Would you visit this church?

Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
Lighthouse Church of All Nations gives away $1000 in cash prizes fill pews every Sunday


At Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Alsip, the congregation can get more than just prayer at the Sunday worship services.

If a lucky -- or "blessed and highly favored" -- churchgoer is in the right seat, they can also receive a cash prize.

At each of the three Sunday services, the Rev. Dan Willis pulls a number of one seat from a bag and the worshiper in that seat wins a cash prize. Two of the churchgoers win $250 and the third gets $500. The church gives away $1,000 each Sunday, Willis said.

The cash prize is part of Willis' recent focus on helping his congregation pay bills and begin a debt-free life, he said.

"We've had soooo many of our people displaced from jobs, facing foreclosure," he said. "When people's faith was high, their debt was down. When their faith was down, their debt was high. I realized the two are connected."

Willis concedes the cash prize is a gimmick to fill the pews. But he's unapologetic about the plan, because it's working. On a typical Sunday, his church draws about 1,600 people to its three Sunday services. But since the money giveaway started, about five weeks ago, the congregation has grown to about 2,500 each week, he said. The money for the giveaway comes from the church offering. Lighthouse is a non-denominational church.

"If I can get someone in here and teach them and give them money, that's what I'm going to do," he said.

As part of the lessons, Willis set up a shredder near the pulpit to encourage church members to shred their credit cards and commit to stop spending. He talks about budgeting, tackling past-due bills and saving. He encourages the prize winners to use the money to pay down their bills, rather than splurge on new items. One Sunday, he gave away 15 savings accounts with $25 already in them. And he had bank representatives at the service so church members could set up accounts.

"The Bible says even an ant stores up in the summer so it can live in the winter," Willis said. "Even an ant can teach us. Even an ant knows how to save. We, with intellect, don't know how to do it. When people see that in Scripture, it takes on a whole different level."
 
This is a hot mess.I understand that times are hard but this is like baby those who have been laid off and drawing non christians in just for money..ppl may act like they want to get saved just so they can get their fill..this is not of God if anything its mocking him
 
I wouldn't have had much of a problem with this if he chose to hold a separate class on a week night or even on a Saturday afternoon to discuss financial matters...it seems that he has created an atmosphere where people are coming to church just to be entered into the raffle...Jesus said in the Gospel, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me..." It seems that people are not coming to this church for the Gospel, they are merely trying to hit the weekly jackpot...(Plus, I feel that if the Pastor wanted to help out his members, he could have done so without all this "extra" stuff...just slip your member an envelope, if he/she has been laid off...)

...teaching a congregation to learn to save and to stop improper use of credit cards is a good thing...however, this pastor's approach has turned a well-meaning idea to edify his members, into a carnival/bingo hall type event on Sunday morning. What happens to his membership if/when the raffles stop? Will these new members stick around then? I doubt it. People need the Word of God in these uncertain times, not some gimmick.

Nope, I would not visit this church. I am not in agreement with this Pastor's approach; this is not what Sunday worship service means to me.
 
What bothers me is the offering is used to pay off the debts.. and it does sound like a Lottery. :look:

Is it right to Christians to play the Lottery?


I wouldn't have had much of a problem with this if he chose to hold a separate class on a week night or even on a Saturday afternoon to discuss financial matters...it seems that he has created an atmosphere where people are coming to church just to be entered into the raffle...Jesus said in the Gospel, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me..." It seems that people are not coming to this church for the Gospel, they are merely trying to hit the weekly jackpot...(Plus, I feel that if the Pastor wanted to help out his members, he could have done so without all this "extra" stuff...just slip your member an envelope, if he/she has been laid off...)

...teaching a congregation to learn to save and to stop improper use of credit cards is a good thing...however, this pastor's approach has turned a well-meaning idea to edify his members, into a carnival/bingo hall type event on Sunday morning. What happens to his membership if/when the raffles stop? Will these new members stick around then? I doubt it. People need the Word of God in these uncertain times, not some gimmick.

Nope, I would not visit this church. I am not in agreement with this Pastor's approach; this is not what Sunday worship service means to me.
 
It sounds like something my momma used to say 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.' I know she didn't make it up but it fits in this situation.:rolleyes:
 
To your question, I am personally not into the lottery...I see it as a waste of money...

But, using the offering to help people in need...I would not have had any problem with that, except for the fact that, as we all agree, and he (the pastor) admits in the article; he set up this "carnival atmosphere" as a gimmick to draw people into the church to get the money for these "drawings" in the first place. Therefore, as stated, the people coming to the church are coming for the drawings, not for the Word of God.

In my earlier post, I might not have been clear enough in clarifying the two seperate issues that I see happening here: 1. Pastor's desire for financial literacy of the congregants (This is the part that I would have hoped he would have just held separate classes to address); 2. Bingo Hall on Sunday morning (or anytime for that matter, but on a Sunday morning--:nono: That's a big no, no.

