There's no worse job in the church than being the sound guy. Thank goodness for the Babylon Bee and their helpful tips.😆
https://babylonbee.com/news/the-babylon-bee-guide-to-being-the-church-sound-guy
Just read an article about how a normally intelligent, rational person was duped out of $50k. The scammers used:
Fear
Urgency
Isolation
The problem is that even good legitimate leaders and organizations, without ill intent, often use the same.
Do we need to be coerced to do good or to give?
Is there an alternative?
Am I the first to ding this?
https://babylonbee.com/news/10-differences-between-the-underground-church-and-the-american-church
Common scams in missions:
1) Building projects... fake receipts, "cost over runs," fake photos, "ministry" buildings get used for personal real estate, the buildings quickly fall into disrepair
2) Multiple affiliations... Church changes the sign board name according to the organization
3) Orphanages without real orphans
4) Disasters... example: "We had an earthquake" But the earthquake hit on the other side of the country not even close
5) Persecution... example: Photos of real persecution in India used as a sympathy ploy for fund raising in Nepal.
6) Exaggerations... Especially church plants, numbers of converts, baptisms, church "affiliates."
Know who you are giving to.
Know geography
A good friend and I were talking about a topic we agreed upon... then I showed a Bible verse which I thought would "put a nail in the coffin." Doing this opened a can of worms and started a heated discussion.
I apologized for even bringing up the topic. I should have known he would have strong feelings.
Damaged relationship. Not worth it. Stay away from the non-essentials.
Persecution is on the rise on India, especially in Chhatisgarh State. I've seen videos of believers getting beaten by bamboo poles, and their rice crops stolen.
From a friend:
Situation got very serious in Narayanpur city. While we all were celebrating New Year in different places. They destroyed several churches from last 3days including one of our village church. All the Christians from these 3 villages are sleeping in jungle from last 3 nights. They are seeking to kill Pas Rajmal. He is hiding from few days. Please pray. Around 9 hundred persecutors gather and attacked 2 of Pas Rajmal Karanga's place on January 1st. A Mob (4000 people) gather in Narayanpur city. Destroyed Christian school and a church. There is a curfew now. These people want to close down whole Baster division. In Baster there are 6 districts including Bijapur and Narayanpur. My family (The Overseeing Pastor Ramesh & Family ) has to move out today to be in a safe place. Please pray for us and our protection.
Fox news article concerning Christian persecution in Iran. It is especially poignant considering the BTJ Voice of the Persecuted Church conference last week.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/simply-being-a-christian-enough-get-you-arrested-iran-british-government-report