Praise the Lord and Call the Shuttle
Posted on March 6th, 2006 by catalyst into the Conferences categoryA year ago, I blogged about the Northwest Breakthrough Conference. Specifically, I questioned City Bible’s decision to charge attendees $20 to park, since there was not really any other way to get to the church. And thus, the church was basically adding a $20 fee to attend the conference.
This year I am happy to report that City Bible has listened to my complaint and is now providing free shuttles to the conference. The shuttles are available at the airport and various hotels around the church.
And in order to clear up any confusion, here is City Bible’s new parking manifesto:
- Automobile parking passes are available $20. A parking pass guarantees you a place to park on the City Bible Church campus. These parking passes are available only for the first 250 requests for conference A and the first 250 for conference B
- If you are staying at one of the listed hotels, please use our free shuttles
- If you live in the Portland area, we encourage you to use public transportation.
Please use our free shuttles from Leatherman, 12106 NE Ainsworth Circle
Portland, OR 97220 (off 122nd and Airport Way).
I have got to be honest. This seems like a pretty good response. Obviously, City Bible still does not have to charge for parking, but I have begun to realize that these conferences are held for primarily one purpose, to make money. And charging for parking fits nicely within that purpose. Yet to their credit, City Bible is at least providing alternatives for those who cannot or do not want to pay for parking.
Lastly, the conference also includes a seminar on Mr. Damazio’s new book titled, 14 Tests All Leaders Must Face. I guess during the seminar, Mr. Damazio goes through the 14 tests that all leaders must face. Someone let me know if rebellious bloggers make the list. Somehow I sincerely doubt it, but I would really appreciate the recognition for all my hard work.
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March 6th, 2006 at 8:08 am
Catalyst,
You said:
“but I have begun to realize that these conferences are held for primarily one purpose, to make money.”
I think there is a conglomeration of reasons, and the money-makers seize the opportunity to exploit the event …
One reason for conferences is to affirm the current leadership - I’ve never attended a conference, where the host, and invited guest speakers, didn’t shower one another with praise, and often admonitions to the attendees to listen to, follow and obey “this man (or woman) of God” … it is really bad in the so-called ‘prophetic’ churches, where the invited guest is supposedly a ‘prophet/ess’ and claims that it is the will of God that the people should submit to the host pastor.
Another reason is to pacify the flock. Conferences are to church goers, what recess is to an elementary school kid. It provides an opportunity for something different, to alleviate the “nothing ever happens here” syndrome of liturgical / traditional church-life. Same goes for retreats. Always amazed me how people flocked to retreats, or the denominations camp/conference grounds, and got so pumped up (during their once a year fling), and then were sufficiently satisfied to go to the same old boring / dead church for the rest of the year.
Another is to hock their Jesus-ware. I once attended a Joyce Meyer conference - a typical session was praise band for 90 minutes, 30 minutes of one of Joyce’s daughter(s) hocking Joyce-ware, followed by 60-90 minutes of Joyce. Between sessions, muzak over the loudspeaker, and a looping Power-Point presentation of the conference rules, and list of available Joyce-warez in the entrance hall.
Another is to compete with the neighboring churches - to give locals who go elsewhere an opportunity to try another church - proseletyzing - covert sheep stealing.
And with such a grand event, an opportunity to make money.
March 6th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
all of this sickens me… i’m gonna drink myself to sleep now.
March 6th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
This isn’t the first year they’ve had shuttles…………..
March 8th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
I think it’s the first year they’ve had shuttles for NW Breakthrough Conference. But if not, let me know.
Nevertheless, I know they didn’t advertise the shuttles last year.