‘Cash for Congregants’: NJ Church Gives ‘Spiritual Stimulus Package’ to its Members
- Posted on September 26, 2011 at 9:32pm by
Billy Hallowell
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New Jersey pastor Tim Lucas and his fellow Christian church leaders are taking the concept of “economic stimulus” to intriguing, new levels. Rather than holding on to the typical, weekly collection (churches usually take donations from congregants each week), the Liquid Church did something unprecedented — it handed money out to its members. CNN has more:
The church, which says it takes in $30,000 each week from its 2,000 members, chose to distribute that same amount on Sunday. To accomplish this goal, $10, $20 and $50 bills were put in envelopes and distributed to the congregation. CNN has more on the goal behind this initiative:
The goal, said Lucas, is for people to invest or use the money to help others, including those struggling to recover from recent massive flooding in New Jersey. He said he hopes others will invest their funds, nurture the investment for growth, and then donate the proceeds to the church to rebuild a homeless shelter.
While Lucas explains that the church isn’t wealthy, this project, he says, shows the power of good deeds. According to Daily Mail, he said:
“We’re hoping this fosters an outbreak of generosity, that people creatively invest the money in good works to make themselves and their community better.
We believe the economic crisis is a spiritual issue, which is why we are moving forward with God’s recovery plan.”
Executive Pastor Dave Brooks explained further, saying, ”A lot of people are really suffering financially these days and looking for the government for a way out. We feel God can provide help for people.” He continued:
“We encourage people to work from the standpoint of generosity. Many people say ‘In God we trust.’ If you turn that around, God trusts you. We give money that God entrusted to us.”
The nondenominational house of worship based in Morristown, New Jersey-based, is already a bit more unconventional than most churches. Rather than owning its own building, the church convenes at two hotels and a middle school each week.
It will be interesting to see how the community benefits from this very pointed use of micro funding.
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sundance_sp
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 9:41pmThis concept is absolutely awsome, on many levels!!! After reading the story, I am sure most, like myself, were left with certain “emotions” of wondering what they would do in a similar situation…. There is no doubt in my mind that there were many of those in the congregation who saw the money in there hands thinking, “oh my goodness…. wow…. God works in mysterious ways, and were able to pay a utility bill that was about to turned off the next week… or better yet, a neighbor who couldn’t afford to even put food on the table for their children. Yet, I have no doubt there are some “freaks” out there that would think this is nothing more than redistribution of wealth…. so what(I am sure he’s not a Communist)? Bottom line is, this pastor, had a very unique and novel way of getting his congregation to focus on taking care of those who are the most needy near to them. Ok, no money next week… I am certain… that would just be foolish, but, it could get his congregation to focus on those closest to them…. their neighbors. I hope this isn’t just a “shot in the dark” reasoning…. to me, this story reminds me that not only do I need to give more to my church…. but I need to focus on those closest to me, my neighbors and what I can do to help them in their “hour of need”. For what it’s worth….
Report Post »Ron Staiger
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:08amI’m ready to convert! Where’s this church?
Report Post »crosbycat
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 10:34pmThis is just an old gimmick to get publicity. My ex-church did it back in 2003 in the Rick Warren “Purpose Driven Life” heyday, giving out $10 to each family in an envelope with suggestions on how to use it. One was to buy Warren’s PDL book and give it away, and it just happened to be when the church was ramping up for a 40 Days event and was selling PDL books for $10.
Report Post »Spider64
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 6:44pmWouldn’t it be easier to teach about tithing. Sowing and reaping. I trust Jesus Christ with my eternal soul. So I believe I can trust him for the light bill or, the house payment. Since he knows I have need of these things. But hey I sure the Buffet bars were humming after service.
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 5:52pmThis is the infiltration of socialism into the church as social justice! If you’re in one of these churches—RUN FOR YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE!–Get out and find a chruch and pastor who are guided by scripture without the convenient skewed interpretation!
