Alarming and Scaring Church Leaders Into Action (and Out of $99!)
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Thu, June 29, 2006
- Viewed 152
- (34) comments so far
Here’s the email. Read it and give me your first impressions…
Christianity in America won’t survive another decade… unless we do something now.
This generation of teens is the largest in history—and current trends show that only 4% will be evangelical believers by the time they become adults. Compare this with 34% of adults today who are evangelicals. We are on the verge of a catastrophe.
Imagine an America at 4%:
Church attendance dwindles… Tithes and offerings are at an all time low… New church buildings sit empty… Life giving sermons go unheard… The role of a church leader becomes irrelevant.
We can’t let this happen! Churches cannot sit idle and allow this trend to take its course. We must take action NOW!
The Wake Up Call coming to your area is a high-level briefing for you and your church leaders. At the event, you will be advised on the status of teenage America and what must be done to rescue them. You will also be given tools and resources to protect the future of your church and to educate parents about the attack on their children. Top voices in the Christian community, including Ted Haggard, Jack Hayford, Tommy Barnett, I.V. Hillard, and Jerry Falwell, will present the hard facts facing our culture and what we must do to reverse the 4% trend.
Alarm and outrage are not enough. We must fight back!
Space is extremely limited at each of these events, so be sure to register right away. We want to make it as affordable for you and your entire leadership staff. So, if you register now, you can bring up to five of your church leaders for only $99.00 (space is limited and limits apply).
Register online for the event near you, or call us toll-free at 866-XXX-XXXX for more information.
Still consumed,
Ron Luce
P.S. Don’t forget to register online now and bring your entire church leadership for just $99.00 (while space permits).
--
Here are my problems with this email as I look at it closer. Please tell me if I’m just being nit picky:
1. I think Jesus’ message will survive even if I don’t do anything now. Jesus doesn’t need me; but he’d sure like to have my help in spreading his message. But to say that Christianity in America won’t survive just isn’t true, is it?!
2. Did you catch the job security thing… if I don’t act now, the role of a church leader will become irrelevant! (not that it is relevant now in thousands of peoples lives). But really, in a decade, we all might be out of a job!
3. So the answer is a ‘high-level briefing’? Yeah, you know, to ‘protect the future of your church’.
4. Alarmed and outraged? OK… but that’s not enough… you’ve got to fight back. How? By paying $99 to hear their high-level briefing. (It could, after all, save your job and your church, right!)
5. OK… I’m convinced. This is a huge problem. I need this high-level briefing. But I’d better hurry because ‘space is extremely limited.’ (Not just limited… EXTREMELY limited!) Now I’m outraged! Space is extremely limited? Why can’t they find a bigger hall? My job and my church is on the line (along with reversing the 4% trend); and you might not be able to find a seat for me? You’d really turn me away from your high-level briefing? That’s cold, dude.
6. Finally, they need to make this affordable not just for me but for my entire staff… that’s why it’s only $99. Why does it have to cost $99? If a thousand people show up, that’s $100k. What in the world could this briefing include that could cost Ron $100k in each location he’s doing this? That’s probably why he’s limited it to five attendees from each church.
I know, I know… ‘Todd, you’re being really a dork about all this’ (and I very well may be). But I have a degree in marketing; and this is a classic piece designed to get you to do one thing… take action (actually, to spend $99). I’m sure Ron Luce has a great ministry; and maybe I shouldn’t dog him too much if I haven’t attended; but the information and tone of his email instantly turned me off.
I don’t like to be manipulated, especially in Kingdom work. That’s why slick marketing ploys like this really tend to tick me off a little.
I’m interested… what’s your first response? Please tell me I’m over-reacting just a little…
Todd
I guess we all respond to messages differently. In my last post, I talked about the urgency with which we should view evangelism. Then last night, I received this email urging me to join the fight. I don't really know anything about Ron Luce or his ministry; but I know that the approach he uses in his email is a real turn off to me. Others might respond well, but for some reason, I didn't...
Comments
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Todd Rhoades on Thu, June 29, 2006
I understand what you’re saying Jonathan; but I do think this is a little different. The people who are criticizing the seeker-sensitive’s methodology are also saying that the message has changed. I’m not saying that here.
