Third Day Drummer Defends Chevy Sponsorship

But the event is being billed as "A Worship Experience" so, evidently, they are chraging people for the experience of worship.

I like the way he tries to justify it by saying "they obviously don't mind paying for [it]".

I'm sure there were people in the temple who "didn't mind" paying for the sacrificial animals but Jesus was still quite a bit agitated by people profiting from worship.

Like I've said before, if it's just a concert, then they should feel free to charge whatever they want to but if they're going to present it as a worship service, then they shouldn't charge for it.

 

Cindy quoted David Carr:

"We’re certainly not charging people to worship God,

. . . "as long as it's not in front of our stage," he didn't add.

 

Steve Camp. Thumbs up! One of the few people on the CCM scene to have the courage and conviction to take a righteous stand in regard to "Christian music" being operated as a business. He is "thumbs up" in my book, along with Michael Card and Wes King (two others who have taken a strong stand on the issue). If people want to really honor the Lord with their God-given musical abilities, then let them use them in the Church. If they want to be "musical artists," then let them make music well on the secular scene.

Rev. G

 

This week's reading in the Pilgrim's Progress eminently applies to this discussion.

Christian was asked by Mr. By-ends, Mr. Money-love and Mr. Hold-the-world whether commerce and religion should mix.

Christian said,"Even a babe in religion may answer ten thousand such questions..."

His answer will intrigue you. CLICK HERE. Scroll to the third paragraph.

 

David Carr said

I wonder how much the tickets are? A local church could use the same logic and charge people to attend in that it would be enabling us to do mission work on a large scale. There is also a air of hypocrisy in this that irritates me with such statements that I think is having impact on cities and getting the message of Christ to thousands of people. How are cities being transformed? and people paying to hear the message of Christ? I think a Temple cleansing is in order for CCM.

[ November 13, 2002, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Kiffin ]

 

Aaron, Thanks! That is very thought provoking.

 

First, if "our" pastors and church leaders use the strategies of the world to do evangelism / church growth, church leadership, etc., then why are we surprised that church members are using the same sorts of methods?

Second, it should be obvious from the statement above that the issue is not service for the kingdom, but money.

Third, it should also be obvious that David Carr and those on "his side" are trusting in corporate sponsorship to "impact" cities rather than the power of the Holy Spirit using His Gospel.

Rev. G

 

OK so a secular company is funding a tour of worship music and the presentation of the gospel and everyone is a upset?!?! I don't get it, finally an opening in the secualr system and everyone is scared.

 

That's just it, it's not in the "secular" system. It is only being funded by the "secular" system.

 

How many Christian books are sold for a profit to Christians and seekers? Isnt this charging people to hear Gods Word? Profiting from preaching the Word Hmmm.

Christian Youth Alive events in Australia are sponsored by McDonalds. Hundreds of teens accept Jesus Christ as their saviour, and are pastored up by local churches. Plenty of Youth groups eat at Maccas afterwards. Big Deal. If a corporation is going to subsidise events so that more people can go then that is good As long as the core message of Jesus Christ is the central message and the reason the concert is held. Let chevy pay for it.

By the way I drive a Ford Falcon.

 

How many Christian books are sold for a profit to Christians and seekers?

Books aren't being billed as "worship," and if they ever are, I hope that a major author such as John MacArthur comes down hard on the booksellers' industry, too.

[ November 14, 2002, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: Ransom ]

 

To be honest most Christian book stores are for profit businesses and do not claim they are transforming cities by selling a Thompson Chain Referance Bible for $89.95 or that by selling John MacArthur, Bill Graham's books for $19.95 a piece that this will open up opportunites for them to do more evangelism.

I was informed by a non Baptist member of this board (Who cannot post here) that the cost of the tickets are $25 dollars per person so they can be reached for by the Gospel I quess if a person was unconverted and could not afford the ticket, then it's too bad- No Gospel for you! A kinda strange version of hyper Calvinism isn't it that has a Caste system. Okay maybe a little bit of a stretch.

I would have less problems with it if they did not bill themselves as a worship event and quit their holier than thou attitude of how we are reaching people, transforming cities blah, blah, blah...Some well known CCM artists such as Carman (whose theology is way off base however) do not charge but try to get local church sponsors to help sponsor and help the concert and don't charge but simply ask if you can afford to give a donation. Though I am not a fan of Carman, I do appreciate this part of his ministry that is very similar to Steve Camp and Second Chapter of Acts.