Friday, 04 December 2009

• Skip the Lottery: Go to This Church!

  The economic crisis has put the financial health of many people, businesses and organizations in jeopardy. While many tighten their belts, lay off employees or stage fundraisers to stay in business, one church in Illinois is doing something unthinkable: giving away money.

  According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, the Rev. Dan Willis of the Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Alsip, Illinois, is giving away $1000 every Sunday service as part of his “focus on helping his congregation pay bills and begin a debt-free life.” He doesn't stop there; a shredder was installed in the church where members can shred their credit cards. The article continues:

  He talks about budgeting, tackling past-due bills and saving. He encourages the prize winners to use the money to pay down their bills, rather than splurge on new items. One Sunday, he gave away 15 savings accounts with $25 already in them. And he had bank representatives at the service so church members could set up accounts.
  

  Willis was inspired to focus on debt and finances when he realized people's faith is high when their debt is low. Helping his congregation lower their debt will, by his logic, increase their faith, and as a pastor, it is his priority to increase the faith of his church.

  The connection between debt and faith is not the only connection that can be made in this situation, though. The free money giveaways are also connected to an increase in attendance of about 1,000 people since the giveaways began. This is no surprise to Willis, who, according to the article, “concedes the cash prize is a gimmick to fill the pews. But he’s unapologetic about the plan, because it’s working.”

  Trying to better the lives of his congregation is an honorable and respectable thing for a pastor to do, but giving away money as a gimmick to fill emptying seats – and conceding that this is so – might be somewhat concerning. Motivations can sometimes be just as important as results, and motivations can be the difference between a display of generosity and a simple gimmick.

  Regardless of the intentions, the congregation is receiving a vital message, one that many people need to hear during this time of financial struggle: get out of debt, spend wisely, and give to others.

  Do you think the giveaway amounts to a gimmick or is a display of generosity? Can it be both? Do you think the people who are showing up will stay even after the giveaway is over?

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