In a sure-fire way to flush potential new church-goers out of bed, Kentucky churches announced their “Outreach to Rednecks” program. The Kentucky Baptist Convention is leading the “Second Amendment Celebrations” campaign. This has a winning God, country and guns ring to it, and is sure to draw the target audience. Churches around the state will lure nonbelievers with guns as door prizes, in what they hope will be the first step to “Point people to Christ.” Christ, of course was a well, known gun enthusiast, often pictured with a ‘coon-skin cap and a rifle slung over his shoulder.
Not everyone gets the genius of the outreach. Rev. Joe Phelps said, “How ironic to use guns to lure men in to hear a message about Jesus, who said, ‘Put away the sword.” He said nothing about the gun, Reverend. Phelps was on a roll – continuing, “Giveaways for God” seem wrong. Can you picture Jesus giving away guns, or toasters or raffle tickets? … He gave away bread once, but that was as a sign, not a sales pitch.” Stop making sense!
As expected, a ‘lady pastor’ had a wacky reaction as well. Nancy Jo Kemper, of New Union church in Versailles, and a former director of the Kentucky Council of Churches waded in: “Churches should not be encouraging people in their communities to arm themselves against their neighbors, but to love their neighbors, as instructed by Jesus.” Are you saying the ends don’t always justify the means Ms Kemper?
We’ll just see what puts more butts in the seats, ‘love of neighbors’ or a chance at winning a sweet shotgun, Nancy.