Comments on: Hating Church Marketing (And how God invented it.)

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:27:55 +0000

(Consider this)
I think the thoughts expressed here are mostly appropriate, but I think you’re not responding to the issue behind the issue here. Whereas treated the science of marketing itself as a malicious and odious discipline which undermines the purity and legitimacy of the church, you defined marketing as a tool that is used whenever one persuades another to participate in the purchase of a product/service or anything else. I first off disagree that all persuasive communication should be called “marketing.” If you make a term ubiquitous, you start to take away its usefulness.
I also would suggest the distinction that marketing is a tool that can be used to express meaning legitimately, or illegitimately. The distinction is made clear in your very article, because when companies use marketing, they’re attempting to persuade a target customer that their product has value to them. Harley Davidson state that their mission is to convince the target market that their product will provide the following “the joy of individualism, the chance to be free, to make choices; the commitment to adventure, the opportunity to change, to discover new experiences and emotions; the reward of fulfillment, an intense, personal and consuming bond with the bike that means a richer fuller life.” However, we know that the transcendent implications of these claims are false, as it is said, “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity, a chasing after the wind.” But that is how they will market nonetheless.
So my point is not to say that marketing is illegitimate in itself, but I do accuse the church of using it illegitimately. Because in order to marketing to be honest, it has to express as accurately as possible the true, objective value of whatever the marketer is trying to convey. But if a particular church advertizes itself as a place of spiritual growth, where there’s real meaning, and it’s congregation is too young and immature to help the people who come there, then that marketing is a lie.
To sum up, I don’t think that the discipline and art of marketing is in itself dangerous or damaging to the church. Nevertheless, many Christians and non-believers fall victim to false advertizing, even when the intent is sincere.

By: Joe Woolworth

Joe Woolworth — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:39:09 +0000

I agree we already are marketing something. I think the problem is we think marketing and selling are the same thing. Something sounds dirty about selling the gospel, but marketing is drawing attention to something like a lamp on a table or a city on a hill. Our marketing is meant to be seen. Of course I may be a bit bias since my blog is named http://marketingjesus.net maybe.

By: kcarson

kcarson — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:51:49 +0000

We have a blog that we hope will encourage churches to utilize proper effective church marketing techniques. Hope this can help some people: http://blog.ncbaptist.org/creativeteam/

By: Haley

Haley — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 04:34:52 +0000

I have been going through your archives and I really like the part about replacing "Harley Davidson" with "God" Here's another fun game… http://www.sloganizer.net/en/

This website replaces words from advertising campaigns with whatever word you type in.

Type in Jesus. It comes up with some good stuff. So far my favorite is "Jesus. The power on your side"

By: SomeYungGuy

SomeYungGuy — Thu, 27 May 2010 02:16:38 +0000

In references to those of you who hate advertising churches, my question would be: if you attend a church or are employed by a church (small "c" church – meaning the building not the body of believers) and you feel your church can help people grow in Christ as well as any other church, how are you to get the word out that you exist without advertising in some way? Whether you have word of mouth advertising, you hand out cool water bottles with your church address on it, or whether you have a nice sign by the road, you have to find some way to let people know you are there.

If you got a good deal on snow tires at Goodyear, would you want to let others know about it?

If you ate at a fantastic restaurant, would you feel free to talk about your wonderful meal?

If you are getting spiritually moved by a particular church, why not talk about it? For fear of advertising?

By: thoughtriver

thoughtriver — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:54:10 +0000

I could not agree more. Marketing is necessary. It is good. Like everything else, however, there is a right and a wrong way. I also like Rob Bell, just throwing that out there, even though some stuff he believes gives me the heebie jeebies

By: Alan Boyer

Alan Boyer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:49:22 +0000

People have developed such a poor view of "marketing" that even today when it's done for a business it's looked down on. However, when it IS done correctly it isn't a negative, it's a way of letting people find what they are looking for rather than what I want to sell to them. When marketing is done that way, it's in the best interest of everyone.

Now, I believe God said "spread the word" so, if we aren't marketing we aren't spreading the word, and not living up to what we are supposed to do. So, spread the word!!!! Market what you have to share with others.

In fact, I wrote an article showing that there are 33,000 people a month looking for a church right here in Kansas City. And, frankly, churches who will stand up in front of that 33,000 will immediately be exposed to 33,000 more people every month. Those that aren't standing up to market aren't being found and aren't doing those 33,000 any favors.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:30:11 +0000

Church marketing? Ok. I agree with that. What I am against is Church advertising. It may be a matter of splitting hairs, but there is a marginal difference.

By: savinggrc

savinggrc — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:52:00 +0000

I think, Jon, that the point isn’t about marketing as much as it is about Christians in America (esp public figures) trying to “sound” more spiritual than they really are. Church marketing makes me sick, but if it fills my pockets, hey, I’m all for it. Raping children makes me puke, but it’s okay if I go 90 in a 25 mph school zone. Same-same.

really.

By: Prodigal Jon

Prodigal Jon — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:30:00 +0000

John -
Great point. I think you are completely right about me having a bias when it comes to marketing, given my background. That is honestly a good point.

As far as Rob and marketing, I have to disagree with your idea that Rob doesn't participate in advertising. He goes on book tours. In the world of writing, this is perhaps the biggest form of marketing you can do. Which I think is great. I think Rob Bell does some great things. I don't fault him for advertising.

Honestly, I think he's doing some really cool stuff. He just made an extreme sentence that wasn't explained in the book I pulled it from. The sentence after the one I referenced had nothing to do with explaining his feelings on church marketing. The sentences before were about not liking flyers and signs. But that doesn't explain anything so what happens is that people take that out of context and refuse to market their church because someone they really love said it makes them sick.

Again, I think Rob does really interesting stuff and I don't fault him for his thoughts on marketing. I just think he's involved in marketing
Jon