Very well said. Chuches sometimes seem to take that idea of "all things to all people" to the 10,000,000th degree. It seems like we could be so much more effective if we would focus on what we are, or what we are becoming instead of having a __________ department because the church down the street has one and look what its done for them.

My favorite example of not acting like your marketing is the now-ubiquitious "purpose statements" and "vision statements." Thanks to some well-marketed books, many churches now have yet another committee meeting to come up with some drivel like, "First Church exists to lovingly win sinners to Christ by living his example in a Spirit-filled way." Nothing wrong with such a statement, but it rarely describes the congregation in any way shape or form: an example of marketing what we wish we were. A more honest statement would be: "At Christ's Church of the Beautiful Bay Valley Community Fellowship, we want to build the biggest building in the county, manage a multi-million dollar budget, have a parking lot bigger than the mall, and get our preacher to publish a book that will make him a household name in evangelical circles." To be honest, I would rather see some truth that would reflect most churches in America: "At First Church of the Denomination, we are a church that is trying to overcome our differences and inadequacies to somehow reach the lost in our community because we are honestly concerned about their eternal destiny, but we're not really sure how to do it and we often fail to show Christ's love... but we really do love Christ and the lost." That would be refreshing.

why dont we turn our 'marketing' budgets into outreach and benevolence budgets?

Marketing can be used in a great way for a local church, not just all the negative talk.. granted their are some negative things that can be focused on, we could miss the mark because of "Sucky Church Marketing"... I had a couple walk into my church this past Sunday because of our website. Now that couple has the seed planted, unsaved and married young they heard the gospel message and now know what it means to except Christ. Marketing works, you just have to focus on God nothing he is in "Sucks".

i think i'd rather be interested than interesting.

Hello, this is my first time to your site and I have to admit it has been a very interesting journey. I have found it to be very helpful in answering questions that I had about marketing in relation to the church. Being from a small church with martketing issues, this site has given me fresh ideas and renewed vigor in our endeavor to market successfully. Thank you and keep up the good work! jjw

Something that hit me when I read the comment earlier about "instead of having a __________ department because the church down the street has one and look what its done for them."

It reminded me of a saying:

DO NOT follow in the footsteps of those before you that have succeeded, rather seek what they sought and make your own footprints. For to follow in anothers footsteps is an impossible and profitless task. You can not do what they did or walk as they walked. But you CAN seek what they sought.