In part one of “Is Church Marketing a Sin” I talked about if the problem of marketing a church is wrong or a sin. While I came to the conclusion that marketing in and of itself is not sinful and that the Bible verse I have heard used in arguments against this topic doesn’t address this issue, it makes me wonder why so many people reject or have spoken out about church marketing.
I think this may be for three main reasons: worldliness, jealousy, or because some church communication efforts are just plain cheesy. Here’s a quick breakdown on each reason:
Worldliness. I understand that some church members and Christians view using the tools of the world as evil or that we are supposed to be in the world but not of it but this does not apply to this situation because these methods or tools can be used for God’s glory. God gave us talented people whose purpose is to tell His Story through art, design, media, storytelling, etc. If the focus is Jesus than are we really being worldly? I believe Paul would have considered blogging or direct mail to build the Kingdom. Don’t you?
Jealousy. I think that there are Christians who are envious of other Christian’s work or success and they become bitter about it. I shamefully admit that I have acted this way in the past. A person I know became wildly successful with an idea we had discussed and I become so jealous that I bad mouthed their business and the person. I did seek forgiveness and the relationship has been restored but it did cause a lot of pain. Unfortunately we are susceptible to these types of temptations and we should be happy when God gets the glory even if it means a church has better media stuff than we do.
Cheesiness. I think this is the big issue. There is a lot of crap when it comes to secular marketing and there is an equal amount when it pertains to church communications as well. I have seen brochures, advertising, and websites that just reek like Lindberg cheese. They look like materials that a snake-oil salesman would use and definitely reflect no emphasis on giving their best to God. I understand that not all churches have the budget, talent, or knowledge to have nice stuff. And in no way am I saying a church that has 1960’s brochures cannot be effective at reaching people with God’s Word. I think some people are turned off by bad marketing…but this can also go to the other extreme.
There are churches who have placed all their trust and money into looking uber-hip or being so slick that theiR communication tools look like you are going on a carnival cruise or trip to Disney World. There are even a few innovative” churches who are really pushing the edge on what may be acceptable and not acceptable for Christian marketing – such as using sex to sell a message or draw people in. I am all for discussing all aspects of scripture including sex, but I don’t think we need to use sexy images or innuendos to preach the Gospel. That is a sin.
I propose a balance. I believe that we can glorify Jesus Christ and His Church through excellence in media. We can take it up a notch and do our best to tell His story in a way that resonates with our culture including marketing and design! However, I also believe that we need to understand and remember that it is Jesus that transforms lives and not our marketing, worship experience, or dazzling media display and if we start placing our trust in these tools as a savior, taking them to the extreme, or idolizing these methods in any way then we can be justified in saying that this is a sin.
Filed under: Church Branding, Church Marketing, Church Websites | Tagged: Church Marketing, sinful marketing
Been reading for a while now. Just wanted to say good job.
Chris Tackett
Thanks Chris!
There’s a real danger that in an effort to appear ‘cool’, or ‘current’, churches will not be able to produce materials that effectively communicate the Word to new people. Cleverly designed outreach printing is all very well, but it means nothing when style is placed above substance.
@ Chris T – Thanks!
@ Chris J – I agree that there is a danger when churches place media over the ministry. Churches can still be effective at communicating the Word without the help of modern day stuff but it does help to use these tools in a culture where we are accustomed to such type of media. We must always keep the focus on Jesus.
BTW – I removed the link to the business you had in there as I felt it was not relevant to the conversation. Sorry!
Great post. I agree with the comments. I have a degree in marketing and I am a missionary and a pastor. To tell you the truth the truth you wouldl be surprised how much of my job is marketing.
I think marketing get’s so much defined as selling. No one wants to sell and the idea of selling something in church to make a profit is unacceptable in the minds of most. But to me marketing is not selling as much as good communicating.
If the announcement of the churches activities this end of the week is not actually thought out as to if it is communicating effectively then people will not come.
If the message on Sunday is not prepared effectively then people will sleep during the message.
If we look at it as the process of better communicating our ministries God given vision it can be a tool that helps us do our best.
Of course Jesus is involved in every step of the way.
Also agree with your comment on chessy church marketing. The majority of it needs a lot of prayer just to say the least.
Great question and discussion in Part 1 & 2.
Until a few months ago I was a pastor for 19 years and heard every possible argument against every possible innovation in the church.
My take on this issue is that the word “marketing” sounds secular or unspiritual, and so many church people are living with the dualistic worldview that causes them to see anything that isn’t expliclty biblical (ie: there is a chapter and verse proof text) or anchored in years of tradition, as wrong for the church.
Examples I have dealt with firsthand include a resistance to: drums, goal setting, and using nails or power tools in a church construction project (something about Solomon’s temple being built in silence…)
All dictionary definitions aside, marketing and PR are inseparable. So when a congregant is a jerk in the checkout line at the grocery store, or helps their neighbor in a crisis, or raises their children in a certain way, and it is known they are connected to a church or simply consider themselves “Christian”, they are marketing.
So, as alluded to by some comments, the issue isn’t whether we market or not, the issue is whether we market well or poorly. And, the most powerful form of marketing for the church, for good or for ill, is the conduct of those who are seen to belong to it.
A cheesy add for a church full of people with a good reputation will be more effective than a professional marketing campaign for an assembly of nasties!
Post Script: Paul’s decision to minister in major hub cities of the Roman Empire was a marketing decision, as was his “all things to all men to save some.”
Hi James,
I’ve just come across your blog – nice work. I’ve just launched a new site to help churches and Christian ministries use technology and the internet better. Check out http://www.communicatejesus.com.
I think this is a great topic and a question I have asked myself. Our church over the past year has been reaching out into the community using door hangers, sending postcards to friends and families of members of our church and handing out business cards with our church info on to people we meet. I have put together a website with some outreach ideas we are using at our church. They have been very effective so far. http://www.time2reach.org Based on this blog I would love some feedback on the materials we are sending out. Also, ways we may be able to improve what we are doing now or maybe some ideas on how we can reach out in other ways. I want to reach as many people as I can for Christ. Thank you for your input.