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Media Watch: Historic Church ::
Is all publicity good publicity? Maybe not. Consider the message this article conveyed to non-Christian readers…
Source: Perspective Vo1 No2 © Perspective 1999
Is all publicity good publicity? Maybe not. Consider the message this article conveyed to non-Christian readers. It appeared in a local Melbourne newspaper on January 18th, 1993. Naturally, names have been changed to protect the innocent (or guilty – as the case may be)...
HISTORIC CHURCH
One million dollars is needed to save the historic Pittswood Presbyterian Church in Poverty Rd, Pittswood. Large cracks have appeared in the 133-year-old church, the oldest building in the Pittswood area, and a public appeal has been launched to repair the building before it falls down.
“The whole thing depends on public donations and I urge people to give generously,” Rev. Giles Forsyth Snortwhistle said.
About a third of the appeal target would be spent repairing the building and the rest installing new facilities including a car park, playground and toilet.
Volunteers are still needed for a door-knock campaign, said Rev. Snortwhistle. Interested people should call 555-1234.
Questions for Group Discussion
Question 1:
What would Martin Luther have said?
A. “Let the damned thing fall down!”
B. “The cracks in the building aren’t the problem – it’s the cracks in the Reverend’s gospel.”
C. “Incredible – the unsaved saving the ultimately unsaveable!”
D. All of the above.
Question 2:
How do you think this article might chancre the average Australian s view of the church as a money-grabbing penny pinching history-bound business?
Question 3:
Who wrote the hymn that goes, “The church’s one foundation/ is lots of public money/ so let us chuck the gospel/ and flush it down the dunny…”?
Question 4:
Is this the kind of publicity you would want for your church?
Write your answers to these questions on the back of a stamped self-addressed envelope and post it as soon as possible.
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