Interesting… I think it’s okay for churches to enter into business but it must be done with much forethought and prayer.  It can be another way of “serving”. 

A church in our area recently did an outreach by providing $15,000 worth of gas at two local gas stations.  They couldn’t fill up everyone’s car, but they promised to give about a $25 fill-up to those who showed up.  They said this was their way of helping out the community although, knowing this church, it seemed to border on hype.  But, regardless of motive, God can use it to bring someone in.

Not a new idea, but is there a better way to spend $15,000 that has longer and more lasting impact?

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This is an area where the church needs to tread lightly. Is it completely wrong? of course not. The very last thing the body of Christ needs is another ‘secular’ item ‘Christian-ified’. From one angle, this is a true fulfillment of the biblical calling to subdue the earth, and to be a steward with our resources.

Another angle would be from the axiom “Power corrupts”, an interesting phrase phrase aimed at a power company (the article hinted that this was for natural gas); the problem with this is that even if it doesn’t become a money-maker, the eventual motivation may become as biblically unsound as indulgences, or as plain sad as the infamous “TestaMints” or the slew of ‘Christian’ t-shirts that unashamedly steal the slogans of pop culture. Emphasis on the “Stealing is Bad” verses.

The final angle more addresses Todd’s final question: ”Should churches run schools, orphanages, counseling centers, food kitchens, low income housing, malls, coffee shops or gas companies?” A Christian would have to say, what is the absolute purpose of owning a mall? Or a Gas company? Is it to spread the word of Christ to the area? The problem with many of these truly good things is the ‘huddle’ effect. The church creates a coffee shop, and the churchgoers attend. If the high percentile of attendees to ANY of the above options are already believers, then there usually isn’t a good reason to have it.* If the church is huddling with its own malls, coffee shops and schools, our interaction with the outside world is damaged. As Followers of Christ, we should be constantly interacting with the world around us. Paul wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting or effective if he preached only to believers. In my opinion, a church-run gas company set up to sell gas to churches (yes, eventually other non-profits) doesn’t seem like it’s reaching out. Unless this is a ministry to non-profit organizations, something may be a bit off.

* Obviously, there are exceptions. I’ve heard of churches building housing neighborhoods for the widows of pastors and the like, and there is not anything wrong with that. For a guideline of this, take (what I call) the 12-7 rule outlined in Acts 6. We need to take care of the physical needs of our members, but not in the sense that it is a detraction of our service to God.