A pastor in Texas found a novel way to get people to come to his church

[3tbear]

I just saw this on the Sharon Osbourne show, she was talking about it. The pastor gives a lottery ticket to everyone who shows up for church each week. Some lucky parishioner will win either a PT Cruiser or a Harley Davidson motorcycle. It's a novel way to get parishioners don't you think? At the same time I feel that it shouldn't have to be necessary, that so many of us, including myself have gotten away from the church. It doesn't seem to have the draw it did when I was a kid. I've been thinking of joining a church, I just haven't narrowed it down yet as to which or when I'll do it. Maybe life is just more hectic these days??? That's just my take on things. Our lives just don't seem to have as much free time as in the past.

[Ttulipss]

It is sad how people have gotten away from church and that a pastor needs to bribe people time. I don't think it's a matter of not having time, it's just a matter of prioritizing. As for my family, it's a priority.....this life is just an inkling compared to eternity! As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

[3tbear]

I really feel that's what is missing in people's lives these day, religion, and that's why people are so mean to one another, or it's ME ME ME all the time with no regard for others. My old church that I used to attend is at least a couple hours drive from my new location, where we now live. It has changed though. The minister died from Aids. I'd like to find a church closer to home. Parking used to be free across from the church, now it's a paid parking lot.

[3tbear]

I really feel that's what is missing in people's lives these day, religion, and that's why people are so mean to one another, or it's ME ME ME all the time with no regard for others. My old church that I used to attend is at least a couple hours drive from where we now live. It has changed though. It's sad 'cause the minister died from Aids, that's the last thing I heard, he announced that he had it to his parishioners. So sad. He's the one who married my sister and her husband.

[bestmidwest]

Originally Posted by Ttulipss

It is sad how people have gotten away from church and that a pastor needs to bribe people time. I don't think it's a matter of not having time, it's just a matter of prioritizing. As for my family, it's a priority.....this life is just an inkling compared to eternity! As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

I have to agree with this. If it's important for you, then you shouldn't need to be bribed to go. We just found a new church and I'm very excited about it. DH and I made a committment to each other that we would go every week unless we're very sick. I think it's important for the kids too.

I have made a committment to myself to start taking care of my body and my soul, and I've felt better ever since! What's funny is that the youth pastor for my church Jazzercises with me, so we are always saying...see you tomorrow, see you Sunday...and then I feel like I HAVE to be there. I made that committment. It's funny how just saying it makes you want to do it!

[mum23]

Originally Posted by 3tbear

I really feel that's what is missing in people's lives these day, religion, and that's why people are so mean to one another, or it's ME ME ME all the time with no regard for others.

On the contrary, history has proven time and again that people maim, kill, rape and pillage in the name of their religion, for the glory of their god.

Religion always is hailed as the cure for the world's evils. But, too often, it's the problem, not the solution.

I do believe the world would be a better place if people were more compassionate and more tolerant.

[mayfly]

What people have done in the name of religion is not what religion is about.

Who did Jesus kill? to judge Jesus on the actions of sinners rather than Jesus' actions is confusing.

We say "don't judge this race or that race based on a fews actions, don't judge this sex or that sex based on their actions. Don't lump people all in the same group because of bad apples. Dont judge Germans because of WWII.

Don't judge Jesus because of evil actions. Find out who he is from him.

[MrsLisaP]

I think it's horrible they have to bribe people to get them in, that is getting them all there for the wrong reasons. I am sure most are just showing up to win the motorcycle or car and when it's over, many will stop going once again.

I think that money they are spending on the vechiles could go to a much better mission for the church.

[tlspiegel -Closed]

tsk tsk... bad move.

[Pipanella]

I agree wholeheartedly that you shouldn't have to bribe people to go to church. However, trying to find some good in this.......what if just one of those people that came for the wrong reasons, had their heart changed by the Holy Spirit?

Not sure how God would feel about this pastor's methods, but if he truly had the right intentions, I think that God will look upon his heart and see that.

One thing I've learned about God over the years is that He uses the most unlikely people and things for His purposes.

[telos2000]

There is another pastor in Houston that offers white people $5 to attend his all-black church. I just don't understand and that's all I have to say about the subject.

[Pipanella]

Originally Posted by telos2000

There is another pastor in Houston that offers white people $5 to attend his all-black church. I just don't understand and that's all I have to say about the subject.

Now what is he trying to prove here? I think there's whole other issue involved with this one. So new attendants that are black don't get the $5? That's a strange one.

[3tbear]

You might be right, some people that are going for the lottery tickets might just stay on with the church, find that they actually like going. I think it is good for the soul as well. There is a church the next town over from us, they sent out flyers to get people for their church. I think they started it in their house, the church that is. That's one way of doing it, at least they are not bribing people to come. They are doing it in a nice respectable way, letting people know that they are out there for them, and to come and join them.

[freesurfer]

What'll they come up with next?

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by telos2000

There is another pastor in Houston that offers white people $5 to attend his all-black church. I just don't understand and that's all I have to say about the subject.

Maybe this will make it clearer for you:


SHREVEPORT, La., Aug 1 — Week after week, Bishop Fred Caldwell grew tired of seeing so few white faces in his predominantly black church. So now he is offering to pay whites to attend.
Starting Sunday, Caldwell will pay whites $5 an hour out of his own pocket for attending Sunday services, and $10 an hour for Thursday night services. The idea hit him during a sermon last week, he said.

“This idea is born of God. God wants a rainbow in his church,” said Caldwell, bishop at Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church, with a congregation of about 5,000.

Caldwell said he has gotten mainly positive responses from his parishioners and from whites, a number of whom have told him they will attend his services for free.

…

Caldwell said he believes the country is too segregated in all areas, but most of all in its churches.

“The most segregated hour in America is Sunday morning at 11 o’clock. The Lord is tired of it, and I’m certainly tired of it,” he said. “This is not right.”

The bishop’s plan has become the talk of Shreveport, a city of about 200,000, almost equally divided between black and white residents. In bars, restaurants and coffee shops, residents debated the idea of paying people to attend church."

I think this is a great idea, and certainly should not be compared to giving away a car.