The Delmarva Daily Times recently discussed church marketing and included our very own Brad Abare. You should check it out.
The article discusses religious leaders choosing “new” ways to advertise. And by new, they particularly focus on billboards. They go into the differences in advertising between Christians, Jews and Muslims, and they even mention the naked pastor. Their main discussion, however, is the increased spending and emphasis on advertising.
Brad has this to say in the article:
“The advertising shift might worry graying members of the church, but the change is essential for the church to stay relevant … I think we’ve messed it up in the church over the last couple thousand years. Look, you’ve got the greatest story ever told and if you hide it, sit on it and just go to church every weekend, you’re not doing enough … Advertise by design, not default. Don’t just go along hoping people will get it. Get intentional–that’s the challenge.”
Read the full article here.
Kurt Michaelson
October 4, 2007
It is sad to see some churches resorting to advertising in the community with poster lawn signs, rather than training members of the congregation for evangelizing the community and beyond.
I believe the pastor is at fault for not providing the necessary training to a congregation and instead invests in advertising the church saying, “Hey, we’re here for you!”
Jesus said, “Go and preach the Gospel” (Mark 16:15). Wherever Paul went he preached Christ (Acts 8:5, 9:20, Romans 15:19, 2 Cor 1:19, Phil 1:18). Even Philip preached Christ to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:34-35).
The apostle Paul didn’t advertise himself or his ministry, nor did he put on a drama show for people to come to Christ. He and others preached Christ and today, if the Gospel was proclaimed properly, then the Spirit of God would draw people into conviction and repentance of their sins.
This is an article I hope more ministers will closely examine whether or not they are biblically fulfilling the Great Commission and not trying to replace it with another form of evangelism.
The church should be sending people into the world to preach the Gospel, not marketing itself to fill seats in the sanctuary.
Cathy
September 10, 2008
Is there a link to this full article somewhere that still works? I would very much like to read it. Thank you!
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August 14, 2009
I think we put too much into the same types of advertising. I mean billboards are great but we need to be doing more! It doesn’t even have to cost much.