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    Go To Church, Win a Hummer

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    Revival Ministries International will give away a yellow, 2003 H2 Hummer during its Winter Campmeeting, which began Sunday and runs through Jan. 16. The weeklong program features Howard-Browne as the keynote speaker at the River at Tampa Bay, the church he and wife Adonica founded in December 1996.



    Church officials declined to comment about the giveaway, saying they didn't want any publicity. Local clergy who spoke about the Hummer either liked the idea or hated it.



    "I think it's an excellent idea," said Randy White, televangelist and senior pastor of Without Walls International Church, one of the fastest growing congregations in Tampa with 18,000 members. "If this were MTV or any other secular market or organization, there wouldn't even be anything written about it. I applaud Rodney."



    White said that his church has given away homes and paid electric bills for a full year to those attending his services. "It's a bait on the hook to get people in to hear the message," he said.



    White readily admits that his approach to religion and preaching can seem controversial. It's to be expected, he said. He's had strip club owner Joe Redner in his pulpit.



    "And I've had Bubba the Love Sponge call me his pastor," White said.



    W. James Favorite, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, a congregation of about 600, said churches have given up on simple person-to-person relationships. There's no need for such incentives, he said. Pastors should simply ask people to join them.



    "I'm a firm believer that the word of God is what gets folks to come to church," Favorite said. "I don't want to judge anybody's ministry on how they go about getting folks to come, but I thinks it's rather cheap to suggest that you can con folks into coming to church."



    According to the official drawing rules and regulations for the Hummer on Revival Ministries International's Web site, www.revival.com people had the chance to register to win the vehicle between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2004. Those eligible for the drawing included first-time visitors to select services at the River during 2004, church members who brought first-time visitors, Bible students, and people who filled out one of several surveys.



    The Web site listed two other prizes to be given during the Winter Campmeeting: a scooter and a Play Station. A 2003 H2 Hummer, listed as the "grand prize," is registered to Revival Ministries International, according to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. A 2005 H2 Hummer can retail for more than $50,000.



    The Campmeeting at the River will double as a celebration of 25 years in the ministry for Howard-Browne. He began pastoring in his native South Africa when he was 18 and calls himself the "Holy Ghost bartender." Howard-Browne is known for spells of holy laughter, where followers are so drunk with the Holy Spirit they fall on the floor in hysterics.



    During the summer of 1999, Howard-Browne preached a 24-night crusade at Madison Square Garden in New York City. His congregants have been known to flood the streets of Ybor City on Friday nights, offering free prayer instead of free beer.



    Before moving to their current location at 3738 River International Drive, where Drive Time Car Sales used to be off Interstate 75 and the Mango exit, Howard-Browne's congregation did a stint worshiping in the Sun Dome at the University of South Florida.



    He told churchgoers on the first Sunday of the new year that 2005 would be the year of blessings. For one person, that begins with a Hummer.



    "It's a great idea. Ingenious," said Randy Brummit, pastor of Brandon Assembly of God with about 400 members. "If I could give away a car a week, we would."



    But have churches become too secular in their attempts to attract worshipers?



    "Religion is trying to fit in," said Dell deChant, a University of South Florida religious studies instructor who teaches a class called Religion and Popular Culture. "Does it fit in by trying to utilize the tools and techniques of a secular society? Or does it fit in by standing out, and saying here's how we're different? Our culture allows for both."



    DeChant said a scripture in the Bible warns Christians "to be in the world, but not of it."



    "Critics would say (giving away a Hummer) is a little too much of the world," deChant said.



    Marc S. Sack, rabbi for Congregation Rodeph Sholom, with more than 500 members, said he would rather see the River give away a more economical vehicle.



    "I think Hummers are morally questionable," Sack said. "At a time when Americans think about conserving energy resources, I don't think we should be encouraging or celebrating a vehicle that is the ultimate gas guzzler."



    But White, from Without Walls, said churches in the Tampa Bay area have to compete with nearby amusement parks and beaches. Concerts offer million-dollar pyrotechnics, he said.



    "We'll have a candle," White said. "It's just sad where the church hasn't stepped up."



    White plans to have Rhythm and Blues songstress Mary J. Blige at Without Walls for the Super Sunday service on Super Bowl Sunday. White says he's working to get hip-hop stars Usher and Mace to also attend a service. Churches, he said, should be on the cutting edge.



    "What would Jesus do?" asked White, pausing to recite a Bible text from John 14. "If you live right, you get a mansion. That's a pretty good incentive. It's better than a Hummer."

    What do you think?  Good idea or good idea gone terribly wrong?


    I found this article in the St. Petersburg Times.  What do you think?  Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne stands in the pulpit, preaching the promise of Malachi 3:10 over shouts of hallelujahs and amens.  God can rain down blessings, he says in his native South African accent, until "there shall not be room enough to receive it." Someone apparently will need room enough in the driveway for a blessing the pastor plans to give away during the revival: A 16-by-10-foot H2 Hummer.





    go to church


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    Comments

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    1. Bernie Dehler on Wed, January 19, 2005

      Giving away a Hummer is sick.  Read John Ch. 6.  The people then followed Jesus, not for his miracles, but because they were simply fed.  Jesus told them that they must eat him (by believing in him), but they couldn’t handle it because they were too dull, so they left Him.


      Now we have (so called) ministers of Jesus, doing just the opposite.  You want food? How about a lifetime supply for visiting our church?  Not enough? How about a Hummer!?

      These Pastors need to study up on Gideon.  You don’t need a large Church (or ministry) to be a success for God.  They are desperate for church “growth,” (numbers, not spiritual growth) and so almost any means will justify the ends…


      John 6:

       

        26Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”


        28Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”


        29Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”


      ...Bernie


      http://www.FreeGoodNews.com

       

    2. Al on Wed, January 19, 2005

      For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; (4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV)

    3. Tom on Thu, January 20, 2005

      Hummmmmm.


