About MarbleVision's Media Ministry
The media ministry of Marble Collegiate Church has its roots in the first printed sermons distributed weekly by Dr. David J. Burrell, Senior Minister, in the late 1800s. Since its inception, the church has embraced mass media as an indispensable outreach vehicle. Here are some highlights from the past 70 years of Marble's media outreach...
PAST
1930s - Dr. Norman Vincent Peale becomes the Senior Minister of Marble Church and uses mass media, primarily advertisements and direct mail, to attract record attendance. Additionally, Dr. Peale begins a nationally-syndicated newspaper column and a weekly radio service, "The Art of Living," on WEAF. The program continues for 54 years and ranks among the most popular in WEAF history.
1940s - Marble Collegiate Church begins recording Dr. Peale's sermons as 30-minute albums.
1950s - Dr. and Mrs. Peale launch a new television series, "What's Your Trouble," broadcasting on 70 different stations. Dr. Peale publishes his fourth book, THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING, which has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide in more than 45 languages. Marble becomes the first church to offer Closed Circuit Television.
1960s - Taping of Dr. Peale's sermons for television distribution and local WOR radio broadcasts begin. Dr. Arthur Caliandro joins the Marble staff. At the request of President Nixon, Dr. Peale preaches Sunday Worship Service at the White House.
1970s - Marble begins cassette distribution of weekly sermons and launches a full-hour worship service for cable television.
1980s - Dr. Norman Vincent Peale retires after 52 years of service and receives the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan. Dr. Caliandro succeeds Dr. Peale as Senior Minister and publishes his first book, MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT.
1990s - MarbleVision's weekly television program, "Simple Faith with Dr. Arthur Caliandro," becomes available to nearly 30 million households in all 50 states by moving to the Odyssey cable channel (currently known as the Hallmark channel and reaching more than 60 million homes).
2000s - Dr. Caliandro publishes SIMPLE STEPS: Ten Things You Can Do to Create an Exceptional Life, which becomes the basis for the PBS special "Simple Steps to an Exceptional Life: Ten Easy Ways to Achieve a Peaceful & Fulfilling Life" seen nationwide in 2002. In 2004, he published his latest book, LOST AND FOUND: 23 Things You Can Do to Find Personal Freedom. Hallmark discontinues the "America at Worship" block of programs that included "Simple Faith" in 2005 and MarbleVision makes episodes available on DVD.
PRESENT
Messages from Marble Church can now be found on television, radio, video, audio, in print, and online. Making this outreach happen are...
DR. ARTHUR CALIANDRO, Senior Minister
The son of a Methodist minister, Dr. Arthur Caliandro has led the Marble Collegiate Church congregation since 1984. He shared the pulpit at Marble Church with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale for several years before assuming his position as Senior Minister. Dr. Caliandro's ministry took him from rural churches in Ohio and New York to a demanding inner-city parish in Brooklyn. Considered a friend by millions, he is nationally known through weekly broadcasts on WLNY Channel 55 in the New York tri-state area, New York City's WOR radio, sermon booklets and his books LOST & FOUND, SIMPLE STEPS: Ten Things You Can Do to Create an Exceptional Life and MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT. His honest, thought-expanding sermons connect with the human experience on the deepest levels and offer encouragement and hope for all who hear his message.
BOB MARTY, Director of Television
Bob Marty's association with Marble Collegiate Church began in 1997 with a specific television mission: to direct MarbleVision's first Christmas gospel music concert, which aired on Odyssey, winning visibility and high ratings on the growing cable network. He later directed the church's live Christmas Eve service and, with Executive Producer Martha Doty, began building a new weekly program "Simple Faith with Dr. Arthur Caliandro." With his company, MPI Media Productions International, Inc., Bob has produced entertainment specials for PBS, and as a public affairs programming producer he has created award-winning public service campaign announcements, educational programs, historical specials, and documentaries. His work has been seen on A&E, CBS, BBC and ABC, as well as PBS.
FUTURE
In the next year, MarbleVision plans to launch internet radio distribution and a variety of on-demand and multi-media products.