I’ve always liked Jerry Falwell. (Don’t ask me why… that’s a whole other topic). I don’t agree with much that Jerry has done; and his fund-raising has really bothered me. That doesn’t disount all that he does.
Same with Ron Luce. His briefing may be very good. It may be even well worth the $99. All I was trying to say is that I found it a bit manipulative; and it laid things on a little thick for my liking. Maybe it’s my marketing background… but his email hit all the right buttons; and see that is probably what got to me the most. If it’s a good cause, I shouldn’t have to be threatened, manipulated, or aroused. He just chose the wrong way to motivate me. Others I’m sure are different.
Todd
sid on Thu, June 29, 2006
I think it was here at MMI (not sure completly) back in Feb. when a post was included about Aquire the Fire and their use of a secular (non-Christian in practice and belief) marketing company to “sell” the message this year.
While we had a number of youth go to AtF this year I must say that they came back fired up and spouting the same statistics that are used in the e-mail. (I’m reminded by my actuary friend that there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.) What concerns me is that their fire and passion has been driving away the very kids they should be most concerned about reaching. Our adult leadership is working overtime to keep the community together so that all the kids can grow in their faith and love of the Lord and not just have to do it like AtF. I don’t know where it will all be headed but I’m glad that I can put my faith in a Jesus that can and will do far more than I can ever do on my own.
The day the Kingdom depends upon my attendance at a $99 conference is the day I will say I’ve been following the wrong god.
kent on Thu, June 29, 2006
While I do not care for the manner of the e-mail, I have heard the same thing from some of the emergent church - that the church is failing and will soon disappear. That we have failed. That if something is not done, then there is no hope. Now I am very supportive of the emergent movement, but I wonder if those prophets of doom anywhere in the church have read the same Bible I do and have looked at church history.
We are always on the edge of dimise. We are always doing it wrong. They even did it wrong in the New Testament. Why would Paul have to write all those tters if they had gotten it right? I am naive about the church. I know that there are serious issues, but I also know that really wonderful things happen in the church every day. Enough with the doomsday marketing. I know that there will be room for at least one more at this conferecne because I am not going. Someone else can have my spot.
What I appreciate about your site Todd is that so often you do point out what is right with the church. As one person said the gate of hell don’t have a chance.
Another Jeff on Thu, June 29, 2006
I’m coming in a little late on this discussion, but I always struggle with issues like this. My problem is entirely in this message’s approach. This comes across as the ministerial equivalent of a time-share presentation. I experienced a similar feeling while at an informational session for “Letters From Dad.” I completely support the concept behind Letters from Dad and have read the book. Great idea. But to participate in the ministry through the church required a certain amount of investment on my part. It felt a little awkward. I believe in buying books, CDs, DVDs, and other materials provided they fit into my budget. It’s just that sometimes I feel like we are guilty of the same offenses that caused Jesus to cleanse the temple.
josh r on Thu, June 29, 2006
I generally approve of the BattleCry message to teens, and I certainly do think there is reason for alarm.
This sales pitch is extremely secular. I think that they have really dropped the ball. It seems pretty craxy that a organization that espoused the dangers of the marketer’s worldview infultrating our youth would go out and hire a secular marketing firm (See http://www.mmiblog.com/monday_morning_insight_we/2006/04/when_the_world_.html) This is what happens when you let the fox run the henhouse. Matt 6:24
Also is alarming that they named all kinds of human leaders, but left out the most important leader of all.
Sarah on Thu, June 29, 2006
I actually attended Battle Cry this year with my youth group. I wouldn’t have except that my youth pastor “really” wanted me to go, and found someone to pay for me to go. Plus it was a trip to Philly.
I’d attended Acquire the Fire events before, and enjoyed about half of them. I have friends who definitely were changed because of AtF/Teen Mania times. But honestly, Battle Cry stunk, and my opinion of Ron Luce was extremely lowered.
As I talked to my friends about it afterward, I explained to those who didn’t go that nearly the whole weekend I felt like they were glorifying the problem, much like the above e-mail does. “This is the horrible state this nation is in!” they screamed. “We must do something about it!”. “OK!” we all yelled, “What?”
