Seriously, all that marketing jargon reminded me of the days when we would attend all sorts of Christian conferences - leadership, evangelism, church-growth, you name it. We've been to gender specific, age-specific, ministry specific, evangelistic-specific, and all sorts of other large group gatherings where the goal was training and encouragement and pumping up as we walk through this journey we call the church-life. And yes, we did sleep through some of those sessions, too (I remember sleeping through a whole concert of a rock/rap group at a youth conference in the Tacoma Dome).
I thought for a while that the marketing company was copying what the church was doing - almost to the point of saying that involvement with the company was a religion. But after further thought and discussion with a good friend of mine - I realized that it's actually the church, specifically the church in America, that is copying the methods of the marketing companies. In its quest to become successful just like these corporations, churches all over this country are importing methods, techniques and even philosophies of successful sales strategies, corporate expansion programs and leadership principles from the private industry. True, some of those methods are simply due to human nature - like regardless of what you are selling or promoting, nobody's going to believe you unless you yourself believe in the product. Who would want to try your vitamin if you're not using it and benefiting from it yourself? In the same way, who would believe that Jesus does deliver if you yourself haven't been delivered from your bondages?
But I think that if the Church of Jesus Christ would stop for a second and realize that they actually have the best 'product' that can be marketed, they wouldn't need to resort to some of the methods that marketing companies use today. We do not have to beg people to use our product, nor do we have to 'put a carrot on a stick' or create opportunities to 'hook' people into church life. If the gospel is true and alive in our lives and if our testimony is consistent and real, its effects should be evident and they should attract people because those effects are exactly what everyone needs and what everyone wants.
I mean, who doesn't need assurance of an eternity with God and peace with the divine? Who doesn't want to be surrounded by people who love them regardless of who they are and what they've done? Who wouldn't want to be a part of saving lives drowning in poverty and disease and environmental destruction? What kind of person would reject love and peace and joy that doesn't come from material wealth?
The life of a follower of Christ offers all these and so much more - and the best part of it is that unlike any corporate marketing plan, there is no cost to join the system. All you need is faith. so don't think that you have to resort to the same tactics that sales people and corporate entrepreneurs do to bring in more customers. All you have to do is be a product of the product (i.e. show the effects of your faith in your life) and people will ask you what you're taking. Then you tell them!
So just sign the papers and order your next 3 months worth of Spiritual feeding...for free. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!
:)
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