Church Gimmick Fills Pews

[Guest]

From Chicago Tribune

.... "The Bible says even an ant stores up in the summer so it can live in the winter," Willis said. "Even an ant can teach us. Even an ant knows how to save. We, with intellect, don't know how to do it. When people see that in Scripture, it takes on a whole different level."....

Very Very

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-8

Wise Words

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

Proverbs 30:24-28

But Wiser Still

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Are These Words

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

[O'Dannyboy]

Sounds like this church is not serving the God of Abraham but Mammon instead. Ideologically speaking this to me is the major difference between liberals and conservatives. Conservatives, as the name/label suggests, live within their means and are content whereas liberals are not content and constantly want more. Big government vs small government. More vs less. Money, influence and popularity vs principles, conviction and character.

[MorningGlory]

Sounds like this church is not serving the God of Abraham but Mammon instead. Ideologically speaking this to me is the major difference between liberals and conservatives. Conservatives, as the name/label suggests, live within their means and are content whereas liberals are not content and constantly want more. Big government vs small government. More vs less. Money, influence and popularity vs principles, conviction and character.

[humbleseeker]

if I lived near I would have to cathc at least one service for a chance at the pot On the record I dont like it tottally wrong motivation, I would rather see them play bingo then that. People are going to desperate options in desperate times. Although what needs to be done is the preaching of the truth. If the members dont like it then kick the dust off your sandel and carry on. If you have to take a pay cut then so be it. The truth of Christ much be preached no matter what the cost. Although I am not mad for them giving out money for say, its better then the preachers that begg for money in return for blessings.

[Believer1997]

Just another ridiculous gimmick. I cannot imagine a legitimate church doing something so diametrically opposed to Christian ethics. I saw this article in the news last week and just felt sad.

[OneLight]

When I read this, I pictured Jesus cleaning out the temple of the money changers.

[Fez]

When I read this, I pictured Jesus cleaning out the temple of the money changers.

Next they will be selling indulgences again

[nikki1]

Blessings,

This is indeed appalling and reminded me also of Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem during the time of the Passover Feast when Jesus went into the Temple of God, He definitely didn't like what he saw according to scripture. He was obviously very angry at what was going on.

While our bodies are the Temple of the Lord now, this amounts to no less than bribing or paying someone to visit a congregation service to hear the word. Sadly, whoever visits this place won't receive the true Gospel and salvation message that God offers through Jesus Christ.

Nikki

[kross]

From Chicago Tribune

At Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Alsip, the congregation can get more than just prayer at the Sunday worship services.

If a lucky -- or "blessed and highly favored" -- churchgoer is in the right seat, they can also receive a cash prize.

At each of the three Sunday services, the Rev. Dan Willis pulls a number of one seat from a bag and the worshiper in that seat wins a cash prize. Two of the churchgoers win $250 and the third gets $500. The church gives away $1,000 each Sunday, Willis said.

The cash prize is part of Willis' recent focus on helping his congregation pay bills and begin a debt-free life, he said.

"We've had soooo many of our people displaced from jobs, facing foreclosure," he said. "When people's faith was high, their debt was down. When their faith was down, their debt was high. I realized the two are connected."

Willis concedes the cash prize is a gimmick to fill the pews. But he's unapologetic about the plan, because it's working. On a typical Sunday, his church draws about 1,600 people to its three Sunday services. But since the money giveaway started, about five weeks ago, the congregation has grown to about 2,500 each week, he said. The money for the giveaway comes from the church offering. Lighthouse is a non-denominational church.

"If I can get someone in here and teach them and give them money, that's what I'm going to do," he said.

As part of the lessons, Willis set up a shredder near the pulpit to encourage church members to shred their credit cards and commit to stop spending. He talks about budgeting, tackling past-due bills and saving. He encourages the prize winners to use the money to pay down their bills, rather than splurge on new items. One Sunday, he gave away 15 savings accounts with $25 already in them. And he had bank representatives at the service so church members could set up accounts.

"The Bible says even an ant stores up in the summer so it can live in the winter," Willis said. "Even an ant can teach us. Even an ant knows how to save. We, with intellect, don't know how to do it. When people see that in Scripture, it takes on a whole different level."

I love it. I would certainly pay someone to come to church in the hope of them hearing a message that would lead them to the LORD.

[Fez]

From Chicago Tribune

At Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Alsip, the congregation can get more than just prayer at the Sunday worship services.

If a lucky -- or "blessed and highly favored" -- churchgoer is in the right seat, they can also receive a cash prize.

At each of the three Sunday services, the Rev. Dan Willis pulls a number of one seat from a bag and the worshiper in that seat wins a cash prize. Two of the churchgoers win $250 and the third gets $500. The church gives away $1,000 each Sunday, Willis said.

The cash prize is part of Willis' recent focus on helping his congregation pay bills and begin a debt-free life, he said.

"We've had soooo many of our people displaced from jobs, facing foreclosure," he said. "When people's faith was high, their debt was down. When their faith was down, their debt was high. I realized the two are connected."

Willis concedes the cash prize is a gimmick to fill the pews. But he's unapologetic about the plan, because it's working. On a typical Sunday, his church draws about 1,600 people to its three Sunday services. But since the money giveaway started, about five weeks ago, the congregation has grown to about 2,500 each week, he said. The money for the giveaway comes from the church offering. Lighthouse is a non-denominational church.

"If I can get someone in here and teach them and give them money, that's what I'm going to do," he said.

As part of the lessons, Willis set up a shredder near the pulpit to encourage church members to shred their credit cards and commit to stop spending. He talks about budgeting, tackling past-due bills and saving. He encourages the prize winners to use the money to pay down their bills, rather than splurge on new items. One Sunday, he gave away 15 savings accounts with $25 already in them. And he had bank representatives at the service so church members could set up accounts.

"The Bible says even an ant stores up in the summer so it can live in the winter," Willis said. "Even an ant can teach us. Even an ant knows how to save. We, with intellect, don't know how to do it. When people see that in Scripture, it takes on a whole different level."

I love it. I would certainly pay someone to come to church in the hope of them hearing a message that would lead them to the LORD.

uh oh here we go....