Recently, Brad Abare asked you to pick one. Richard Reising had the same thing to say in different words in a post on Beyond Relevance. The article is a great read, and it exhaustively explores the ideas Brad discussed succinctly. Here’s a hair of what he has to say, but take a few minutes to read his entire post. It will be well worth your time.
Every church has strengths at reaching a “type” of people in its community. While that might strike you as unjust, its truth defines both our strengths and the areas we need to grow in. Whether you are a church that is known for young families, old money, the upper-class, the working-class or the struggling-class–whether you are known for deep followers, surface seekers, empty nesters or down-and-outers—there are tendencies to whom you draw.
Rick Wilson
June 16, 2009
WOW! This is great stuff!
For years I have gone back and forth in a career that has plugged into Advertising/Marketing and Production (radio/TV/print) while also spending time as a Media Director in churches and non-profits. In the “secular” (a word I hate) world I saw how successful companies were when they knew who they were reaching.
My sales managers and creative directors would always advise me to “get into their” heads and it always worked. In fact, the current buzzword in marketing circles is the “micro target,” going beyond demographics to define a clear audience profile.
But in the church/non-profit world – there is this mind set that it’s too “worldly” to know who we’re reaching. Paul – who worked and traveled within many communities as an apostle – has been misinterpreted in this context in his “all things to all men” statement. He approached churches and people groups differently (“to the Jews I became like a …”) and knew the value of that.
Thanks for the article – great therapy – I know I’m not crazy!!
iHateChurch
June 16, 2009
:: Rick :: nice word “micro/target” will utilize ::
Patrick Fowler
June 19, 2009
This is great. I’ve known this for such a long time, and yet I find that Christians have a very hard time accepting this fact.
Why can’t we be happy knowing that different churches attract different people? Why can’t we use that knowledge to fuel us in partnering with other local churches to make sure that everyone has a church home?