Get paid to go to church ($5 or $10 an hour)

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

S H R E V E P O R T, La., Aug. 1— Bishop Fred Caldwell says Jesus never intended for his Shreveport, La., church to be exclusively black, so he plans on paying whites to come to mass. 

 

"There's a need for diversity in the body of Christ and especially on Sunday morning, we need to look like the kingdom of God. I don't think at this point we're there."

 

Caldwell says he will pay whites $5 per hour to attend Sunday services at Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church and $10 an hour for the Thursday service.

 

"People get paid to go a lot of places, we might as well at church," Caldwell said.

 

Caldwell said the idea to encourage whites to attend his church in exchange for money came to him while he was looking out at his parishioners during his Sunday sermon.

 

He says the predominantly black community at Greenwood Acres is largely supportive of his unconventional attempt to expand the diversity of the congregation.

 

"We have a few that are not agreeing with it, don't necessarily see the vision. As they stick around they'll probably see the vision," Caldwell said. "We need to reach all people."

 

Since news of his plan got out, the calls started coming in from people interested in finding out more.

 

Caldwell says some of the calls were from people who didn't want the money, but were just happy to be invited.

 

Caldwell says he expects those who come for the payoff to return for the word of God and not a five-spot in the future.

 

"When they get here, they will hear the word of God, which brings faith because faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God," Caldwell said. "It will get the audience I believe that really needs to hear the gospel and they will go out and in turn, tell others," he said

 

The white visitors who want to be paid will have to register when they attend Greenwood Acres. Caldwell says he will pay them from his pocket and enlist the help of the congregation if needed.

 

The preacher says he plans to put out more chairs in his church this Sunday.

 

I don't think it will work long term but its an interesting idea. I wonder if they have to tithe back some of that money back to the church...

[Guest SP-1]

That's. . . pretty retarded. But who knows, it may bring some people to Christ, which, of course, I fully endorse. Not too crazy about the method, though.

[Guest El Satanico]

$5? no

$10? yes, but only if the service is at least two hours long.

[Guest IDrinkRatsMilk]

Safe bet. This will bring publicity and since it's out of his own pocket, people will be guilted into paying the money back if they take it at all.

[Guest HartFan86]

This is unbelievlable. People go to church as their choice, they shouldn't be BRIBBED into it. Wow.

[Guest El Satanico]

They should pay people to sit through that long drawn out pointless shit.

[Guest Choken One]

I am not paying 10 bucks to hear a story.

[Guest Nevermortal]

Man, I'd soooooooooooooooo be there. With fucking bells on.

[Guest JAxlMorrison]

Well, it definately can't be a Catholic church. They want you to pay to attend.

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

$10?

 

That's enough for at least...6 slurpees. I'm there man.

[Guest SP-1]

$10?

 

That's enough for at least...6 slurpees. I'm there man.

[Guest NoCalMike]

Chuch......&......Money.......together!?!

[Guest DrTom]

I'd do it, but only if I could heckle the minister. If buying a ticket to a sports game allows you to heckle the players, then being paid to sit thru a church service should allow you to make fun of the minister during the sermon.

[Guest DrTom]

I'd do it, but only if I could heckle the minister. If buying a ticket to a sports game allows you to heckle the players, then being paid to sit thru a church service should allow you to make fun of the minister during the sermon.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I'd PAY money to do that, let alone do that for money.

[Only The Strong Survive 0]

What the hell? I go to church every Sunday morning and they're getting bribed to go! This world is falling to shit man