Use of Pot Lucks to Increase Attendance

[saturneptune]

Why do we use church pot lucks to promote increased attendance, when we know full well, when the meal is gone, so are those people? If God has not prepared the newcomers to hear the Word, does somehow a meal that promotes gluttony going to do the job?

What goes through the mind of the visitors when they hear a sermon about worldly desires vs spiritual values, then turn right around five minutes later and promote a worldly practice by stuffing our already fat guts with two or three plates of food and giving a wink and a nod about it?

What do visitors think when they see pastors and deacons, Christian leaders, that look like a parade of beach balls or the planet Jupiter? If that is the temple of the Holy Spirit, He certainly has plenty of room to live in.

 

[SaggyWoman]

I saw a church advertised this morning on TV that stated they had an elevated cross with over a thousand lights on it..... really? I would rather go to pot luck.

 

[michael-acts17:11]

Too often, when the pastor announces an upcoming potluck, it's an exercise in boasting in his sin of gluttony & encouraging the people of God to follow him in his sin. What does the Word say about those whose god is their belly?

 

[TC]

My what broad brushes we paint with. This thread almost sounds like gossip.

 

[JonC]

It actually amazes me that some use pot-lucks to increase attendance. I have never heard of that. Growing up we had pot-lucks but as a time of fellowship - I don't think it ever increased attendance which was fine as that wasn't its purpose. I know my mother would have much rather gone out to eat if it were not for the fellowship.

 

[go2church]

Pot lucks increase attendance? Okay

 

[TC]

I have never heard of a church using a pot luck for anything but fellowship. Hence, my comment a about the thread sounding like gossip.

 

[just-want-peace]

I have never heard of a church using a pot luck for anything but fellowship. Hence, my comment a about the thread sounding like gossip.

My sentiments as well. 'Course with some seeming to try to "entertain" to increase attendance, I don't suppose pot lucks are immune from misuse as well.

 

[Revmitchell]

Too often, when the pastor announces an upcoming potluck, it's an exercise in boasting in his sin of gluttony & encouraging the people of God to follow him in his sin. What does the Word say about those whose god is their belly?

Why is it liberals pet peeve is gluttony?

Anyway this post has to top some of the dumbest posts on this board.

 

[Reformed]

John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled."

If the purpose of having a pot luck or community dinner (like the A.B.A. Baptist church across the street from us) is to attract people it will certainly work. They will come for the loaves and fishes. If the purpose is to provide food to the hungry in the immediate area there are more effective ways to do that.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Why do we use church pot lucks to promote increased attendance, when we know full well, when the meal is gone, so are those people?

I didn't know "we" did this. How come I've been missing out on the meals?

 

[Reformed]

I have never heard of a church using a pot luck for anything but fellowship. Hence, my comment a about the thread sounding like gossip.

There is an A.B.A. Baptist Church across the street from us that has a weekly community meal each Friday. It is used to bring in the unchurched. Here is their calendar: Arundel Baptist Church. Check out their Friday schedule.

 

[Gina B]

Why would it increase attendance when we have to cook? Maybe we come less because we don't want to cook. Think before you post. :tongue3:

 

[John of Japan]

Why is it liberals pet peeve is gluttony?

Anyway this post has to top some of the dumbest posts on this board.

Yup, in spite of the fact that glutton/gluttony is only mentioned twice in the entire Bible, but feasting (i. e., potlucks) is mentioned positively many times in Scripture.

Gluttony is a lifestyle, feasting is a good meal. Therefore, simply eating a lot at a pot-luck is definitely not gluttony. And being "overweight" by 2013 American artificial standards is not a sign of gluttony.

 

[saturneptune]

Why would it increase attendance when we have to cook? Maybe we come less because we don't want to cook. Think before you post. :tongue3:

The people that come do not have to cook. All they have to do is eat and leave.

 

[saturneptune]

I didn't know "we" did this. How come I've been missing out on the meals?

We is a generic term. As far as why you miss out on meals, I have no idea. Are you fasting in advance for lent next year?

 

[saturneptune]

Gluttony is not a pet peeve of liberals. It is a sin of over indulgence. Not that it is any better or worse than other sins, except it is an abuse of the body that God gave us. I am as conservative politically as they come, and it irritates the fire out of me.

To see a 300 pound pastor waddle over to the pot luck table for a third time patting his frog belly and grinning makes one want to throw up.

So what is the deal, does everyone leading a church wish to look like Rush Limbaugh or Chris Christy?

The Postal Service is going to stop giving out addresses to pastors and start assigning zip codes. Some of you are so heavy you cannot sing "Love Lifted Me," as nothing could lift you.

 

[Revmitchell]

I have never seen it used as a means to increase attendance. But I would not put it past some churches. I have heard some churches say that they have noticed an increase in attendance on pot luck Sundays. But that was not the reason for having them.

Usually they are just for fellowship of the church body.

 

[Berean]

Why do we use church pot lucks to promote increased attendance, when we know full well, when the meal is gone, so are those people? If God has not prepared the newcomers to hear the Word, does somehow a meal that promotes gluttony going to do the job?

What goes through the mind of the visitors when they hear a sermon about worldly desires vs spiritual values, then turn right around five minutes later and promote a worldly practice by stuffing our already fat guts with two or three plates of food and giving a wink and a nod about it?

What do visitors think when they see pastors and deacons, Christian leaders, that look like a parade of beach balls or the planet Jupiter? If that is the temple of the Holy Spirit, He certainly has plenty of room to live in.

I thought the "Pot Lucks" originated in Acts 2.

 

[TC]

Gluttony is not a pet peeve of liberals. It is a sin of over indulgence. Not that it is any better or worse than other sins, except it is an abuse of the body that God gave us. I am as conservative politically as they come, and it irritates the fire out of me.

To see a 300 pound pastor waddle over to the pot luck table for a third time patting his frog belly and grinning makes one want to throw up.

So what is the deal, does everyone leading a church wish to look like Rush Limbaugh or Chris Christy?

The Postal Service is going to stop giving out addresses to pastors and start assigning zip codes. Some of you are so heavy you cannot sing "Love Lifted Me," as nothing could lift you.

Still broad brushing I see. How is this not gossip? It sure looks like it to me.