Church isn't a place to go in order to win prizes

[billiefan2000]

Church isn't a place to go in order to win prizes | The Marion Star | marionstar.com


Church isn't a place to go in order to win prizes
Dec. 18, 2011 | Comments


I was just informed by a catchy mailer from a local church that the "Obvious Reason" for going to services at their church on Christmas Eve as a new worshipper, was so I could win one of 18 prizes, including a 50-inch big screen TV, iPod, iPad or many other electronic goodies, and even a trip to a couple of different locations.


This was the first of three "reasons" listed to go to this church and given the looks of the advertisement, the main one.

Since when did Christmas become about gifts and bribing people to come to your church? The equally troubling question is, why is a church bribing people with gifts to try to lure people into their doors?


The last time I checked, going to church was about worshipping Christ and being with other fellow believers, not trying to be one out of 18 people to win a big screen TV or Ipad.



Being raised in Marion, I was brought up in a strongly Christian home and have been taught strong morals and values by my amazing family.


I am extremely disappointed that this church, as well as others, I have seen in other cities, have stooped down to the sad level of modern and materialism, and are unable to find better and more faith-driven ways to get people in their doors.

I am equally disappointed this church, which claims it didn't use offering money, has apparently accepted these giveaways as a "donation" from a private source.


This leads me to the realization (rather quickly, I might add), that whoever donated these items was merely using them as a pretty nice tax write-off. What is wrong with people these days? There are much better ways to earn a tax write-off and spend time than this charade.

I can think of many organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, Salvation Army, food pantries, The Ohio Wildlife Center, homeless shelters, etc., that could use monetary donations, as well as volunteer hours.


All of you could also simply be kind, decent and helpful people in society and give your time, money, food or other needed items to these places instead of being worried about padding your taxes.


There are people who won't get a warm meal or home to live in this Christmas, let alone gifts or anything else.

Christmas starts earlier and earlier every year, and this year I saw a few stores that had Christmas decorations out before Halloween.



Corporate America is taking over many of our holidays,

and I was hoping that my place of worship could have been one of the few places that I was safe from the blare of advertisements, materialistic ideas, and the idea that gifts are the focal point of Christmas.




I, for one, am keeping and putting Christ at the center of my Christmas worship. While I am not usually one to boycott or discourage a person from going somewhere, much less a place of worship, I will be going to my grandmother's church instead of my own to worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas.


Christmas isn't about gifts, getting the perfect card or great sales at the mall. Even though giving and receiving gifts is fun, along with all of the carols, lights and many other exciting things that go on this time of the year, Christmas is about Christ's miraculous birth.

Christ is the reason for the season. Without him, we wouldn't even be celebrating this wonderful holiday with our friends and loved ones. I encourage you to choose the right reason and place for worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Mandi Himler


Church isn't a place to go in order to win prizes | The Marion Star | marionstar.com

[Bobbi]

Church isn't a place to go in order to win prizes | The Marion Star | marionstar.com


Church isn't a place to go in order to win prizes
Dec. 18, 2011 | Comments


I was just informed by a catchy mailer from a local church that the "Obvious Reason" for going to services at their church on Christmas Eve as a new worshipper, was so I could win one of 18 prizes, including a 50-inch big screen TV, iPod, iPad or many other electronic goodies, and even a trip to a couple of different locations.


This was the first of three "reasons" listed to go to this church and given the looks of the advertisement, the main one.

Since when did Christmas become about gifts and bribing people to come to your church? The equally troubling question is, why is a church bribing people with gifts to try to lure people into their doors?


The last time I checked, going to church was about worshipping Christ and being with other fellow believers, not trying to be one out of 18 people to win a big screen TV or Ipad.



Being raised in Marion, I was brought up in a strongly Christian home and have been taught strong morals and values by my amazing family.


I am extremely disappointed that this church, as well as others, I have seen in other cities, have stooped down to the sad level of modern and materialism, and are unable to find better and more faith-driven ways to get people in their doors.

I am equally disappointed this church, which claims it didn't use offering money, has apparently accepted these giveaways as a "donation" from a private source.


This leads me to the realization (rather quickly, I might add), that whoever donated these items was merely using them as a pretty nice tax write-off. What is wrong with people these days? There are much better ways to earn a tax write-off and spend time than this charade.

I can think of many organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, Salvation Army, food pantries, The Ohio Wildlife Center, homeless shelters, etc., that could use monetary donations, as well as volunteer hours.


All of you could also simply be kind, decent and helpful people in society and give your time, money, food or other needed items to these places instead of being worried about padding your taxes.


There are people who won't get a warm meal or home to live in this Christmas, let alone gifts or anything else.

Christmas starts earlier and earlier every year, and this year I saw a few stores that had Christmas decorations out before Halloween.



Corporate America is taking over many of our holidays,

and I was hoping that my place of worship could have been one of the few places that I was safe from the blare of advertisements, materialistic ideas, and the idea that gifts are the focal point of Christmas.




I, for one, am keeping and putting Christ at the center of my Christmas worship. While I am not usually one to boycott or discourage a person from going somewhere, much less a place of worship, I will be going to my grandmother's church instead of my own to worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas.


Christmas isn't about gifts, getting the perfect card or great sales at the mall. Even though giving and receiving gifts is fun, along with all of the carols, lights and many other exciting things that go on this time of the year, Christmas is about Christ's miraculous birth.

Christ is the reason for the season. Without him, we wouldn't even be celebrating this wonderful holiday with our friends and loved ones. I encourage you to choose the right reason and place for worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Mandi Himler


Church isn't a place to go in order to win prizes | The Marion Star | marionstar.com

I can understand your feelings concerning what you have written, but why in the world would you even ever consider giving anything to planned parenthood or asking other fellow believers to do so?

[billiefan2000]

I can understand your feelings concerning what you have written, but why in the world would you even ever consider giving anything to planned parenthood or asking other fellow believers to do so?

that was my only beef with article. I am by no means a PP supporter. I am pro-life


I didnt write the article.


Mandi Himler wrote it and I just reported on the story cause she made some good points and 1 bad point (her support for PP)

and she is right on the seeker madness taking over our churches

[mattfivefour]

Any assembly that believes it is gaining or producing anything worthwhile by attempting to lure people to church by the offer of prizes such as a 50-inch flat-screen TV is deluding itself, and dismissing the power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit. Any assembly and/or "pastor" who winds up resorting to such tactics is one which is completely and utterly spiritually bankrupt.

And I say that as a plain statement based on the truth of Scripture, not as a means of condemning them. Rather, I pray for this church that they may recover their sight and their first love. God is waiting for them to humble themselves and turn back to Him. He will bless and expand them should they do so.

[BobFin]

To me, they are relying on their thinking of how to get people to attend their church instead of relying on God's way. I have a strong feeling (which can be wrong) that they aren't praying about building their congregation, but putting the "cart before the horse" and trying to get people in and then saying, "God, we got them here, now do Your work". This is what happens when we rely on ourselves instead of God.

[ANY MINUTE]

Seems to fit right in with the whole "Church Growth" movement.

At my former church, beyond using such tactics to bring the world in, they would also have many auctions and raffles. The very "alter" that the pastor would call people forward to, may very well have been used on sat. night for all kinds of worldly things, including raffling off *guns* or what I would consider very questionable books( r.warren, k. shook).

* nothing against weapons, I hunt and own many myself.

Just opposed to such worldly things taking place inside the "visible church" to lure people in. Thanks for the article billiefan.