Their answer? Go to youth group. And commit to doubling your youth group next year. I’m not kidding you. That was their solution to the “4 percent”. I thought to myself “If that actually was the answer, then we wouldn’t be coming up on 4%.”
My youth pastor went to the “Youth worker breakout session” and bought the curriculum they sell, apparently their solution to the corruption in America. It teaches you how to “stand up for your faith”. But like Sid said, “What concerns me is that their fire and passion has been driving away the very kids they should be most concerned about reaching”. It doesn’t seem to work.
I agree with Ron and Teen Mania that something needs to change. I agree that the current generation is suffering. But honestly there is only one thing that is powerful enough to actually do the changing, and it isn’t church programs. It isn’t curriculum. It’s Jesus. Like Paul said “Jesus and Him crucified”. Obviously that’s what changed the world in the early church. And I’m sure it still works today.
I know Ron Luce has a heart for teenagers. I’ve heard him speak many times, watched his TV show, even have one of his books. But an observation I made in Philadelphia disturbed me. He said “God loves you” only 3 times the entire weekend (And when he said that it was simply referring to God as a “Loving Father”). He told those kids that Jesus loved them enough to die for them not once.
I understand there are grave dangers facing this nation. But what teenagers today need to know is that Jesus loves them more than they could ever imagine, and that love is more than enough for all their needs. That’s the answer. And I don’t need to pay 99 dollars to learn that.
Anonymus on Thu, June 29, 2006
Todd, by now I’m starting to think that you’re working against the church instead of for the chuch. I’m very dissappointed with this blog. It seems to me that everytime I read it all I read is the comments of a bunch of “inneffective christian leaders” with nothing better to do than to criticize the effective ministries of today.
Can we use this Blog to encourage instead of bashing Christian leaders that are making a difference in our nation.
Although most people on this blog have tried to protect Ron Luce’s ministy, they’ve done it after bashing him…
That’s like punching someone and helping them back up or like saying “everything Todd writes is silly but I’m sure he loves God”—- Man - stop it already!!!
If you don’t like what some ministry is doing take it up with that ministry, don’t post this on the World Wide Internet…
Mark Pryor on Thu, June 29, 2006
I wonder why he posted “Anonymous”
Drew Kropff on Fri, June 30, 2006
Let me start this off by saying I don’t represent Teen Mania, or Ron or anything like that, but I couldn’t read this and not say something. This is a correction in love to all of you.
I am an intern with Teen Mania, and I am under Ron Luce’s leadership right now. I feel like what really scares me about this whole thing is that the point of this article is tearing down someone who is doing the work of the Lord. This is more anti-biblical then anything Ron did or said in his e-mail. You are purposefully shooting down the ministry of someone else trying to reach people in the name of Jesus, just because it rubbed you the wrong way. Than if that weren’t enough the message spreads to others who have had simialr bad experiences, and aren’t mature enough to get over it. I don’t want to sound mean, but this really scares me. So what if Ron isn’t doing ti the way you think he should or you would like him to. You don’t need to spread a message of dicontent. In my own personal opinion there are a lot of youth pastors, obviously not as high and mighty as yourselves, who need to hear the message Ron is sharing. I will personally apologize for anything that you feel like Teen Mania or ATF or Ron has done wrong, but he is just a man, and we are all just people. I called for ATF for a year, and yes there were times I made mistakes and someone got mad, but haven’t you done the same to your group, or spouse at some point. So all this to say, if you don’t like it then do something better, please don’t shoot down what someone else is doing. Also I seem to remember Paul talking about not caring whether people preached the message of Jesus for the right or wrong reasons just as long as Christ was preached. I’m not saying at all that Ron is preaching for the wrong reason, but isn’t it even worse if you are starting unrest because he isn’t doing it the way you would like him to.
The portions where people alluded or basically staright up said that Ron is doing this for the money boggled my mind. Ron doesn’t control the prices, he also doesn’t get any profit from it. We are a non-profit organization…so that just doesn’t make any sense to me. We actually lose money on these events if you must know, including ATF. Honestly this all just makes me mad and digusts me that the leaders of the church are sitting at their computers cutting down other leaders in the church.
