First, where did you find this??? It is a great conversation starter and one that I plan to use in my teen small group on Wednesday night. Second, the comments that I find the most interesting are from the tele-evangelist Randy White. The most puzzling was the last comment he made toward the end of the article. He "quoted" something from John 14 that "If you live right, you get a mansion. That's a pretty good incentive. It's better than a Hummer." I am not sure that is the point of the verse...well, its absolutely not the point. Actions are what get us to Heaven, if I am not mistaken. I thought Grace was....but maybe that is just my bad.

Now to my comment on this article. I am torn. I definitely think that reaching people is a very good thing and a very hard thing. But where is the line between reaching people with the Message and buying people by offering prizes? Let's look no further than the great example we have all heard of, the "give the gift of candy to those that bring their bible to class" gag. And what about offering rewards for memorizing Bible verses. Shouldn't kids, teens, adults just want to do that without offering rewards? I saw one comment from the article from a church leader said that he wished they would have just given away something other than a Hummer as a prize. Well, is that any better?

What in the world am I saying? I think that we should first take a look at ourselves, our churches, teen programs before we judge what others do. Of course the conservative part of me thinks this is totally misrepresenting the Gospel of Christ. The progressive part of me knows that this probably worked to get people in church that would never go there otherwise. But there must be a balance. I am wondering if the question is not one that should be posed about our culture. Why would a church feel that this step should be taken at all? Have we as church become so out of touch with our world that we need to start giving out more than candy for people to memorize verses or come to church? Of course there are mega churches such as Willow Creek, Saddleback, Southeast, etc. that, to my knowledge, don't offer any type of reward to come to their places of wroship (etc. of course a place to belong and for your life to be forever changed by the Savior of the world).

So I guess I am saying I would never do something like this to attract potential believers. And at the same time we must, as a church, realize that our world is changing and that we must change with it or die. We must realize that culture is not something that we can avoid, it is something we must work inside. I think that we must model our Savior by meeting people where they are...and sometimes where they are is not comfortable for us.
 

this is a horrible idea. correct me if i'm wrong, but Jesus said to leave everything and follow him, not follow him and get a hummer.
 

The Jerm summed it up well. There can be nothing good that comes from this.
 

I'm going to voice an opposing viewpoint, since everyone seems to be on the same side of this issue. If you really read The Word, you'll find that it's FULL of incentives. (note: incentives, not bribes!) I mean, let's face it. Why did we get saved to begin with? The incentive: You can go to heaven and avoid eternal torment in hell. Sounds like a great incentive to me!

Let's look deeper than the surface. Church Without Walls, Pastors Randy and Paula White, has blessed people again and again. You need only go to their site and see their passion for winning the lost, particular kids with their sidewalk sunday school program. How many people came to church that day that would never daarken our churches' doorsteps, in the hopes of winning a new car? How many of them were born again? Even with those who were not born again, a seed was planted in all of their hearts. That, my friend, is worth every Hummer, Xbox, or candy bar in the world.

What's the price of a soul? If all of heaven rejoices when one lost sheep is found, let's give the angels a reason to really party. If I can win the lost, I'll use whatever resources are available to me. One life is far more valuable than a Hummer. Besides, isn't going to church a good thing? Doesn't the Bible say we should go to church? (do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together) Isaiah 1:19 says, "If you're willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land." Look...another incentive.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! :-)

-Ron Coleman
Christian Education Director/Children's Pastor
 

I'm a firm believer that 99.9% of the established churches in the world need to put some extra effort into marketing themselves better to the world. From the leaders they choose to represent them in the world showcase down to the personal identity they reflect themselves with in their own communities. I'm talking marketing. I'm talking advertising. I think both of these things can be done effectively without damaging the worldview of the church. I believe that this Hummer stunt is such a damaging device. You can choose to believe that it's an incentive that speaks to today's materialistic non-believers. I believe that it is not only a bribe, but shows the rest of the world that we can be just as materialistic (which we can be), self-centered (which we can be) and easily blinded by the false idols of this world (which we can be). What's the point of being a Christian if we're no different than the world? Are we not called to be "not of this world"? I'm not against Hummers or the SUVolution (as a small SUV owner myself), but using such a product to lure people someplace they don't want to go is a dirty strategy, false advertising and not, in my opinion, the way Christ would want His bride to behave.
 

Ron thank you for your comments and perspective. Both Kate and Kenny have so eloquently stated the problems with a church doing such a stunt. I would like to add just a couple of my own thoughts.

I fundamentally believe that people don't become "saved" because they feel they need rescuing from hell. I don't even think that is an incentive that Jesus put out there for people. Rather I believe people become saved because they realize their place in the Kingdom of God in the here and now and in eternity. People choose to surrender their "go it alone" outlook and submit to an outlook that seeks to love God first and then my neighbor.

I am very critical of the church that decides to associate material wealth and blessing with the Gospel of Jesus. I won't be cynical because that would deny the work of the Spirit. Yet, for this particular church to associate getting saved with getting a status of wealth is, quite frankly, antithetical to the Gospel.

When the secular media criticizes a church for something like this, and the church people see nothing wrong with it....I have to conclude that those standing on the "outside" get it while those on the inside don't.
 

Its Edwin i dont remember my password lol! Anyways i think it's not the greatest idea to raffle off a H2...(considering its whack cuz its a metal shell with an engine nuttin military would want to use)... because are going to realize their money is going to towards buying someone in the church who never comes a new ride and then donations are not going to continue anymore. The best incentive is a free church retreat where all your worries are gone. That brings much more happiness than a H2 in your house. It just adds more to your expenses in life, how else is it going to run if there's no gasoline in it. well thats all i gots to say. I'm out HOLLA!! lol