Preaching, Prosperity, and Product Sales: A Profile of On-Demand Digital Audio Offerings of Christian Renewalist Ministries

In the United States alone, millions of listeners tune in to Internet-based audio­ on-demand (commonly known as podcast programming). Religious programming is among the fastest-growing podcast areas. Since studies show that evangelicals are known to be quick to adopt new technology, this research involved a content analysis of 67 podcast episodes produced by five well-known renewalist evangeli­ cal ministries. The study found most podcasts were not original in content and were not consistently available for listeners to download. Also, the podcasts had poorer production values than would be expected from broadcast programming. A frame analysis identified ministries’ justification of religious messages, listener responses sought, and rewards promised to listeners. More research is needed to answer ques­ tions about the impact on listeners and compare the content of renewalist program offerings to other Christian podcasts.