Posted on 10/20/2024 9:18:19 AM PDT by Morgana
Allie Beth Stuckey is a conservative Christian commentator who hosts the podcast Relatable, where she “analyzes news, culture, theology, and politics from a Christian, conservative perspective.” She is the author of two books: You’re Not Enough (& That’s Okay) and Toxic Empathy, and she speaks regularly to “organizations, churches, and students about the importance of Christian political engagement, defending the Biblical worldview, championing the pro-life cause, and combating the lies of progressivism.”
She recently hosted and presented at the Share the Arrows event at Prestonwood Church, which is an “unforgettable day of teaching and encouragement from some of the wisest Christian voices.” Here, attendees are given the opportunity to “fellowship with like minded women who are ready to Share the Arrows with you, armed with truth and courage in an age of deception and cowardice.”
Speakers included Stuckey herself, Candace Cameron Bure, Rosaria Butterfield, Alisa Childers, Abbie Halberstadt, and music by Francesca Battistelli.
She previously explained the idea of Sharing the Arrows:
It’s a phrase we use to describe what it looks like to stand up for and with those getting lambasted for their Christian/conservative views. When we see someone being unfairly maligned, instead of shrinking back and saying, “glad that’s not me!” we raise our hand and say, “What she said – I believe it too. And any hate you’re going to hurl her way, I’ll take it with her.” That kind of courage and kindness is contagious. It empowers and emboldens.
It sounds like a good time, except Stuckey is under fire for her VIP Packages, which, apart from the $150 general admission, include tiers of $500, $1000, and even $5000.
The difference between a $500 breakfast package and the $1000 VIP package seems to be the opportunity to have dinner with Stuckey and Candace Cameron Bure, a different colored lanyard, and a VIP tote back. For the $5000 VIP package, purchasers get a black lanyard and backstage access throughout the event.
We’ll be honest: the last time we saw a Christian (or heretic) charging this much for any event was when Benny Hinn charged $5000 to attend his 70th birthday celebration. Even a 2022 conference by noted money-grubbing heretics Joel Osteen and TD Jakes was only $1000.
It is unclear to what degree Stuckey had input into the pricing, if any, though she certainly knew these tiers existed, previously sharing on Facebook some of the clothing VIP members would receive.
Pastor Michael Foster, who has hosted several conferences before, offered up this humorous take on the extravagant price.
All of these are Chardonnay moms posing as Christians.
“Chardonnay moms”
LOL that is a new one to me
It all depends on the location.
Room rental, food, AV, security (if the venue requests it), room block guarantees, taxes, set up, promotion, staffing, etc. all have to be covered if the place is packed or not.
If she is not getting sponsors, attendees must foot the bill.
If she doesn’t have a track record of packing the house, it’s a gamble.
Hotels are the most expensive of venue options but where conferences like these are held.
Without seeing the internals, I’d say she’s hedging her bets instead of being greedy.
If people are willing to shell out that sort of money to see her, why should we care? The market essentially sets the rate and if the event is poorly attended, guess who thought too highly of themself?
This just smacks of jealous tongue-wagging, suitable for the idle gossips the apostles warned us about.
I’m not either for or against this woman or what she charges. I know I couldn’t afford it but then I’m not the target audience.
“Hotels are the most expensive of venue options but where conferences like these are held.”
For 5 grand is she having this at the Ritz Carlton?
Supply and demand
How big was the room block for attendees and was there a minimum guarantee?
100 guest rooms for 2 nights could easily cost $500 per room, total $50K tab if those rooms aren’t released or used.
There is a lot that goes into conventions. I organized them for over a decade as part of a professional organization.
$5K would be base cost for the room where she would be speaking, and that’s just the start.
If she didn’t have staff that knew how to haggle and venue shop, she would break even.
Singer Franchesca Battestelli won’t be cheap.
Don’t know who that is, but you’re right...another event cost to be covered.
If that performer don’t live locally, then the fee would cover their travel and lodgings at a minimum even if they were donating their time.
One of my biggest cripes with Christianity today is that they want you to pay to hear the Good News. Jesus never charged a cent, yet everywhere you look you see advertisements saying if you want to see or hear the latest message, or book, or video, you have to pony up the dough. That's a big reason why I never listen to any contemporary (supposed) Christian minister.
The Gospel message is supposed to be free. If Allie Beth Stuckey, or anyone else, wants to put on a presentation of some sort, then request donations to pay for the event then open the doors for free.
There, I'm done. You can tell I've had a stressful day huh! :-)
“If you are there to preach or share a gospel or Christian message, it should be free to everyone.”
Not if you are providing a hotel room, meals, entertainment, etc. All of which have to be paid for, with many being secular.
Pretty sure if you met her sitting in a park, she’d be glad to witness to you for free.
Like I also said, get donations to pay for the event so all those costs can be covered without charging admittance.
A “Christian Women’s Conference” isn’t for unbelievers to convert. It is for believers, and asking other believers to pay their way is silly.
A church friend went (base entry price...and she owns a Chick fil A) and she said it was very poorly organized, security was over-the-top, couldn’t leave your things in your seat when going for lunch, had to pay for water, etc. She enjoyed the speakers, but not the overall experience 😞
point well taken. In fact from what you say it’s almost not worth having.
If it’s a success, she can build on it and plan better for future events.
My first Expo was a “break even.”
By year 5, it was a huge money maker, I learned a lot about venue shopping, and a lot of people were able to attend for free or at a seriously reduced price because of sponsorships. We rolled those profits into our mission.
Have you ever organized a major event? Have you ever paid $500 to rent a TV, $80 for a table, multiply that by 100 tables, ordered a catered dinner for $500 people, airfare, transportation, lodging and honorarium for your guest speakers and staff? Paid $50,000 for audio/visual services?
Hmm, how about staffing the event store for which you had to guess what you’d sell and order six months in advance and pay for it four months ago?
Yea, didn’t think so. You have no idea the costs involved in holding even a minor convention.
My employer does one for only about 400 people. It runs about $1,000,000 and while it’s very nice, it’s nowhere near over the top.
This twisted mindset that Christian events should be free is completely insane. It costs us just as much as anyone else to promote an event.
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