Seeking a Homeland for here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come

Bay Area Fellowship is a a mega-church in Corpus Christi lead by Bill Cornelius.  This Easter they are planning a "Ultimate Giveaway" in which they will be giving over 1 million dollars worth of prizes.  This decision as you might suspect has caused quite a stir both from outside of the church (see the Corpus Christi Caller Times article on it here) and inside the church. Normally I try to stay out of stuff like this, but on this I cannot remain silent - Bay Area Fellowship has gone too far (not that this blog is going to change anything - but it makes me feel better). Below is a comment I left on BAF's blog - here is the blog post and my comment (I doubt it will make it onto the web page):

Responding to Criticism

March 30, 2010 - 8:41pm — bafadmin

MY COMMENT

Dear Bil Cornelius,

Have you ever read the following passage?
“In the temple he (Jesus) found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.””(John 2:14–17 ESV)

Since when did the church become a car-dealership offering promotional deals to potential buyers? Is the Gospel that ugly to you that you have to trick unbelievers into buying into it? The Messiah was not a used car-salesmen the Wisdom of God told people that they had to come and die to attain eternal life you tell them you can have a free car, just like they can have free eternal life.  Are we reading the same bible?  Eternal life is not free, heaven is not without cost - it costs you everything - convincing unbelievers and believers that heaven is like a million-dollar give-a-way is the same as damning them to hell.  You call for a grace without strings attached just like winning the lotto - Jesus calls for obedience - the two could not be more polar opposites.

Since when did the celebration of the death and resurrection of the King of Kings become a carnival raffle?

Furthermore - your contention that those who criticize the "give-away" are just criticizing you is absolutely baseless.  Are you serious?  Do you not claim to be a church - the bride of Christ? Not only is your local church complicit in this, but the entirety of the worldwide church as well.  You bear the reputation of the murdered, resurrected Life-giver and Obedience-demander and you say "I will bear the shame." You are greatly mistaken - Christ the grave conqueror bears the shame. Congratulations you have successfully nullified the grace of Christ and caused his name to reek to the lost and dying world that you were trying to reach.

Your decision to create your church into a mockery is an abomination on so many levels. 

Did you even consider the fact that this give away will cause unrelenting covetousness among your church? Some will walk away with a car some with a goody bag - do you really think that they will be focused on your message, flawed as it may be?  Perhaps you are on the wrong career path - I hear Oprah is retiring - maybe you can call NBC so that you can take over her show - after all she also runs a "A few of my favorite things" promotional give-away (at least she does not compare it to the death of the Suffering Servant).  Since when did someone say that Jesus was beautiful because I won a Beemer?

I pray that you will repent and that your church members will see the complete lunacy in this and practice some discernment.  May every believer be reminded of the slain, yet resurrected Lord this Passion Week and the high cost of our obedience to the worthy, sacrificed Passover Lamb. 

Prayerfully Yours,
Chris McKinny