Church Marketing

      Many churches are implementing the latest marketing methods to bring people in their doors. They are using the most current media, brightest colors and even message titles that reach into the minds of people and answer the questions that they have. They seem to be crafting the message to do what marketers say you must and that is show people results. This seems like the best way to get the current society into a church that is bombarded with similar messages from all other angles.

      What if your church has a message that is what people need, but not necessarily what they realize they need. What if you want to just preach from the Word, not trying to argue nor prove, nor convince or convict anyone, but simply expound and explain the scriptures, suggesting ways of applying God's truths to our everyday walk with the Lord. An example of this first part is in Nehemiah 8:7-8. The second part then is adding the suggesting part as we are in closer community and fewer in number then those Levites.

      So what is the best marketing for a product that isn't sellable by it's glamour? The best way seems like testimonials. The congregation should be braggers of how studying the Word has effected their life and why they are sold on it. Their enthusiasm for their church should be overflowing and contagious. This is the best way to bring in those we know need to hear what the Word has to say not just what a preacher has to say.

      Do people know why they like their church? Is the answer to why they like their church reasons other than how it has impacted their relationship with Christ?

      Know your product.

Faith Memories

I still remember the morning as clear as if it was yesterday. Lying
on the bottom bunk of cabin 5, early on a Sunday morning in July, the
concrete floor cold and sandy. That morning at camp I told God that
I wanted to follow Him and make Him the center of my life. As
someone who at a younger age had prayed the sinner's prayer, I had
just come to the point where I realized it wasn't enough to hide Him
in my heart, but I had to actively move myself aside and truly make
Him Lord of my life.

That may have been 24 years ago but it is still a very powerful
memory for me. It was my first full summer of being at camp. I was
surrounded by people that took their faith very seriously and were
searching for how it should infuse every part of their life. Being
away from the comforts of home, time with new people for extended
periods, and a setting that focused on God's greatness are all major
pieces the Holy Spirit used to bring about change in me. These are
some of the same components still available today for every camper
and retreat participant that comes to camp.