Luther Prep, Watertown, Wisconsin
Tuition - 5,250
Room - 950
Board - 2,110
TOTAL - $8,310
GALA Junk for Jesus Sale - Priceless
Description: In our live auction we'll begin a bid that many many folks can join in. You get to raise your paddle at any amount from the cost of training one student's full tuition ($8310.00) down to $100 a bidder. Plan now to be a part of raising the amount of financial aid available to Prep students and their families. When we all work together on a goal, the near results are more students enrolled in your synod prep school at a more affordable cost. The long lasting result: more full time WELS pastors and teachers working through out the world to proclaim the Gospel!
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GJ - I have to hand it to this sect. First they stick the parents with a high school tuition bill that equals a state university's. Second, they organize a meretricious auction to raise even more money. Years ago they did not have a paid recruiter to try to make up for the loss of students caused by price-gouging for tuition. Paying for a recruiter and all fund-raising costs - ultimately part of tuition.
This auction is managed by a professional group. Here is what they say:
About Us
Founded in 2003, Arsetta’s mission is to provide affordable, enterprise-class software solutions to non-profit organizations of all sizes. ReadySetAuction®, Arsetta’s flagship product, was developed around a simple vision: to make it easier for non-profit organizations to raise the funds they need to fulfill their missions.
Since ReadySetAuction’s launch, hundreds of non-profit organizations across the United States — including schools, religious organizations, charitable organizations, youth sports leagues, and other community groups — have used ReadySetAuction to streamline their auction processes and raise millions of dollars.
Arsetta, Inc. is located near Seattle, Washington.
The lucky winner of Wayne Mueller's holy cow will pay $500 or more, but Arsetta will get a piece of bossy, too.
Denominations used to avoid competing in the market place for obvious reasons. In spite of the invocation of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 on the prep website, the school is asking for retail business, not for gifts for the poor. Paul asked the Corinthians to support the poor in Jerusalem through giving. He did not ask them to sell trinkets to support their own institutions.
Luther Prep has a bevy of provisions to help it thrive as a charity. People get tax deductions for giving. The school is spared payment of many taxes and fees. A business must pay those taxes and fees, so Luther Prep is taking advantage of its status to make a few bucks.
Luther Prep is saying, "We cannot support ourselves, so we expect the retail establishment to donate things they cannot sell and write those gifts off. We expect our families and friends to buy these items and give a cut to Arsetta. We will run a business but not obey the laws that regulate a business."
The genius money managers of the Mueller-Gurgel administration forced the preps into groveling for a few more bucks. They jacked tuition up by 30%, which caused a decline in enrollment. (Economics 101) Mueller-Gurgel encouraged the preps to find more money on their own. Death threats are wonderfully motivating.
The irony is that people will give far more money than they would relinquish by supporting a Junk For Jesus Gala Event. The Gospel moves people to good works because they are thankful to God for His blessings. Gospel giving is maximum giving. When people buy stuff, they look for bargains and trinkets they like.
The posts about this auction were prompted by an active member of WELS. I would name him, but I do not want to visit his grave.
