The latest government plan to stimulate the economy includes a 1,000-member bailout for churches under 100 members.

Over 100,000 struggling churches have applied for government assistance including Pastor Rusty Nale of the First Non-Denominational Independent Community Family Center in Swamp Gas, Louisiana. Rev. Nale notes that the economic downturn has hurt offerings as well as membership since families have moved to churches with larger social programs.

Another recipient of government-mandated members is Buck Horn, of a 50-member church in Moose Breath, Wyoming. "Gaining 1,000 young members with children has breathed new life into our congregation," Rev. Horn said.

The infusion of new members and tithers has not come without cost, though. The government has ordered that mega churches over 10,000 members, must bear the cost of the church stimulus. Joe Osteen's 23,000 member Lakewood Church has seen 13,000 members moved to smaller, struggling churches surrounding it's sprawling facilities. T.D. Jake's Potter's House has lost 8,000 members and Bill Hybels Willow Creek has lost 7,000 to reduce both to the government-madated 10,000-membership cap.

Les Freadum, chairman of the government's Church Redistribution of Saints and Sinners (CROSS), defends the program saying, "Churches under 100 need an infusion of membership to survive in this economic crisis."

Those receiving the bailout have also paid a "high cost" according to Dusty Pew of the National Council of Churches. "Government oversight and restrictions on membership has created new problems that our founders never envisioned when they wrote the separation of church and state into the constitution."

Pastors who accept government-mandated membership are required to subscribe to the government's Fairness Doctrine doctrine. CROSS' Freadum notes, "For too many years, churches--particularly denominational churches-- have presented a slanted and biased doctrine in their churches and have not allowed for tolerance and diversity within the fellowship. The Fairness Doctrine doctrine will assure that Wesleyan-Arminian and Calvinist theology will receive equal time in Sunday sermons, along with a balanced perspective on issues of pro-life/pro-choice, gay/straight clergy and contemporary/traditional music offerings."

Also, churches receiving government-mandated members must show additional growth numerically and financially within the first fiscal year or face nationalization of the congregation. "We will not subsidize churches who have not shown a workable, profitable ministry model," Freadum said.

Those receiving CROSS dollars must also abide with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. Total emersion baptism is forbidden under CROSS with Freadum calling it "tantamount to water-boarding." Churches choosing pouring or sprinkling modes of baptism will be required to provide non-slip flooring and ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) electrical outlets within 50 feet of baptismal fonts.

Other restrictions specify that ushers serving Communion must complete a government-certified "Food Handling and Safety" course while elements must be prepared in accordance with local health and safety rules in a commercially-licensed kitchen.

NCC's Pew concluded that CROSS and the accompanying regulations contrast with Founding Father James Madison's argument that "Religion flourishes in greater purity without . . . the aid of Government." He has since been ordered to receive sensitivity training at CROSS's headquarters in Brimstone, Nevada.

Remember, you read it here first!

Author and speaker James Watkins writes from the future where Left Behind in the Purpose-Driven Shack is the best-selling book for 2019.



Leave a comment, tell a friend, send me money . . .

Email your comments to jim@jameswatkins.com.

And if this page was helpful, please . . .
    a) save it as a favorite at delicious.com
    b) subscribe to the RSS feed
    c) recommend it to digg.com and StumbleUpon.com and
    d) tell a friend:

Your name:
Your email:
Friend's name:
Friend's email:

And if this page was really helpful, please . . .
    e) please consider a donation to our sponsor XarisCom.

You can donate securely with any major credit card through PayPal. Thanks!

Legal stuff and warnings

Copyright © James Watkins. All text and graphics on my sites, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted © in my name, James N. Watkins, and are protected by United States copyright law and international copyright law under the Berne Convention. Please visit the press room for information on reprinting any text or graphics. Thanks!

WARNING: Reader assumes full responsibility for the proper and prescribed use of this site. For external use only. Discontinue if rash, redness, irritation, or swelling develops. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Side-effects may include drowsiness or mild to severe agitation. Do not read while consuming alcohol or operating heavy machinery. Keep away from open flame. Do not store above 451 degrees. Do not use near or place in water. Void where prohibited, taxed or licensed. Any medical information provided is for general educational use only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of any other person—real or fictitious, living or dead—using the name James N. Watkins.