The Advent Of The I-God
I used to say, "Whatever gets 'em through the door on Sunday." I don't say that too much any more, not after seeing mega-churches and other houses of worship giving away motorcycles, houses, etc.
I am trying hard to give up judging "church giveaways" that are supposedly designed to get more people's fannies into pews.
Today I read that an Arizona church is giving away I-Pods to boost its congregation's numbers.
Even if the I-Pods are loaded with ol' time religion tunes, I must admit it still makes me cringe.
Is it right to lure folks into hearing "the message" by plugging their ears?
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
5 Comments
5 Comments:
The question is: Are we luring them in to hear the message, meet the Savior, or just pack the pew? Is the Gospel a product we package and sell or a reality I live that allows Him to reach the world? I don't know, Michael. I just try to hear His voice and take it one day at a time....
That just doesn't seem right.
This kind of thing just hurts my heart. I can't even imagine trying to lure folks in with this kind of thing. Shouldn't it be that if we, as the church, are living out the Good News and living lives of love and holiness... people wouldn't need their tickling ears filled with free ipods... they would be attracted to Christ in us.
Ok, this is going to sound bad...
But...
Are we sure that this is a christian church? I read their beliefs, and it sounds a little gnostic in it's foundation.
Personally, I'm not against churches giving things away. They are free to do whatever they want. Granted, my church probably won't be giving anything away, any time soon.
Maybe *that* is why we are dying! O.o
Tim
It's a Unity church -- the beliefs are highly self-God oriented, and fairly antithetical to classic Protestant or Catholic notions of humanity and our character.
It's not surprising to me, then, that they'd take a somewhat unorthodox tack in encouraging memberships. And I'm not sure what I think of it -- it doesn't sound like you get one when you walk in the door, and I'm not sure how you "win the prize."
All I know is that churches are trying desperately to appeal to people in the same way that every other facet of society does, without taking notice of the fact that we go to church because the rest of society isn't cutting it.
Ironic.
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