I understand a pastor's heart wanting to help his congregation in a time of need, however, something has gone terribly wrong in his thinking. I pray he and his congregation come out of this, and soon.

What bothers me is the offering is used to pay off the debts.. and it does sound like a Lottery. :look:

Is it right to Christians to play the Lottery?
 
That lottery question is really a whole other thread, I suppose... :laugh:

I did see your point on the two issues. :yep: He did admit to it being a gimmick, if I'm not mistaken; So he's unashamed of his approach - that may be where the danger lies? Perhaps using similar strategy within the church body (for members) for financial literacy would be more beneficial, rather than drawing a crowd outside of the church. ITA, as people will get the wrong idea.


I also agree that it's 'good intentions' that gets folks in trouble. :yep:


To your question, I am personally not into the lottery...I see it as a waste of money...

But, using the offering to help people in need...I would not have had any problem with that, except for the fact that, as we all agree, and he (the pastor) admits in the article; he set up this "carnival atmosphere" as a gimmick to draw people into the church to get the money for these "drawings" in the first place. Therefore, as stated, the people coming to the church are coming for the drawings, not for the Word of God.

In my earlier post, I might not have been clear enough in clarifying the two seperate issues that I see happening here: 1. Pastor's desire for financial literacy of the congregants (This is the part that I would have hoped he would have just held separate classes to address); 2. Bingo Hall on Sunday morning (or anytime for that matter, but on a Sunday morning--:nono: That's a big no, no.


:yep: @the bolded.

I understand a pastor's heart wanting to help his congregation in a time of need, however, something has gone terribly wrong in his thinking. I pray he and his congregation come out of this, and soon.
 
That lottery question is really a whole other thread, I suppose... :laugh:
- oooooh yeah, that would be a whole 'nuther thread indeed Sis...my, my my...

"So he's unashamed of his approach - that may be where the danger lies?" - I definitely think this is where the danger lies in this, because as you state here, he is totally unashamed of this...it would appear in the article that he is even boasting about this gimmick...so, so dangerous, and so sad, really...people don't realize the compromise and deception in something that seems (to them) to be so harmless. There is no amount of money on this planet that is worth being cut off from the Lord...and He (the Lord) is no where in this madness.

I also agree that it's 'good intentions' that gets folks in trouble. :yep: - When I read this statement, I was reminded of the scripture in Revelation, "you ran the race well, but who has bewitched you..." Well meaning, good intentioned folks get tripped up...which is why we must pray and stay humble before the Lord in everything that we do.

Blessing to you.:yep:

That lottery question is really a whole other thread, I suppose... :laugh:


I did see your point on the two issues. :yep: He did admit to it being a gimmick, if I'm not mistaken; So he's unashamed of his approach - that may be where the danger lies? Perhaps using similar strategy within the church body (for members) for financial literacy would be more beneficial, rather than drawing a crowd outside of the church. ITA, as people will get the wrong idea.


I also agree that it's 'good intentions' that gets folks in trouble. :yep:





:yep: @the bolded.
 
ITA.. but to be more clear with my comment on intentions...I think that 'road to hell is paved with good intentions' saying has more to do with people believing that just their good deeds will get them to heaven. But that, too, is another thread.. lol

Sometimes, people will misinterpret our good intentions... that's more along the lines of what I meant. But, Amen, just the same... :yep:



That lottery question is really a whole other thread, I suppose... :laugh:
- oooooh yeah, that would be a whole 'nuther thread indeed Sis...my, my my...

"So he's unashamed of his approach - that may be where the danger lies?" - I definitely think this is where the danger lies in this, because as you state here, he is totally unashamed of this...it would appear in the article that he is even boasting about this gimmick...so, so dangerous, and so sad, really...people don't realize the compromise and deception in something that seems (to them) to be so harmless. There is no amount of money on this planet that is worth being cut off from the Lord...and He (the Lord) is no where in this madness.

I also agree that it's 'good intentions' that gets folks in trouble. :yep: - When I read this statement, I was reminded of the scripture in Revelation, "you ran the race well, but who has bewitched you..." Well meaning, good intentioned folks get tripped up...which is why we must pray and stay humble before the Lord in everything that we do.

Blessing to you.:yep:
 
I see that he said it was a gimmick, but once he got them in the pews, he didn't preach the gospel, he said what Suze Orman or some other secular financial teacher might say. If it's a gimmick, you're supposed to reel them in with one thing, and then give them the substance once they're there. But this pastor isn't doing that. I mean, yes, it is wisdom and it is Proverbial, but it still doesn't seem like the church is filling the pews in order to present people with the Gospel. They just give them some sound financial principles and send them on their way. I don't want to insult the church, but what's the difference between that and what a local credit union could have done?
 
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