Ticket number...233...233...you've won a new iPod!

Taken from the "Westview".
www.westviewonline.com

It was a banner day for the new UpRising Church this past Sunday. The church launched with two identical services at 8 and 10 a.m., and featured exciting, contemporary worship by UpRising's Matthew Daniel and special guest Jeff Deyo, former lead singer of SonicFlood.
Senior Pastor Joe Case said, "We were really blown away by the turnout, with 301 in attendance, and even an overflow in our 10 a.m. service. We've had an incredible response from the attenders, and fully expect another great day this coming Sunday!

"UpRising Church is currently in a message series entitled, "Retro: Back to the Basics". Juggling life’s priorities can easily become complicated and complex. But the solutions people look for often cause them to spin even further out of control. In this series, Pastor Joe shows how God’s answers to life’s complexities are often simpler than first thought—it’s all about getting back to the basics.

UpRising Church also did something out of the ordinary - giving away door prizes, as a celebration of their launch. Winners in both services walked out with LCD TV's, gas grills, iPod Shuffles, Starbucks gift baskets and more. They plan to continue drawing for a door prize each Sunday.
" We're doing things differently, but without compromising God's Word," Pastor Joe admitted. "We want people to come to church to have fun and be blessed!"

What can I say?! Has it really come to this? I've met this pastor and he seems like a good and sincere man...but giving away door prizes at a church service?

I wonder what would have happened if he had marketed his first service; "Retro: Back to the Basics - Being Crucified with Christ". With an extra line that read..."You own nothing, so bring all that you have and it will be distributed to those in need."