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April 2008
I just received my new
copy of The Christian Century. In it was an interesting
discussion of church marketing. Church growth folks have been
talking about marketing the church for at least twenty years now.
There have been many discussions about the difference between sales
and marketing.
Sales, we have been told,
is about convincing people that they need what you have. Marketing,
on the other hand, is about figuring out what people need and then
providing those things. This marketing approach has led churches
into contemporary worship, rock and roll bands, coffee bars,
aerobics classes, “family friendly” experiences, sports teams, and a
thousand other different programs and opportunities to meet the
needs of those who have no church home or experience.
This article’s author
believes that churches have missed something very important. He
said that if church people were doing their jobs, there would be no
need for church marketing.
What is our job, you
might ask. My guess is that every member of this church has contact
each day with many people who do not have a church home. Perhaps it
is your neighbor. Perhaps it is the student who sits beside you in
class. Perhaps it is the wait staff at your favorite restaurant.
Perhaps it is a co-worker. Perhaps it is your own adult children.
How often do we pass up
the chance to invite someone to Calvary? When is the last time you
intentionally invited someone to come to church with you?
The Great Commission of
Matthew 28:19 gives us our marching orders. “Go therefore and make
disciples…” As I read those words, they don’t strike me as a
suggestion, but a call to action.
The next time you are
present at Sunday morning worship, look around and notice that there
is plenty of room for your friends and neighbors. We are all
baptized members of this church. It is time that we began to act
like it. Have you been doing your job?
* * * * * *
* * * * * *
Don’t forget to welcome
Jason Fishburn to Calvary as the new Director of the Sanctuary
Choir. Jason is a 2001 graduate of Ball State University with a
degree in Choral Music Education. He brings a high level of
enthusiasm and passion to this position.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
I will be on vacation
from March 24 through April 7. If there is a pastoral emergency,
call Christie in the church office. One of my colleagues will be
“on-call.” Christie will be able to direct to that pastor.
See you in church.
Scott
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