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The
antics of liberal brethren are seemingly without limitation, and now
that the newness has worn off they have to be rather startling to
even get billing in conservative papers. But ACTION came through
again. Many brethren have told me about the May-June issue article
on “Bus Ministry” which grew and grew, as some church gave the
riders soft-drinks, cupcakes, and finally (for the all-time high) a
pre-Halloween Party. “By sheer determination” they had averaged
21 pickups-- until they gave the drinks (31), then the cup-cakes
(41, 54), and the party drew 74.
The
part that caught my attention was the writer’s attempt to justify
these antics as “reward motivation” for which he cited such
scriptures as 1 Cor. 9:25, 2 Tim. 4:8, etc. Can you imagine the “incorruptible”
crown of eternal life in heaven being cited as justification for
cup-cakes on earth? And to think that all of this started with
letting a non-member have a sip from our water-cooler. Just how
ridiculous can we get?
I
don’t know, but I will test it. In the name of good business
sense, and economy of both time and money (we must not waste the
Lord’s money) why do not these brethren just cut through
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the red
tape and PAY folk to attend their services? (I mean good luke-warm
inflated cash!)
Think
of the messy bus, spilled cokes, ruined clothes, and frayed nerves
it would avoid. The time spent making those cup-cakes could be used
at another Book Review. With a bit of ingenuity, a magnetic I.D.
card could be issued to each rider —later to each church member
—so that one has but to insert the card in a machine at the
entrance to the bus or church building and the account is properly
credited. The treasurer could then make but one check per quarter,
preferably at the time a drive is being made for more money, and the
church would stand a good chance of getting their money returned. A
fringe benefit would be the automatic count of all those in
attendance.
Scripture?
Why, of course. It is the “reward motivation” taught in 1 Cor.
9:25 and 2 Tim. 4:8. Keep them over in the epistles so they wont run
across John 6:26-27 —Jesus’ reprimand of those who sought only
“loaves:. and fishes.”
How
long, how long brethren??
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