Church Offers Free Gas For Attending
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Fri, September 02, 2005
- Viewed 77
- (25) comments so far
Rising gas prices in Siouxland and around the country are causing many people to drive less and pay more for goods and services.
During hard times church is the first place we need to be Clearview wants people to know that the economy may rise and fall, but Gods love remains the same.
The 10:30am service at Clearview is casual (no ties allowed) and is a blend between an Eagles concert and the freedom speech in Braveheart.
No matter what type of week you?ve had, you?re going to leave here inspired and ready to face another week!
Vouchers, redeemable for $10 of gas only at the Select Mart on 14th street, along with a free bible and music CD are given to first time visitors (one per family) after the service.
Do you think this will be effective?
This from the Clearview Community Church Website: Clearview Community Church is giving away vouchers good for $10 of free gas to every family that visits for the first time during the month of September. We are so confident that our worship service will be the best hour of your week that we are willing to pay for your gas to get here and back…
Comments
if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.
Bernie Dehler on Fri, September 02, 2005
Same comments as the ones for the free ice-cream give-away. Same give-away, different product.
Personally, I don’t think it’s the best use for donor’s money. I think there’s too much emphasis in most churches in numerical growth, rather than spiritual growth. For numerical growth, you give away free gas and ice-cream. For spiritual growth, you feed the poor and visit those in prison (and other things that seperate the sheep from the goats).
...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247
Dean on Fri, September 02, 2005
Getting them in the door? Probably some.
Transforming their lives? That’s up to what the church does next.
Big E on Fri, September 02, 2005
Bernie,
Wondering in light of current gas prices if filling one’s gas tank is equivilent to “feeding the poor”...just a thought.
rev-ed on Fri, September 02, 2005
There’s something about bribing people to show up at church…
Donny Cox on Sat, September 03, 2005
We use to speak of “rice Christians” in third world countries. Now are we to have “gas Christians” in the U.S.? Whatever happenned to the church going out into the world? It seems that bringing in the crowd is more important that sharing the good news daily.
Peter Hamm on Mon, September 05, 2005
Bernie writes
“For numerical growth, you give away free gas and ice-cream. For spiritual growth, you feed the poor and visit those in prison (and other things that seperate the sheep from the goats).”
Why can’t we have both?!?!?
RevSteven on Mon, September 05, 2005
Fantastic way of reaching the unchurched and dechurches and THAT’S what we are supposed to be about.
T on Mon, September 05, 2005
Was the command to “Go and make attenders,” or “Go and make disciples?”
ken on Mon, September 05, 2005
Great way of thinking out of the box. There is a balance we should all consider. We need to start finding creative ways to reach out and this is one. Call it what some may…what are we doing about it is the question. Don’t attenders become disciples? Don’t more people give more opportunites to grow them spiritually?
Frank on Mon, September 05, 2005
This is monstrous! It is nothing short of BRIBING people to come to church!!! It is sickening and worldly!!! All it is doing is appealing to the flesh to get people to come to church. Here’s an idea, try real evangelism and go out and tell people the REAL gospel of sin, repentance, and salvation. That is the way Jesus and the apostles did it….or isn’t Jesus’ method good enough for our “sophisticated” modern culture? This is truly disgusting, only one Bible verse comes to mind over this.
“Jesus wept.” John 11:35
Geoff on Mon, September 05, 2005
Didn’t Jesus give away fish sandwiches at one of his meetings?
Rev Jay on Mon, September 05, 2005
Well, I could use $10 in gas too, Please send it and I promise I will attend my church (like I was going to anyway)and disciple the people of God that are able to carpool and make it on their own. Compelling people to come to the supper is one thing, but I do believe it is true that we are to witness and win those who are lost. Hopefully the Holy Spirit inspired this method of outreach. Many blessings. Rev Jay
Art Good on Mon, September 05, 2005
“Didn’t Jesus give away fish sandwiches at one of his meetings?”
Absolutely! So much of what Jesus did was “outside the box” for His day and culture. I am completely positive Jesus would do something like this. No doubt in my mind it is a good idea!!!
Mr. Mister on Mon, September 05, 2005
“isn’t Jesus’ method good enough for our “sophisticated” modern culture?”
First, I am not a pastor though I do attend church and occasionally visit this website.
You are entirely correct that we should conduct our lives as Jesus did. So far as I can see, Jesus met the physical needs of the people first so they could be attentive to their spiritual needs.
In that order.
My thoughts on covering an individuals out of pocket expenses to attend church? It sure sounds a lot like how Jesus would have reached them—by meeting their physical needs first.
Besides, is this any different than a ‘bussing’ ministry ala inner city churches? Actually, it’s probably much less expensive overall as there are no vehicle leases, repairs, or insurances!
...Reducing transportation costs to the price of the fuel? This is fiscally responsible, believe it or not!
Peter Hamm on Tue, September 06, 2005
Frank says “Here’s an idea, try real evangelism and go out and tell people the REAL gospel of sin, repentance, and salvation. “
How do you know they’re not doing that? My experience shows that churches that do wacky stuff like this often ARE the ones reaching out effectively. The church that “gave out Ice Cream” is a great example. I’ve had some first hand experience with them, and they are really reaching their communities for Christ!
Also, Frank… I don’t think “Jesus wept” over this particular issue in the passage you referenced. He was weeping for the pain that death and separation from God has instilled in all of us, in that instance, especially Lazarus and his family. I think the church that “bribes” people to come to church is responding to the same exact thing! (there’s a turnaround for you!)
Page 1 of 2 pages 1 2 >
Post a Comment