After five-and-a-half years of Church Marketing Sucks, we thought it was about time to check your feelings on the state of church marketing–where we’ve been and where we’re going. Here’s what you had to say:
41% of you think we’re inching forward with a long road ahead. You think some churches are finally starting to get it, but there are plenty of folks out there who aren’t on the boat yet, or they’re just missing the point. And 20% of you are even a bit more optimistic. You see bigger steps in the right direction, and you’re getting really excited about it.
Another 27% of you think not much headway has been made, but the fight must go on. Churches, for whatever reason, still aren’t getting it, but we shouldn’t give up. We ought to keep trying to help.
Next up are those 11% of you who aren’t on board with the idea that churches should be marketing. Are you sitting on the fence on it? Do you just read Church Marketing Sucks to get your blood boiling?
And finally, a paltry 2% see a 180 degree turn around. Given the size of that number, it looks like we have a lot of work to do on the road ahead!
We’d love to hear you comment on some of the ways you’ve seen church marketing move forward and some encouraging signs you’ve noticed. It’s always good to celebrate these victories together.
And this week, we’re looking to hear: How has your church developed a social media strategy?
Julian
February 18, 2010
In 2000 and 2001 I researched and wrote my master’s thesis (in public relations) on church communications. Mostly it was original research because there were almost no books or previous research and absolutely no Web sites on the topic. Sometimes I feel I should write version 2 of the thesis. (But if I play video games long enough the feeling goes away.) Church marketing has come a long way in a decade. Some churches are doing cutting-edge communications and most have left the black-and-white clip art era. Quality is much improved.
Kevin
February 18, 2010
Of course the best marketing tool around is what happens during and because of the worship hour.
That said, the single biggest leap forward in future church marketing would be the complete and total annihilation of signs in front of church buildings that contain stupid sayings. We’ve all seen them. These things are like beacons to the unchurched that scream, “small minded and stupid people meet here. don’t come inside.”
Chuck
February 19, 2010
What you mean,
“CH__CH, what’s missing? U R!”
Doesn’t scream gospel centered outreach/message with intelligence and wit?