Recently, for her 16th birthday, I took my daughter to see Toby Mac and her favorite band, Skillet. It was an amazing concert. Skillet is incredibly tight and masterfully talented. Toby Mac defines entertainer. It was a blast. And yes, both shared the Gospel and called listeners to impact their world for Christ.
BUT…as much as I loved the concert, it started me thinking (that always makes my wife nervous….)
Between ticket purchases and merchandise, I estimated that about $150,000 was spent by attendees. $150,000 for three hours of phenomenal entertainment and encouragement, orchestrated to honor God.
A few weeks ago, the pastor of our church announced that we as a church were building orphanages in the Dominican Republic. Each orphanage would cost $50,000 to build. Three orphanages would cost $150,000 to build.
I’m sure you see where I’m going. 3 hours of entertainment and encouragement for believers versus 3 orphanages designed to train orphans to be leaders for Jesus Christ in their country. 3 hours of Jesus music for the faithful or 3 homes for poor and fatherless orphans?
It’s just something to consider. What if everyone who attended the concert chose to build three orphanages instead? It’s my 16-year old daughter who makes me wonder (even though she loved the concert!). She spent some time in Haiti a few summers ago and fell in love with the people. She is begging to return this year to bring the hope of Christ to hurting people. Would she trade the concert for building an orphanage in Haiti? Absolutely.
I’m still thinking through it because it was obvious to me while watching the concert that Toby Mac and Skillet were created to do what they do and I know they reach people for Christ through their ministries. But, somehow it seems we’re feeding ourselves while the world is starving for the love of Christ.
Written by: Carl Blunt Check him out @ thelifebook.com Follow him @carlblunt
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow. Awesome to think about. Three churches!
Carl – While I understand that you are trying to get people to think about how they spend their money, I would like to point out that a concert tour like this one employs over 60 people who have families to support. Add to that, the local people who work at the venues (crew, food, ushers, security, cleaning, etc.) who don’t get paid unless this concert comes to town. You are now up over 125 people. Each artist also has connection with world ministries (Compassion, World Vision) that get thousands of people involved in reaching the world. And, of course, how many people brought friends and family that hadn’t heard the message of Jesus.
Think of the ripples of ministry that would never occur if this night didn’t happen…
I would suggest that this money was spent well.
i would second Mike’s reasoning and would say that if $50,000 from the concert were used to build one of those orphanages would it be like the icing on the cake? The concert would have served its purpose, while the proceeds could be channelised to do more and reach out to the lost…i believe they would have done something on the similar lines with most of those proceeds they made that day