There are lots of wonderful reasons not to attend a church.
But every now and then, I come across something like this, and I feel a bit upset that I’m not part of a similar community.

In case the picture isn’t coming through for you, it says:
Select the restaurant you and your spouse would like to go to. Take the completed card to the atrium where you will see white balloons and volunteers in white “Date Night” t-shirts ready to register you and your spouse for your “Date Night.”
In exchange for you registration card you will receive a $30 voucher to the restaurant of your choice redeemable at the restaurant the night of your Date Night as well as a voucher for childcare reimbursement. Please complete the childcare voucher and mail it back to the office for 3-hours of childcare reimbursement.
So, for married people, the church sponsored a date night, complete with a paid dinner and child care.
I don’t know how much it all cost the church, but I think it’s a worthwhile way to treat the people that help your organization stay afloat.
Before you say that money could be better used in other ways, don’t forget this is the same church — Elevation Church in North Carolina — that sponsored the Bless Back Project. For that project, the church put several thousands of its own dollars in the hands of church members and told them to give the money away to others who could use it more (regardless of religious background), no strings attached. They’re not just using money for proselytization.
Regarding the Date Night, Pastor Steven Furtick said this:
The response was overwhelming. Looking at our demographics, approximately 75% of the married couples in the church participated.
Tell me you wouldn’t appreciate that gesture if it were offered to you.
What are atheists doing to help members of our own “community”?
There’s nothing stopping you from telling your married-with-children friends that you’re giving them a night away from the kids as a thank you to them for simply being awesome. Nothing too crazy. You pay for dinner. Steal their children for the night.
Hell, you’re atheists. You probably already do the latter on a regular basis. Might as well be generous and toss in dinner while you’re at it 🙂
This is What Christianity Looks Like ..."
This is What Christianity Looks Like ..."
This is What Christianity Looks Like ..."
This is What Christianity Looks Like ..."