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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3\u00a0<\/b>page.]<\/span><\/p>\n For several years some have been imitating the denominations in such things as parking lot sales and car washes to fund their programs. A growing number of congregations have become deeply involved in providing entertainment as bait to get people into their buildings. The end justifies the means to these folk.<\/span><\/p>\n Two items came to my attention some time ago that seem wild, even for brethren who have lost their way. The first incident was described in a bulletin of the church in Pleasanton, Texas. The back page carried the headline, \u201cNew Zealand News,\u201d reporting on a work this church apparently supports in that nation. \u201cSuper Saturday!\u201d is the title of the main article, describing a \u201ccarnival\u201d conducted by the NZ congregation.<\/span><\/p>\n A picture showed some children earning \u201cBible bucks\u201d by answering questions. They could then spend their sanctified money at the church-provided \u201ccarnival.\u201d Another picture showed a young man being doused with a bucket of water in the \u201cSoak the Pharaoh\u201d booth. This was apparently one of the booths in the \u201ccarnival\u201d on which children could spend some of those hard earned \u201cBible bucks.\u201d Barely mentioned in the article is the fact that this \u201ccarnival\u201d was actually a one-day \u201cvacation Bible school.\u201d There might have been some \u201cvacation\u201d for the children this party attracted, but I doubt that there was much \u201cBible\u201d or \u201cschool\u201d for them.<\/span><\/p>\n Schools, businesses, and cities sponsor carnivals, and it is appropriate for such organizations to do so. I would have no objection to one or more brethren conducting what they might call a \u201ccarnival\u201d on private property and for their own recreation and that of others (assuming all the activities were otherwise blameless). However, I cannot see any possible justification for a congregation\u2019s<\/strong> sponsorship of such, even if it is called a \u201cvacation Bible school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The second item also relates to a \u201cvacation Bible school.\u201d The Southwest Central Church of Christ in Houston, Texas, has long been known for its \u201canything goes\u201d approach to religion. Their elaborate twenty-page booklet describing a VBS for children, but with every sort of \u201cseminar\u201d imaginable for adults going on at the same time, certainly does nothing to dispel that reputation. This event offered classes on \u201cHerb Gardening,\u201d \u201cHow to Document Family Stories,\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s Changed in Your Insurance,\u201d \u201cPreparing for a Court Appearance,\u201d \u201cDispute Resolution Without Litigation,\u201d \u201cSign Language,\u201d and even \u201cBasic Auto Upkeep.\u201d The one that really caught my eye, however, was \u201cHow to Soar with Eagles Instead of Scratching Dirt with the Chickens\u201d (I certainly want to avoid dirt scratching, even if it itches).<\/span><\/p>\n Lest I leave a false impression, there were a few semi-religious \u201cseminars\u201d offered as well (e.g., \u201cThe Alzheimer\u2019s Predicament,\u201d \u201cLearning to Rule Feelings,\u201d \u201cWhen We Can\u2019t Take Care of Ourselves,\u201d et al.). All of this went on Monday through Friday, but Saturday was \u201cFun Day!\u201d featuring (all free) a \u201cGiant Slide, Moon Walk, Obstacle Course, Sumo Wrestlers, and Food.\u201d (I really hate that I missed the Sumo wrestlers.) For those unfamiliar with the term Social Gospel<\/em>, you have just read a description of it.\u00a0 \u00a0To their credit, the booklet invited people to attend their worship on the Sunday following, which featured at the evening hour the \u201cShady Acres Chorus\u201d: \u201cCome to hear this group sing and be prepared for a high-energy evening of worship and devotion.\u201d No further comment needed for those who love the Truth.<\/span><\/p>\n [Note: <\/strong>I wrote this MS, and it originally appeared in the August 2002 issue of The Gospel Journal, <\/em>a 36-page monthly of which I was editor at the time.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 1[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3\u00a0page.] For several years some have been imitating the denominations in such things as parking lot sales and car washes to fund their programs. A growing number of congregations have become deeply…<\/p>\n