only one we are acountable to if our actions don't hurt or infringe on anyone else. I really think you just have a bias against Tammy. You have the right to not like her but the statements you made weren't the Christian way to look at things. You mentioned all the things you thought she did that were bad....and everyone loves to talk about the scandal of PTL but we as Christians should also talk about the millions of people that got saved through PTL or even Tammy's personal services. I was in one service where 10 people were saved. Tammy was a strong woman of God and faith. If Tammy read what you wrote, I'm sure it would hurt her feelings but when she saw you, she would just give you a big ole hug and never hold it against you. That is the best example of Christ's love.

Commented by Larry Ferguson On 08/23/2007

In response to Tennessean. I know that God has forgotten the sins of the past when one repents. However I also know that the only one who continues to bring up the sins of the past will spend an eternity in the lake of fire. He is the accuser of God's children. By her spirit I know that Tammy loved God and ministered to countless numbers of His love for them. She will be missed.

Commented by On 08/23/2007

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