Sensational Tactics in the Big City

Carpenter · #1 01-31-2011, 02:46 PM

Here down in the big city we just had this "soul winning" session cum-"revival" and supposedly 170 people were baptized. I understand that the evangelist has been married 3 times before, is of spurious character, and doesn't care if he rubs people the wrong way. He uses the offer of trinkets to bring people to church and yet of the 170 that were advertised, about 20 or so were there Sunday morning. They received baptism certificates and the language written was rather astounding even though it was intuitive...

"Congratulations on taking this very important step of salvation!"

Lotsa things just hit me the wrong way about all of it.

I understand this guy also has made some enemies here...

RandyWayne · #2 01-31-2011, 02:48 PM

Was he also trying to sell photo's to the individuals being baptized? Kind of like what they do at theme parks when you first walk through the gates?

Carpenter · #3 01-31-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Was he also trying to sell photo's to the individuals being baptized? Kind of like what they do at theme parks when you first walk through the gates?

Not to my knowledge but he could have...

pelathais · #4 01-31-2011, 06:24 PM

There's a thought. My own ride was something of a roller coaster over the years. The ups and downs fueled by the alternating exhortations and wails of calamity coming from itinerants and pastors as well. I'm seeing a picture of a bunch of people strapped in and hanging upside down. Thankfully, there is a Rock of stability available.

FWIW and as a disclaimer: My kids were involved in the thing that Carp describes. My daughter says that "over 200 were baptized..." I'm certain that the numbers will be some what flexible. She's really upbeat on what went on, but then again, there are many things that are wisely kept from our children.

Carpenter · #5 01-31-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelathais

There's a thought. My own ride was something of a roller coaster over the years. The ups and downs fueled by the alternating exhortations and wails of calamity coming from itinerants and pastors as well. I'm seeing a picture of a bunch of people strapped in and hanging upside down. Thankfully, there is a Rock of stability available.

FWIW and as a disclaimer: My kids were involved in the thing that Carp describes. My daughter says that "over 200 were baptized..." I'm certain that the numbers will be some what flexible. She's really upbeat on what went on, but then again, there are many things that are wisely kept from our children.

What has me a little conflicted is the question of whether it is acceptable to compromise our dignity and our principals, and our scruples in order for just one person to be "saved" at least from a destructive lifestyle?

MissBrattified · #6 01-31-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelathais

There's a thought. My own ride was something of a roller coaster over the years. The ups and downs fueled by the alternating exhortations and wails of calamity coming from itinerants and pastors as well. I'm seeing a picture of a bunch of people strapped in and hanging upside down. Thankfully, there is a Rock of stability available.

FWIW and as a disclaimer: My kids were involved in the thing that Carp describes. My daughter says that "over 200 were baptized..." I'm certain that the numbers will be some what flexible. She's really upbeat on what went on, but then again, there are many things that are wisely kept from our children.

Excellent point, pel. Some things are better off discovered after one has the maturity to process it without being discouraged.

That said, I'd rather see someone passionately trying to do something good in the world and making mistakes along the way than, well, not doing anything at all. A happy medium would be better, of course.

MissBrattified · #7 01-31-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpenter

What has me a little conflicted is the question of whether it is acceptable to compromise our dignity and our principals, and our scruples in order for just one person to be "saved" at least from a destructive lifestyle?

What specific dignities, scruples and principles are you referring to (as being compromised)?

Dignity doesn't strike me as being all that important in the larger scheme of things; scruples and principles on the other hand....

Apocrypha · #8 01-31-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpenter

Here down in the big city we just had this "soul winning" session cum-"revival" and supposedly 170 people were baptized. I understand that the evangelist has been married 3 times before, is of spurious character, and doesn't care if he rubs people the wrong way. He uses the offer of trinkets to bring people to church and yet of the 170 that were advertised, about 20 or so were there Sunday morning. They received baptism certificates and the language written was rather astounding even though it was intuitive...

"Congratulations on taking this very important step of salvation!"

Lotsa things just hit me the wrong way about all of it.

I understand this guy also has made some enemies here...

This evangelist is a friend of mine. I have been out with him for 4 weekly revivals around Texas. I dont agree 100% with everything he does, but I can settle for the 95% that I agree with since I change my own mind about various things from time to time. I am a one stepper, he is a 3 stepper... but you should really get to know the guy before you attack him on a public forum. Its like reputation rape.

He gave up a great mortgage company he owned, sold his house, and bought a van to go evangelize, his first several years on the evangelistic field were hardly a luxury experience.

As far as I understand he has been married once before he met his current wife. Either way he freely admits he was backslidden from church when he got into drugs and stuff in his teen and early adult years... he doesnt hide it, but he doesnt bring it up in casual conversation either. God radically brought him back to faith in Him. Its clearly spelled out in his book.

I understand your feeling about the "trinkets" as you put it. Theres alot of debate among pastors about it, but if you do it in the right spirit as a "Community Day" where the church gives back to the community you would be suprised at the reaction folks will give you when you hand them a flyer and tell them your church is blessing the community through giving.

If you wanna talk about it (and im not saying this in a spirit of anger) feel free to contact me on Facebook for a chat, ill gladly give you my cellphone #. I am one of the most liberal folks on here, but he is still a brother who is doing SOMETHING to reach out unlike many who just sit around and thumb suck for the kingdom.

Apocrypha · #9 01-31-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Was he also trying to sell photo's to the individuals being baptized? Kind of like what they do at theme parks when you first walk through the gates?

NO

Apocrypha · #10 01-31-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Excellent point, pel. Some things are better off discovered after one has the maturity to process it without being discouraged.

That said, I'd rather see someone passionately trying to do something good in the world and making mistakes along the way than, well, not doing anything at all. A happy medium would be better, of course.

+1