Comments on: My Beef with Bible Bucks: Why do you do it?

By: Ministry Monday: Bible Bucks, Cool Cash, and Incentives | Matt McKee Live

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:18:52 +0000

[...] Conley wrote 3 posts about the subject: Post #1, Post #2, and Post #3.Sam Luce wrote 4 posts including one from Jonathan Cliff and insights from [...]

By: maxine

maxine — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:31:46 +0000

I recently intiated the Bible Bucks program as the Christian Ed Director at my church and let me tell you that the BB program is a blessing. As adults we often forget when we were children and what excited & motivated us to listen & learn. Motivation is necessary for learning – even with adults. If Bible Bucks is used properly, it does not have to be a nightmare of admistration. Additionally, we forget that Jesus, as a teacher, used motivation Himself. Case in point, feeding the 5,000 with “fish sandwiches” a way to recognize a basic need of humankind – food as a motivation to listen to his Holy Word.

Children are not adults and should not be treated as such. If Bible Bucks motivates them to listen, bring a friend to church, learn memory verses, etc., then why not use it? It also assists in teaching that sometimes you don’t win – sometimes you celebrate someone else’s success. That in itself is a valuable lesson.

By: laynni

laynni — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:41:32 +0000

I think i understand where you are coming from, but at the same time, having used bible bucks successfully and seeing the benefits from using it for me is defenitely causing me to not totally agree with you. In the same way that churches use flyers that offer free coffee, or a visitors room with breakfast, or snack, or maybe it is the music that a particular age group or race likes better than another type…..whatever it takes to draw them and get the word in them is what i think…….as long as it is in line with the word and not displeasing to God. You know when God took the children of Israel out of Egypt he had to do some pretty awesome things in the wilderness for these ADULTS to stay in line………and continue to believe, and still they went off track. Well, were dealing with children, and a reward system is something that God is totally into…….however he sees fit. Did your parents ever reward you for anything?

By: Kenny

Kenny — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:39:51 +0000

Thanks for your comments. This is why I love the blogosphere… it’s connecting with people I wouldn’t normally have access to and hear their great ideas. Before I wrote these posts, I’d say that my only personal experience with Prize Stores have been neutral or negative and from my own personal bent, I won’t do them. However I have read some great information that encourages me that maybe there is a place for this type of program… but who am I to say? Thanks for your comments and adding your $.02!

By: My Beef with Bible Bucks: How do I get rid of them? » Children's Ministry Online

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:30:42 +0000

[...] Yesterday I talked about my thoughts on Bible Bucks incentive/award programs. My experience has been only negative or neutral, so I’ve had the pesky little habit of getting rid of them at the churches where I’ve worked. [...]

By: Bryan

Bryan — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:27:01 +0000

Hello,

I was just reading your post on Bible Bucks. I think they are great if used in moderation and for the right reason. Many of the people I top Children’s Pastors like Jim Wideman, Karl Bastian and others use them with great success. Karl wrote a great article that is posted on Kidology.org about this very subject. I would have to totally agree with everything he said.

I think the bigger problem is having Children’s Pastors boast about how their program is better than someone elses. No one has a right to say someone’s program isn’t any good because they use Bible bucks. I do not know what God has called in a persons heart when they build a ministry. If they feel Bible bucks are a part of that calling then great! I agree ministries can get off point, but I’m gonna keep my focus on God and not allow the ministry God has called me to lead to become focused on pride that my ministry is better than someone elses. If those ministries are bringing children into the Kingdom then that is what matters most. Don’t allow pride to lead you. We are all in this for the same reason, to bring children to Christ.

By: Todd McKeever

Todd McKeever — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:55:16 +0000

Kenny,

Sounds like this series of your could be a good read and I look forward to it.

I guess in about 3 more weeks when my blog site is done with it’s overhaul and all and I can take it live again, I too may have to blog about: “How to have a positive, fulfilling, close and growing kids ministry all the while keeping your store.”

Have a great day my friend. One idea as you dismantle your store is to maybe a have a salvation sermon message about “Let’s make a deal” and use all your outgoing store items. It could be really fun since Halloween is coming you could really pump the kids even dressing up like they use to do for the old game show of “Let’s make a deal”.