I think it's of the debil. Jesus didn't charge.



























Before anyone's undies constrict, i'm kidding.

I've never been to a meet n greet before. I paid to go see Stryper on this one. It was a real nice laid back experience, no "buffet" line. The way I see it, it's their time, they should get paid. On top of that, I doubt they are making that much money for the show. I mean their tickets were under $30 for the show, and under $40 for the meet and greet. Compare that to Creed who was charging $300 or $400 for nice seats and a meet and greet. Also, I don't think the economy is that bad. I'm not rich, but I jumped at this chance as it may not come again.

Sighhhhh.

I don't know. I guess I just don't understand. I think it's just sad that with any band...whether secular or Christian--it always ends up boiling down to one thing--MONEY. Plus with the economy as bad as it is right now. If the economy was better--I probably would not have a problem with it at all. ...but that's just me.

By the way....how did Stryper get into this? Did I ever mention the name of the band I was refering to? Stryper may be the only really "old school" Christian band touring right now, but do you all realize how many more "new school" Christian bands are touring right now? Heck I could have been refering to Pillar, Skillet, As I Lay Dying or whoever. I like old and new. Stryper infiltrated the secular market for so long...they could probably be considered secular now or "decent-clean" metal. Again, I never mentioned Stryper. And as I said; the band shall remain nameless--although I guess one could fill in the blank for many cases on this one.

its all good.i had only brought up stryper because they were the only band i have been made aware of having the meet and greets as part of their tour.and knowing of the huge expenses in planning this tour.if their are others;my humble apologies! didnt want it to appear that i was finger pointing.just givin an example of a large scale tour vs.something as i am personally involved with planning.this is by no means to make me a "know it all" clearly so much of what i am doing is "on the job training"! so to sum up my thoughts;.i think this has been very enlightening on both sides of this sensistive issue and very appreciative to everyones thoughts! thanks!

I have been to several Meet and Greets type of things for Stryper. Once on their 7-Weeks live reunion tour, they were giving them away on a local radio station, I won and got to see them after the show. It was kind of a let down. They came out and sat behind a table and everyone lined up and you could shake their hand and get a couple of things autographed and that was it.
I also have been to one of their CD release party's they did at a Mardels Bookstore for the album "Reborn". It was pretty cool they did like four songs live in the store and the again everyone lined up.
I paid for the Meet n Greet on the current tour for the show in Dallas and was more then happy too do so for what I was to get in return. They are allowing 50 fans to hang out with them while they do there sound check and after talk, take pictures and sign stuff. If you go to youtube you can see some video people have uploaded from these events and it looks well worth every penny.

Now I see why Alldat wanted to hook up at the Stryper show, he was going to charge us to meet him!

I agree that it is a free country and they can do what they want, I personally don't think I would want to charge people to meet me, assuming there was a reason to meet me LOL. I just miss the good old days like resurrection band when people did line up to meet Glenn after the show and he talked to each one and/or signed whatever people wanted. I was not an autograph seeker, I just wanted to thank him for all his music and in particular one song at the time. I remember the line being hundreds long, they saw it as a ministry.

To each his own. I have no problem with any band charging for a preshow meet and greet. If my favorite band came to town and I could pay a little to have dinner and such with them as Ult did than I'd be down for it.

But what about after the show? For instance a ministering band:

What if an unsaved audience member is moved during the show and wants to be ministered to one on one with the band, then what? Will the band make a bee-line to the bus, stick around for free or charge you like every other autograph hound?

Ministry is great, but someone has to meet those expenses. My pastor
never has taken a salary, he always ran a business which he is now
retired from, but a paid minister is not a bad or unbiblical thing.

If the "XYZ Christian Band" has a home church that is willing to
sponsor them on a tour and meet all the expenses so they can minister
just like we would support a couple going to Papua New Guinea, then
that is fine, but nothing in this life is for free, even ministry.

I would say put it in the price of the ticket. But I completely understand big bands limiting exposure because of time and energy.

If a band is a ministry it is an opprtunity to sow into them. A lot of times I even take this in to consideration when I purchase music. I think to myself does this band and there music glorify God and give the holy spirit room to move. And are they looking to spread a message of hope and truth through there music. And when bands are more in it for God and to minister to people, I am a lot more willing to do things like pay to go to a Meet and greet, Because It is a win win situation. I am helping them spread the word and I get to enjoy it. Just as an EXAMPLE a band like Dagon, killer musicians, good tunes, but it does absolutely nothing to further the kingdom of heaven so I pass on them. I am not bashing dagon either. that is just the way I see it.

Now a days they have F A M I L I E S.

Most bands that I knew people got to hang with were young, single, rode in crappy vans from place to place and they were their own roadies. It was awesome to be able to hang with them. Most of those guys got ripped off and burnt out as well. I don't blame people for charging. It doesn't make them greater or less in my eyes. If I can't afford it - oh well - it's not a necessity in life that I am constitutionally guaranteed.

Also, in Stryper's case, they were giving a CD with the meet and greet as well. So you could look at it as spending $15-$20 to hang with them before the show. not a bad deal to me.

But what about after the show? For instance a ministering band:

What if an unsaved audience member is moved during the show and wants to be ministered to one on one with the band, then what? Will the band make a bee-line to the bus, stick around for free or charge you like every other autograph hound?[/quote] i have heard of such a gig.where the band members layed down the instruments and layed hands on this guy and rejoiced in jesus'name as he gave his heart to the lord on the spot! whole idea behind the "metal ministry" or christ metal musicans! we are all called to be his ambassadors no matter where or when or how that will be.we must always be prepared.so by "making a bee-line for the bus" would not be acceptable in my book!! thats how i see it!

I would have considered it, but the Dallas meet and greet tickets apparently sold-out early

I'll join the chorus of "I don't see what the big deal is"....Why is it "OK" to pay for aticket to the concert "ministry" of the band, but NOT for a "meet and greet"? It's sort of a dichotomy and contradiction, in my mind. I can't see why you'd be indignant about one, but not the other?