Free indeed? (WWJC?)

During my sophomore year of college I attended a Keith Green concert in St Louis. While we waited outside the arena before the concert someone began singing Oh Lord, You're Beautiful. Soon someone else joined in, and then a few others and then hundreds. Eventually thousands of teenagers and young adults stood in the streets of St Louis spontaneously singing, worshiping and trying to stay warm until the doors finally opened. That night there was no band, just Keith Green and a piano on a bare stage. The lighting was poor and the sound was worse. Keith sang for about 45 minutes and then stood at a podium and preached at us for another 45. When he gave an altar call hundreds (thousands?) of young people streamed to the stage to commit their lives to Christ. I will never forget that night.

What led up to that memorable night? (Other than Keith's talent and the anointing of the Holy Spirit) First, Keith had made the decision to give his albums to anyone for whatever they wanted to pay. You could buy his music in Christian bookstores for a set price; or you could write to Last Days Ministries, send whatever you could, and they would send you a record. Everyone at my college had at least one Keith Green album and most were free. Second Keith stopped charging for concerts. There were no tickets, no cover charge, nothing. He took up an offering and somehow managed to live off what came in. So tens of thousands of poor high school and college students listened to Keith's music and attended Keith's concerts and had our lives changed through Keith's ministry. Would Keith have had as big an impact on my generation if he had charged for his music? I don't know. 

A couple of interesting things about Keith's business model. First was that he didn't give anything away. He always asked for a donation; he just didn't tell us how big our donation should be. Second Keith seemed to do okay even though he didn't charge a set price. Last Days Ministries owned a large ranch and a private airplane at the time of his death. I have no idea what his personal finances were, but he seemed to be supporting himself, his family and a fairly large ministry off the proceeds of his concerts and albums.

All of this got me to thinking how we could change our approach to ministry. Could we stop charging set fees and start relying on donations? Could a new business model for consultants, speakers, authors and ministry coaches increase impact and still pay the bills? I'll share my ideas how this might work later this week, but maybe we could start by asking, "What Would Jesus Charge?" So what do you think, WWJC?

[You can read Part 2 of this stream here]

Comments

[kc]

well first....it's amazing how much you and Keith Green look alike. wow!

next...you're definitely on to something. seems like the Christian business world (especially in the church planting world) is making a killing off of young guys with big dreams. conferences are turning into huge marketplaces of shiny things to buy. And they know those guys will buy becasue they think the shiny things will grow them big churches. Almost feels like the scene at the temple with Jesus and the money changers.

seems like the angle here will be on individual making a living but would love to hear about overall Christian business ethics, too, if you get a chance.

[Kevin Childs]

Keith Green was an incredible influence on me - including the "whatever you can afford" approach (which ticked off some Christian bookstores). He and Len Ravenhill were my personal prophets. I STILL have Last Days Ministry tracts in my office from 30 years ago.

Your question about reconsidering how we "charge" for ministry is a worthy one. Thanks for reconnecting me with some of my spiritual roots, brother. You blessed me today.

[Jesse Phillips]

Love it. Great, interesting question. I think that's a good idea. I don't think Jesus would charge anything, or ask for donations. Especially for services to each other, we're on the same team.

[Jeffery Stockdale]

I think this could work again, in ministry sometimes we are so limited because of the cost! I minister to a very diverse group of college students, from the very affluent to very poor. What amazes me is that they always seem to come up with the coin no matter what we are trying to accomplish! Great post, and I also agree you look a lot like Kieth! Blessings<><

[Geoff Surratt]

I look like Keith Green? Seriously? :)

KC: I agree that sometimes it seems like church planters are a major marketing opportunity. I'm going to talk a little about that this week. As to the larger question of Christian business ethics I want to be careful not to address the speck without dealing without my own log.

Kevin: What would you charge for some of those Last Days tracks? (Just kidding)

Jesse: I think Jesus did accept donations, the Bible mentions being supported by women who followed him. I'm not about giving everything away, but I wonder how we set our prices.

Jeffrey: The question I want to explore is how we can add value to others at a price they can afford. And I don't look like Keith Green :)

[Kim Graham]

radical thinking...and I love it! can't wait to hear more.

[jason]

Jeffrey,

Thank you so much for getting this challenging word out! I live in Birmingham, AL and co-lead a full-time Biblical Counseling & Discipleship Ministry that goes into local Churches to equip the saints to do the work of ministry. We operate completely on donations, offering our services to those who come for counseling,discipleship,mentoring for free. We also give away all of our resources, books, booklets to those who we serve. The only cultural resistance I have seen is that people equate free with no value. It is exciting to see when they "get it" that the Good News of the Gospel exceedingly priceless, in all its Glory.

This post made my day. Thanks for challenging the way we think.

Ephesians 4:15
-Jason