Gas is the New iPod in Evangelism

I just read about a church that is raffling off two $500 gas cards.  Click HERE to see the video.  Here's how it works.  A Revival begins on Sunday (don't know which one) and it will end on Wednesday night.  So people sign up for a raffle and the raffle is drawn on Wednesday, good way to keep people coming to church.  I have heard of churches raffling off iPods but apparently they are not in demand as much as gasoline is.  Maybe the large evangelistic campaign in the City of Angles can spend its $1 Million Dollars set for evangelism, on gasoline?  I know I would attend and I am sure some churches would be filled to capacity if we offered free gasoline.

It still sounds to me like evangelism is about bringing people 'INTO' the church because somehow when people walk "INTO' the church they will somehow be transfromed.  Not always the case (have you been to some churches).  From what I have encountered in the Biblical Narrative, Jesus transformed people in the city, on a mountain, along the road, at a well, during lunch, in a boat, along the sea...I could go on.  In scripture we see a picture of God who ' GOES OUT' into his world and becomes one with the people.  I am of the school that we are to bring Jesus and the Kingdom into our community.  Transformation happens when we enter into solidarity with our community and find solutions to the problems that face us.  Instead of just gasoline, what if we encourage carpooling and other modes of transportation and how that also makes for cleaner air.  The essential question to ask is "If God were living in my community what would make him upset and then we could begin to tackle those issues."  No gimmicks just the belief that God wants better for humanity and from humanity. I don't see anything wrong with giving out free gasoline, especially now.  But I don't know if I feel comfortable using it as a gimmick, because that is what that is.  The sign of the cross should not be a sign of power or prestige or even a soap box but rather the place where we are confronted with the question "what needs to die" and "what needs resurrection" .  If we could answer these questions people will be transformed.  Check out my friend, Ryan Bell's Blog (specifically the post "Affordable Housing Los Angeles") by clicking HERE and see what he and his church are doing that is directly impacting their community and how that is good news to the citizens of Los Angeles.  I would call it evangelism.

Comments

[Ryan Bell]

Thanks, David! Don't churches realize that so-called 'unchurched' people can see right through these gimmicks? Maybe they will come just to get the gas.

[tiffany]

Brown is the new black.