Church Marketing Sucks

by Danette Griffith, Guest Blogger

A Multi-Site Church Road Trip is for leaders in the church who read A Multi-Site Church Revolution and thought, “Wow, this could be us.” This follow-up narrative answers the question, “Is this really what we should do?” It delves down into the major issues a multi-site church must consider. It was an easy, yet thought-provoking read, and it was fun to “travel” around to different multi-site churches.

The value of this book is that the three authors visited over 100 multi-site campuses to conduct interviews and organized surveys. What more do you want? The research is done. The authors themselves were not afraid to use the mistakes they had made in their churches as examples. In fact, the hidden treasure in this book in the short chapter, “Multi-Site Roadkill.” For some, learning what a multi-site church is not clarifies what it is.

Many pastors already know they want a multi-site church. Once they’ve come to this point, this book is a great way to confirm their vision. The book is worth the money simply for the description of what makes a great campus pastor. Pastors should read this and ask themselves, “Is this me?” And if so, begin the work.

I was working in a large congregation when the question came up about additional sites. At the time, it was in pure reaction to the growth in the suburbs. I don’t remember that we ever asked the question of why we wanted to do it. This book powerfully reminds us that it’s not about growth strategy but about how to meet the needs of more communities.

The authors emphasize the need for “high capacity volunteers.” While working in a large congregation, I believe this was one of areas we excelled. I remember a banker who began attending the church, realized he wanted to be a more active follower of Jesus and became one of the church’s most effective business managers. Through his contacts and expertise, we were a fiscally healthy congregation.

Today’s church staffs are not just the pastor, the secretary and the organist. Today we need professionals in communication, marketing, education and business, to name just a few. Surratt, Ligon and Bird recognize this and support it.

“By 2010, 10 percent of Americans will rely exclusively on the Internet for their religious experience.” This prediction by the Barna Research Group, took this technology immigrant completely by surprise. But think of all the possibilities! The ideas on what an international campus could look like opened the world to me in rethinking how mission can happen.

After 20 years in nonprofit communications, I am grateful we continue to reshape the method of communicating our faith.