Offering incentives to go to church?

[redstar826]

Someone just showed up at my door with a flyer for a church in my community. It seems that in a couple of weeks, they will having a drawing for any new visitors to the church that Sunday (the prizes are gift cars for gas and also for a local grocery store). That struck me as kind of odd. Is it a common thing to offer people the chance to win prizes

Comments

[pastorlenny]

Desperate times call for desperate measures!

[reginaterrae]

John 6:26 "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled."

Nothing new under the sun. Some might say if you can just get their feet in the door, some will stay and listen to the Word. Sure, maybe. I'm more comfortable with works of charity being the FRUIT of faith rather than an inducement to it, myself.

[paedraggaidin]

Sounds weird to me. Reminds me of the "Accept Christ and get a free PlayStation 2!" userpic I saw once. :P

[vesper_evensong]

Within my own faith this isn't practiced as far as prizes, but the offering of something to eat is often involved either as incentive or not.. it comes across that way and is a culturally accepted thing.

People should come because they desire to, not just to earn prizes. People in the seats who are only there for prizes don't really equal those who are being spiritually enriched, but you never know, there could be someone who comes for the prize and ends up wanting to keep coming.

[starrynight]

Indeed. I'm sure a majority of the people that come in won't stick around. But even if one person stays, it's all worth it.

[chaz_lehmann]

This has become a common tactic in some churches. It's also really stupid. What the people come for is what they will (or will not) stay for.

[starrynight]

Well, I'm sure they money goes right back to the church, but I agree. On the other hand, maybe, just maybe, there will be a few people that will become interested in learning the gospel. That alone may be worth it.

[brother_dour]

Yeah, this tactic kind of makes me raise an eyebrow.