Todd Rhoades on Fri, June 30, 2006
Thanks, Drew… unfortunately you’ve just done what you chided us for doing.
Todd here, the owner of the blog and writer of the original post. No where in the post did I cut at Ron personally, or at the work of his ministry. As a matter of fact, I went out of my way to NOT do that.
What I took issue with was the way he marketed the conference. (And again, I was careful to say that this approach might work for some people, but not for me).
Even the fact that I have never been to an ATF event or had anything to do with Ron says something about how he got my email in the first place.
I’m really not trying to stir up unrest here Drew… just merely pointing out the marketing characteristics of the email I received (unsolicited, BTW). My main point I was trying to make was the the email was a well-written, slick piece of advertising (which is exactly what Ron is after if you follow the link earlier in the comments); and it may work on some; but it didn’t on me.
Todd
Another Jeff on Fri, June 30, 2006
For me personally, I don’t have any problems with Ron or his ministry in terms of purpose. Alot of great ministries exist to spread the message of Christ, reach lost souls, build strong disciples, etc. Unfortunately, because of the consumer-oriented society in which we live, churches and ministries MUST market themselves if their voice is to be heard. Agree or disagree, that’s the way I see it. So, I often support WHAT a ministry is hoping to accomplish. I’ll even support the fact that they must market themselves. Look at Upward Basketball, Soccer, etc. They’ve done a maginificent job of marketing their ministry to churches. Plus, they are benefitting from the greatest marketing of all: positive word of mouth. No, my issue is with the WAY in which SOME ministries seek to market themselves.
And I don’t believe this has become a bashing only blog. I find it to be very educational and informative because with most posts, there are varying degrees of opinion. That’s why this is a great site.
angelina on Fri, June 30, 2006
yeah, and i agree w/ what the “Another Jeff” says about this not being a bash blog. i think complaining about ppl’s concerns and simply wanting them to “stop it” is a concern for me. these things are healthy topics of discussion.
if we can’t hash all this stuff out then who are we?
but in your defense (not that you asked for a defense), i would say that the need to be careful that we don’t slide into helping along any bitterness of others.
one thing i try to remember is that love always PROTECTS.
(but as far as hashing things out and talking and discussing things, i’m ALL FOR IT!)
Matt on Sun, July 02, 2006
My few experiences with Teen Mania have been less than stellar for the very reason the former poster who actually works there in Garden Valley condemned Todd for. Every time I heard Ron or any other TM or Global Expedition Leader speak, the message could basically be translated thus:
“If you’re not doing mission work our way, then you are not amounting to anything.”
Now…I’ve worked for the SBC’s International Mission Board in the past. The IMB is nowhere near a perfect organization, but it still does a great job. But I was basically told by TM that I didn’t really know anything because I’ve never really been on such an intensive mission as the one I was currently taking with Global Exp because my past trips were taken with the IMB. I was 21 at the time and I have lived in other parts of the world but I was treated like I was one of the 15-year olds I was supervising. I wish I were kidding.
Ron Luce does a great job getting young people excited about reaching foreign people groups. I just wish he could do it without such presumption.
michael on Tue, July 04, 2006
Drew, I am not personally connected to Ron Luce or to Todd so this is not biased. But you’re obviously letting your feelings of working for an organization influence your opinion, and that is understadable. I don’t think most people here are questioning Ron Luce’s integrity or ministry. And certainly, not liking an event after atttending it is not the same as immaturity that they should just get over. I didn’t get the senset that Todd was trying to shut down ATF…just analyze a marketing approach that MANY people find offensive. We don’t like it when telemarketers call our house, but because they are Christians, it becomes acceptable? Expressing concern is not cutting down a ministry bro.
Benjamin on Mon, July 10, 2006
Fellow Christians… It is easy to discuss the positives and negatives of our methods of ministry. For this purpose we are divided into so many denominations… when God’s children fail to render appropriate respect for those that God has called out from among us. Look at Dr. Billy Graham and all the criticism he has had over his 50+ years of ministry. Remember the words of David as he looked upon his soon fallen King Saul in 1 Sam. 26:9… “for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s annointed, and be guiltless?”
Blessings and God’s Speed!
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