Being the Church Marketing

While I was visiting family during the Christmas week, I saw a vinyl banner hanging from a chain link fence surrounding a church yard which read, "Coming Soon THE BARN Christian Fellowship." I couldn't help but try to think of what kind of person would go to a church called "THE BARN"? That is kind of the point to naming a church THE BARN. It is a marketing ploy. From what I know of the church, it is close to folding. I am assuming they think that re-branding their church with a name that is more seeker friendly will help it grow.

I think this is an unfortunate turn for the modern American church. Most are marketing heavy churches dependent upon American consumers. Churches come up with slick marketing themes for various church ministries, catchy logos, church mission statements, entertainment driven worship, and many various other marketing ploys to fill the seats. All of this is designed to reach Americans dedicated to making sure their needs are met when going to a business. This is understandable. If I spend my money somewhere, I want to get the best value for my dollar. Is this something that churches need to appeal to? Do churches want people to come in and feel comfortable, secure, cared for, and loved? Yes. Do churches need people who will join and begin serving as volunteers in their church to meet these stated ministry goals? Yes. My question then becomes, do churches, when appealing to the consumer side of individuals, make reaching their goals more difficult?

Think of it in this way; churches put great money, time, and effort in making their ministries look appealing and better than a competing church. Those drawn to these churches come in looking mainly to have their spiritual needs met. They are not looking for a place to serve. How then will churches get a group of people to serve to meet the needs of others by appealing to their consumer side to draw them in?

While driving down the road, I heard the speaker on the radio mention the angels in the Christmas story. I laughed out loud when he said the angels "weren't seeker friendly." He pointed to the fact that the angels weren't there to help the shepherds through a rough patch in life, they were there to share the good news. They came glorifying God and the Son that was just born. In my mind, I can't help but contrast the two approaches.

As the Church, Christians are called to care for and meet the needs of others. They are called to help each other walk through this life in such a way that those outside the church walls see it and desire it. The Church has failed at doing this. Maybe this is why church logos, marketing schemes, and promotions are needed to get people to come. For clarity sake, let me say that I believe that organization, leadership, and outreach communication is necessary for churches to touch the community and bring people in. I think, unfortunately, that those inside the walls of the church believe more in the marketing power of videos, slogans, modern technology, and slick promotional schemes than the power of Christ working in us to reach the lost, help the hurting, and grow the Church.