      This concept warrants taking up space on the WWW?


      tom

    4. Bob on Mon, January 24, 2005

      yes… sick. But just an extension of the “attractional” way of doing church. If the whole goal is to get people in the building, giving away a hummer isn’t too far removed from much of what we do (hiring musicians, treating a worship gathering as a production, etc) to “attract” people.  The problem is, we end up creating consumers of church rather than followers of Christ.

      And don’t get me started on the the materialistic mindset giving away an over-the-top gluttonous vehicle like this betrays.


      Spend the money on feeding the poor, clothing the naked, and visiting/helping the sick and needy. This will be more “attractive” to the world and give them a better picture of Christ than any stupid gimmick…

       

    5. Brad on Mon, January 24, 2005

      I am a pastor just minutes away from The River and Without Walls ministries.


      Though I aplaud the “get the message out” motive - The New Testament has set some guidelines for the message bearers.

      One of the celebrity members of these churches in our community tried to run over his wife and kids last year with his SUV - On my shelf is a “Passion of the Christ” promotion from him…You can imagine what a nice coaster it is making.

       

    6. Tom on Fri, January 28, 2005

      Sad! Pastors have become spiritual DJ’s working for WIIFM (what’s in it for me). I understand that Jesus called the decisples on their commitment about following him for the food and miracles or out of love. “If you love me, feed my sheep”  I don’t see any SUV’s or hummers in that one! If that’s what you feel that you have to do to get people in, you will have to keep it up and come up with bigger and prettier shows to keep them! I for one won’t do that, If I have to resort to a three ring circus, I’m out!

    7. Daniel on Sat, January 29, 2005

      The Idea is wrong as well as Mr. Rodney Howard-Browne’s version of the gospel. What we are witnessing here is the fulfillment of the word of God in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1 to 5.


      “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”


      Whenever the draw of people in our churches comes from materialism and not God’s Word, we no longer serve the true and living God who gave us Jesus Christ. Instead we have substituted the God of mammon and pleasure over the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To allow non-Christians to take the pulpit and address God’s most treasured possession “His Children” is the most damnable act against God; that will ultimately bring His judgment and divine wrath.


      The reason that so many employ this type of drawing people is because it takes time and a determined effort to seek God and his holiness and to be guided by His Holy Spirit. It is when we are no longer able to preach God’s Holy Word under the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost that we fail to touch people’s lives. It has been and always will be the anointing upon the pastor to preach, and God’s Word, spoken under the unction of the Holy Ghost that draws and changes people.


      We are living in a time that so many have fallen from truly seeking God. We have allowed the world to change us instead of Christians changing the world. It makes me weep my brothers to see us so fallen and so void of the presence and power of our heavenly Father. “Preach the word” This is the true charge given to us who are true Sheppard’s of the flock and not mere hirelings. Let us be salt and light unto this present darkness and depend fully on Him who is able to do above and beyond our greatest expectations.

    8. Mel on Wed, April 27, 2005

      I apologize for the late entry.  It is apparent to those that are truly of the Christian faith and who actually know and study their Bibles that we are in the great apostasy or falling away described in II Thess. 2:3. 

      Sound doctrine?  You won’t find it in the “tare barns” (churches) in Tampa, FL.  For some reason (popularity or money perhaps? seeking men’s praise?), the pastors only want to preach “smooth things”, like “God loves you”, and “God has a purpose for your life”; messages that tend to glorify self and promote pride.  They have forgotten the teachings of Christ.  In fact, they follow another Jesus, not the One in the Bible. 

       

      Has anyone bothered to read the 4 gospels lately?  Was Christ a smooth preacher?  Hardly.  He was very clear- we are not to love the world, but He actually commands us, if we want to be His disciples, to crucify ourselves and follow Him.  Did He drive a 2003 Hummer?  Did He preach in a huge sanctuary that cost millions?  Nope, neither.  He was poor, meek, and lowly.  Can we follow Him if we love riches and are proud and in the flesh?  Not a chance.

       

      As for the huge local Baptist church that just built a new building for $70 million, who are they following?  Not Christ, that’s for sure.  And Without Walls International Church in Tampa joined the local Gasparilla parade and looked exactly like the world.  No surprise.  Pastor Randy White discovered that his pretty young wife can attract more congregants and therefore more moolah, so now she’s a preacher too.  I guess they forgot to read (and believe) I Tim. 2.  Has anyone ever happened to tune her in by accident?  I have. I never knew anyone could twist Scripture so well.  Oh yeah, I forgot, Satan can and did in Matthew 4. 

       

      Open your eyes, brothers and sisters!  Don’t be blind. Your God is holy and so is His Christ.  You are to come out of the world.  Let us follow the Word, not the world. Remember who the god of the world is? You really don’t want to be blind and follow him.


      Who is this Jesus everyone proclaims?  Find out by reading your Bible and believing it.  Jesus is the Word of God. 

       

      The real gospel is “Fear God, and give glory and worship to Him”, if you believe Rev. 14. The gospel is not that you can go on living lives of sin and still get into the Kingdom.  Christ said that the way was narrow, and very few will make it in.  Who are you going to believe? 


      True Biblical grace is not that your sins are forgiven past, present, and future, so eat drink and be merry.  Rather, the Bible defines grace as God’s power that teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and that we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.  Check it out:  Titus 2: 11-12.  Amen.

    9. Scooter Girl on Thu, July 31, 2008

      That is plain wrong and that man knows it. Seems like he’s forgot what christianity is all about. Shame on him.

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