Church Marketing Sucks

Summer is a great time to kick back with a book. Here are some summer reading suggestions that will help you improve your church communication.

Pursuing Christ. Creating Art.: Exploring Art at the Intersection of Faith and Creativity by Gary Molander (read our review)
I would absolutely recommend it to any church comm person out there. Loved it and the way that it addressed the creative spirit inside of us. Have tried to share it with every creative person I know since I finished it. –Adam Legg

Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking by Andy Sernovitz
We’re discussing this book with a few of our ministry leaders. The concepts are simple, but spurring lots of ideas for all of us. –Lori Bailey

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
Insightful in team building, communication and collective goal setting. A must read in any leadership role. –James Martin

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon (read our review)
Just the creative kick in the pants you need on a lazy summer day. –Kevin D. Hendricks

Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson and Melissa Rach
Content is key, and understanding how to know what content to create, publish, promote frees people up to work on creating content that matter.  In a church where there can be so much going on, this book can provide a framework for you to use. –Drew Goodmanson

UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging. by Scott Stratten
UnMarketing is an easy read that will make you re-think strategy. Though written for the marketplace, it is very applicable to churches—who should be engaging more than marketing anyway. Stop broadcasting and start dialoging.  –Cleve Persinger

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
I’m in the middle of this one and loving it—I’m a sucker for brain geekery. It explains how we form habit patterns, and, more importantly, how we can change or adapt them. –Lori Bailey

Love Does by Bob Goff
Great reminder for us as people who are in the communication business that our lives communicate, and we would do well to let it start with us. -Brad Abare

You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins
A shot in the arm for writers who have a hard time calling themselves writers. Full of practical takeaways for beginners and pros. –Kevin D. Hendricks

Wooden On Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization by John Wooden
Anything John Wooden is a great read. Really like his Pyramid of Success and real world examples and practical tools. –James Martin

What’s on your summer reading list? Take our poll >>