Church potlucks should be considered under the protection of the First Amendment--at least for Baptists. What is left of the "free exercise" of religion if the state can ban homemade Jell-O salads and green bean casseroles?

My observation is that fund-raisers always do more damage to morale than they are worth. The profit is illusory; there is a cost for participants in terms of time and, e.g., ingredients. A few enthusiasts impose a sense of obligation on a larger number of the unenthusiastic. Tithe, and tell the enthusiasts to run their fund-raiser without you.

I like pie, too. My wife and daughter just made a killer key lime pie last week. It's the rest of Pastor Greb's quote that doesn't sit quite as well in my stomach:

"These fundraisers are our survival," Greb said. "In tough economic times, they keep the doors open and the lights on."

Hm.

Please don't misunderstand: I'm deeply concerned in my gut for the 1 in 7 US congregations that are flirting with closure in the midst of this present economic gut-punch.

But since when did pie become our financial lifeline?

Pie IS a hazardous substance--when it's used to keep our doors open.

When a church or a nonprofit turns to traditional transactional non-cause related ways to support its cause-related mission--whether through jog-a-thons, fruitcake drives, golf scrambles, or even the sale of one of my wife and daughter's priceless key lime pies--it robs its constituents of the opportunity to learn ever more deeply--and share ever more broadly with potential new constituents--the truth of Jesus' statement, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Even when what one is receiving is a yummy pie.

In this ruling, the church lost. As much as we don't like persecution--even pie persecution--it's what has always driven us on to new levels of scriptural obedience and creativity...and greater distance from the tools, techniques, and strategies of the world. Until we hit Acts Chapter 8, Christianity is a tiny one-city sect. When persecution hits, Christianity hits the world scene.

So is it really true that without pie to sell, our lights would flicker out and our doors would close?

If so, perhaps our lights may already be dimmer than we realize.

even if i dont agree with "tradtional methods of the way churches are doing things,something positive always comes out of it.the book of acts talks about food and fellowship.our witness for christ doesnt always start off like reading a teleprompter on the nightly news or reading"shakesspear.(lol) be blessed