Clickbait and spoiler alerts in the Church are concerning

Another secular phrase has made its way into Christian lingo, "Clickbait" in the church may sound harsh to some, but to others, it's self-explanatory.

Clickbait refers to content designed to attract attention and encourage clicks, often through sensationalized or misleading headlines.

On the Internet, clickbait articles are those that have sensational headlines so that you will click on them. The information is usually fake news or something different than what was offered.

In the context of the church, clickbait refers to the use of sensational, misleading, or provocative statements. They may come from the pulpit or be on billboards as marketing strategies to attract attention and draw people to attend sermons, ministry events, or click on online content. This is done under the guise of marketing, but those in the know are aware of the deception.

Examples are flyers promising "God's gonna move in a mighty way" or "Your miracle is guaranteed," and "You don't want to miss what God is going to do." My favorite false promise is "Your life will never be the same after tonight."

Clickbait can also be used in the church to entice members to attend church functions. Statements are made to tease congregants and tell them just enough to make them interested in hearing the rest.

On soap operas, this is called a spoiler alert. A clip of the coming episodes will be shown so viewers will want to tune in the next day. Sometimes online articles will promise juicy information or a hint about the next episode.

Decades ago, before the Internet was created, a pastor I knew would tell his members they would get more revelation if they attended Wednesday night bible study.

He would also preach part of a Sunday sermon and say that if you wanted to hear the rest, you should come on Wednesday or make sure you were in service the following Sunday. While intended to drive engagement, clickbait often sparks debate regarding the balance between modern outreach and biblical integrity.

Sensational sermon titles and shocking statements can hook church members and keep them returning for more. Flyers for church conferences that promise God will move in a big way or say you don't want to miss the event can be considered clickbait if they do not deliver what was promised.

A different example would be a preacher telling congregants that they have been asking to learn about the book of Revelation, and he will begin a series on a specific night, but it will only be available for tithing members. This may motivate someone who is not giving ten percent of their income to start tithing, so they can attend.

Emotional manipulation related to social issues and politics can also be used to promote fear, outrage, or curiosity among churchgoers, the same way it prompts online shares of articles and posts. Sermons with catchy phrases, one-liners, and sound bites are hype that are not focused on the gospel.

Saying something shocking or offensive in the hopes that church members will show up for Sunday School, Christian Education or a midweek service, thinking they will obtain clarification,

Some ministries argue that they use these methods to compete in the digital age. They believe the means justify the end when using "clickbaity" tactics if they deliver what is promised. On the flip side, when you attend a church service or event, and it does not live up to the advertising, this leaves people disappointed and feeling played.

Some churches hold raffles to give away money during Sunday service. Once a visiting preacher gave two individuals $500 each on a Wednesday night. He emphasized that everyone should continue to attend these services because next time they might get money. No one else ever did.

Critics argue that clickbait is a form of "yellow journalism" that prioritizes hit counts over truth. Deceptive marketing can damage the church's reputation, leading secular observers to view believers as "gullible".

There is also concern that an obsession with engagement metrics turns the church into an entertainment center that exalts the preacher’s personality over the Gospel message.

People should attend church because they love Jesus not because they hope to get money, win a raffle or hear something juicy. They certainly should not be promised by man what God does not deliver.

Aging church members and empty pews lead some pastors to take desperate measures to keep the doors open. Manipulating the Gospel to fill seats is a turn-off for many who see through the deceptive tactics and refuse to play along.