Church Marketing Sucks

As Virginia Tech and all of America continue to mourn and grieve, the church has begun to respond. In instances like this where there is little physical and monetary relief to provide, the primary responsibility of the church is obviously to be the hands of God–to bind up the broken-hearted and heal their wounds. Through love, prayer and godly counsel. Here’s a little insight to how the church is responding so far …

• New Life Christian Fellowship posts prayers and encouragements.
• Gateway Ministries church sends 15 people on a four hour ride to offer comfort.

• Nansemond River Baptist Church comforts victim’s family.
• VT Campus Crusade posts photos of prayer vigils.
• John Piper’s 21 ways to minister to those who are suffering.
• The Southern Baptist Convention mobilizes disaster relief.
• Believers send in aid and prayers.
• Todd Rhoades links to more steps churches are taking.

A lot of people are struggling with how to deal with this and what to do in response. Previous tragedies have been much more tactile–send money, volunteer or send goods. This time, however, things are different. Our support involves a lot of trust and a lot of prayer. It’s nearly impossible to imagine the word “marketing” at a time like this. Churches near Blacksburg are disconcerned with marketing themselves or attracting crowds–as they should be.

And perhaps that’s the best marketing of all–the church simply doing what it’s called to do.