Gimmick Religion

I don't hate anything or anyone, but I have a real problem with what I call "gimmick" religion.

Here in Houston, unfortunately at my previous church, I've recently been exposed to still more "gimmick" religion. Yes, my former church, Grace Community, is busy erecting a 150' cross to tower over Houston.

For what purpose?


I thought that the church was supposed to preach the gospel of Jesus and His crucifixion and resurrection. Could the funds used to erect two giant crosses be used to greater advantage elsewhere?


I don't know. But I DO know that stuff like giant crosses rub me the wrong way. Last time I read the 10 commandments (NOT "suggestions," BTW), there was one in there about not having any gods before THE God and NOT erecting any graven images to worship. (3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. - Exodus 20). Hmmm....what happened to the "no graven images" philosophy, I wonder?

Another former church adopted the slogan "2k by Y2k," meaning that the goal was 2000 tails in the pews on Sunday morning by the year 2000.

I have a feeling that it was the preacher's way to boost the old retirement fund, but I cannot say for sure.

Here's the deal. When we start delving into "gimmicks" to put people into the pews, it dilutes the message of the Gospel and puts us into a competition with "the world," IMHO. Romans 12 says that we are not to conform to the world, so why would we hold a competition with it?

What Jesus did for us on the cross is sufficient! We don't have to elaborate, or pontificate, or try to "fancy it up," or do anything else to it except ensure that people hear the message!

Okay.....I'll shut up now!