Report Post »Injunator
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 4:37pm1 PETER 4:17 “For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
. . . THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SAVIOR WILL BE SWIFT AND JUST IN HIS JUDGEMENT . . . OF UNDESERVED PEACE AND KINDNESS-
ROMANS 10:3 “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Report Post »hamptonsurfer
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:02pmin my opinion, churches need to stop thinking about stimulating the congregation…it has historically gotten them into a large amount of trouble.
Report Post »PurrrpleMtnMajesty
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:30pmDidin’t the Church of Oprah start this years ago?
Report Post »swsb6x
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 10:35amAnother modern day pagan church gimmick to get more attention and a bigger “congregation” (more money for the pastor). How about this, get rid of the paid pastors (elders) and staff, the buildings and land and give the $30,000 a week to the needy within and without the body. That’s how the early church operated and I don’t see any reason why that model should have changed in the first place. Read “Pagan Christianity” and “The Pastor Has No Clothes”, oh, and also the scriptures for more detail.
Report Post »curmudgeon60
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:02amMatthew 6:3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 6:10amInteresting concept and another triumph for the marketplace of ideas.
Report Post »Any_One_But_Obama
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 3:10amWHO DO YOU THINK IS THE ANTI-CHRIST… EVER WANTED TO TELL THEM…
This guy did, this is why he stood up in Obama‘s townhall meeting and started to yell at him that he was the ’anti-christ’. MUST SEE: http://www.americanparchment.com/video/2011/sep/obama_heckler_antichrist.html
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:58amWhy don’t you post this on the story? Or are you going to talk about a church giving out money on that one?
Report Post »rpp
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:10amSounds like classic Christianity from the first through fourth centuries to me, except for “nondenominational” part; they were all Catholic then.
Report Post »rev44
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 3:57amHaving researched church history for more than a decade I would have to disagree with your statement that all Christians in the early centuries were “Catholic” as you understand the term today. In reality the word catholic simply had reference to the fact that the church of Jesus Christ was spread out worldwide. Even as late as the late fourth century the word catholic still carried this connotation, for Optatus wrote:
“Where then will the name catholic have its proper application, when the reason for calling it catholic is its international and universal diffusion?” (Against the Dontatists, Bk. II)
As more and more doctrinal controversies in those early centuries arose, one particular branch of churches began to equate catholicity with orthodoxy in an attempt at distinguishing themselves from those they deemed heretical, such as the Novatians, Donatists, Arians, Pelagians, et al. Consequently, this was when the denominational character of catholicism began to form, and it’s not a very pretty sight from that point on. It’s where that great evil of church and state was first thrust upon the world.
So no, they weren’t all Catholic back then. They were Christians back then, and they allowed for some differences between each other’s respective churches but not to the extent that it would violate the Rule of Faith.
As for this non-denominational church in the story, it sounds to me like they were just looking for some cheap publicity. Sorry, but I’ve seen it
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:48amThanks REV44, you saved me a bunch of typing!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:56amGood, fact-filled post, rev44.
Report Post »Walter P
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:46pmThis is the way charity and caring for people is supposed to happen. At the local level with churches caring for their congregations and people caring for their neighbors.
Report Post »I just hope the IRS doesn’t try to tax the money received.
smme1950
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:51pmI agree, the church should be doing more to help. Things got screwed up when we let the government become the source. There is only one source and that is Jesus Christ.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:13pmThis is very nice.
But its just another scam.
Capitalism (social darwinism) is ugly without caring folks to redistribute money, food and “well-being” to those who would just die otherwise.
The “Just City” comes to mind….
How do we care for our fellow human beings?
I don’t even pretend to know the answer.
ALl i know is it doesn’t include killing.
Report Post »where is JG
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:45pmyes you and your redistributive people are the UGLY cancer that is rotting this great nation.
Report Post »Gof=effYOUrSELFdbag
Gonzo
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:51amIn your mind the Federal government is “caring folks”? What deserted island have you been living on? Were the Skipper and Gilligan there too?
Report Post »chips1
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:05pmSave your home? I thought God was talking about your soul. Oh Yeah! I forgot it was the NWO.
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