In part 1 of this post, I gave an introduction, exposing the fact that gimmicks are used in the church. For those whom are offended, continue to read. I make no apologies because this is my experience and it happens is churches everywhere. There are so many rituals in the average church worship service, things like: stand up, read this, sit down, stand again, go to three people and say this.
Programs are sponsored by churches to get people in the door, increase the Sunday School attendance and raise money for the new flat screens in the over flow room. There are a host of methods used to get people in the door and weather you like reading about it or not, when you appeal to what attracts people, your no doubt marketing and there is a gimmick to most if not all marketing strategies.
So, how do we raise attendance, interest and participation in Church Activities? Many Churches Resort to using Gimmicks! Whats a gimmick? Lets see what our friend Webster has to say:
artifice (clever or artful skill ), dodge (an artful device to evade, deceive, or trick ) , fetch ( to go or come after and bring or take back), flimflam (deceptive nonsense) , gambit, trick (a : a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud b : a mischievous act : prank c : an indiscreet or childish action d : a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat; especially : one designed to puzzle or amuse), scheme (a plan or program of action; especially : a crafty or secret one ) , shenanigan(a devious trick used especially for an underhand purpose; tricky or questionable practices or conduct —usually used in plural b : high-spirited or mischievous activity —usually used in plural), sleight (deceitful craftiness), stratagem, wile ( a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive; also : a beguiling or playful trick )
The sad thing about all this is, many in the church (but not in Christ) fall for the Gimmicks. Many in the church have allowed the appearance of things spiritual, anointed and holy to trick them into believing that God in moving in a situation or upon someone; no one will Go Against The Grain because they are too afraid to what others will say and they don’t want to appear to go against the pastor. Its far too easy to sit and do nothing. This is why gimmickry, deceit, homosexuality, child molestation, fraud, adultery, flourishes in not just the black church but churches everywhere.
Free Turkey Dinners (But you must listen to a 30 min sermon), $20 -to- $50 dollar prayer lines, come and let the prophet anoint your wallet and purses, That Famous Evangelist & Prophet who really knows how to raise an offering will be here this Thursday, the hottest Christian Hip-Hop rapper will be here Sunday morning, and that newly saved Gangsta Rapper invited to preach to our youth this Sunday; these are just some of the many gimmicks used by churches for the purpose of filling the coffers, increasing attendance and providing some great entertainment for the church folk. This is what happens when churches or places of worship fail to lift up the name of Jesus Christ. How can people be drawn to the foot of the cross, when people are frustrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ with tradition and gimmicks. When you trick or use sleight of hand and words to draw people, you only fill you pews with spiritually dead folk and the only thing that makes them come alive and participate are more gimmicks, bright lights, infamous guest speakers, step teams, dance teams, appreciation programs and other church activities. When someone has the opportunity to preach truth or preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the people thinks it something strange because they never heard this before.
You should know you in the wrong place when the church service appeal to your sense of being entertained, don’t settle for the gimmicks!
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