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June 29, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Still Celebrating!

(Filed under: Peer Review)

Well, next week we'll return to our regularly scheduled programming, but this week, we reached 2,000 submissions in the Church Marketing Lab! Another milestone; thanks so much to you guys for helping us get here. There's no way the Church Marketing Lab could thrive so vitally without the efforts of our CMS readers, so make sure to keep it up, and head on over to check out some of the stuff that's been going up this week:

A promo for a series on marriage.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Still Celebrating!"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:21 AM
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June 26, 2007

Now, Discover Your Strengths: Using Your Strengths in a Faults-Oriented World

(Filed under: Reviews)

About six months ago, I started a book with the intention of reviewing it here. Today, I finish that journey. That's not, however, a shot at the quality of the book.

In Now, Discover Your Strengths, Marcus Buckingham enumerates his theory that it's better to spend energy maximizing your strengths than to spend energy trying to fix your weaknesses.

The Good:
The theory in and of itself is brilliant. Many of you have probably heard his example that a child comes home with his report card. He has an A in English, a B in math, an A in social studies, and a D in science. What do his parents do? They chastise or make efforts to work on his science grade.

Continue reading "Now, Discover Your Strengths: Using Your Strengths in a Faults-Oriented World"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:59 AM
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Favorite Poll Poll Results

(Filed under: Poll Results)

I'm not a statistics whiz by any means. I'm not licensed to analyze poll results. Gallup has never contacted me about a job. I'm pretty sure, however, that 62 responses is not a very solid sample size. To celebrate our 100th poll, I managed to write a question that only 62 people responded to ... thus, I apologize. Moving on.

Last week, we wanted to know which of our polls you liked the best, and 37% of you agreed that Profanity Vanity was the best poll in our history. People love a little profanity in their lives. Another 31% of you most enjoyed our poll on Crummy Clever Church Signs.

A tie came in at numbers three and four for our Worship Technology poll and Church Plant poll at 13% of you. Finally, 2% of you (or 1.25 of you) best liked How Long Have You Checked Us Out?

The moral of the story? Write polls with lower barriers to entry. You guys don't want to click on each of those links to see which poll was best. You don't want to have to rack your brain to remember which was which. Well, 62 of you do, but the rest don't.

So we'll give it another shot this week. Look just to the right and tell us whether you are a member of our Church Marketing Lab.

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:55 AM
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June 25, 2007

Great Expectations: What's It to You?

(Filed under: Peer Review)

Imagine this with me: A message series with two-fold aim. The first aim is to travel through a book of the Bible in linear fashion. The second aim is to develop the themes of the book, as they emerge, into a message series. It might look like so, based on the book of Luke and a theme of "Great Expectations:"

• Luke 7:1-10 and called "Building Expectations."
• Luke 7:11-17 and called "Raising Expectations."
• Luke 7:18-35 and called "Grounding Expectations."
• Luke 7:36-50 and called "Exceeding Expectations."
• Luke 8:1-3 and called "Expectations Restored."

Continue reading "Great Expectations: What's It to You?"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:01 AM
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June 22, 2007

The End of Static Logos

(Filed under: Brand & Identity)

I read an interesting piece from across the pond recently; British blogger Johnson Banks begins "It's official. The age of the static brand is coming to an end ... "

In his post, he discusses logos that change to meld with their environment, to reflect current events, or merely to exist as different works of art. Long ago, this was a big no-no. Your logo was your logo was your logo. Obviously, the most striking example of this active logo is Google. Check out their gallery of logos.

Continue reading "The End of Static Logos"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:17 AM
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Church Marketing Lab: Celebration!

(Filed under: Peer Review)

We made it! A thousand members! Thanks so much to everyone who is a part of the Church Marketing Lab. It's been an incredible run so far, and I think the church has seen fruit from your cooperation and synergy. We're pretty down-to-earth guys here at CMS, so I guess it's time to hunker down, push to 2,000, and celebrate how we know best--by showing you what's been up in the Church Marketing Lab this week, so we've got a few logos and an ad for you!

Babyspot is working on a new nursery logo.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Celebration!"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:58 AM
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June 21, 2007

Ask a Kevin

(Filed under: News & Updates)

If you've been around Church Marketing Sucks for a while you probably know the name Kevin D. Hendricks. He's our chief blogger and the labs director for our nonprofit parent, the Center for Church Communication.

Lately, however, there haven't been as many original posts from Kevin as he spends more time fixing my mistakes, juggling behind-the-scenes projects and dating his wife (I made that up, but I hope he can find the time). In a previous post, he called out creative thinkers and asked, "Where's the Church's 'Ask A Ninja?'" Well, I don't know where it is, or if it is, but I thought it might be time to present an interview with our chief blogger, Ask a Kevin.

Continue reading "Ask a Kevin"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:16 AM
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June 20, 2007

8 (Or So) Questions About Your Church Signage

(Filed under: First Impressions & Beyond)

by Brenton Balvin, Guest Blogger

When I was 10 years old there was a song by Tesla that was rocking the airwaves called "Signs." All my friends and I loved the song. You are probably thinking of the chorus right now...

Signs Signs everywhere there's signs Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind Do this, don't do that, Can't you read the sign

Continue reading "8 (Or So) Questions About Your Church Signage"

Posted by Guest Blogger at 9:50 AM
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June 19, 2007

Keeping A Church Poll Results

(Filed under: Poll Results)

This week we asked what it would take to keep you returning to a church that you visited. This was our third part in a semi-series about leaving and finding a new church. Here’s how you finished up the series:

The leading factor in returning to a church is its authenticity. If you can trust them, you'll stay around. 32% of you say authenticity would keep you coming back. Slightly less of you, 27%, would come back based on the teaching of the pastor.

15% of you would keep coming back based on the members--how engaging they are, how fun they are and the like. And 12% of you want a church with solid worship music. Singing to God obviously gets you fired up, and that's what would keep you at a church.

Only 5% of you would focus primarily on what the church brings to your children, and only 2% on what programs the church offers. I'll be honest, these numbers are surprisingly low to me. 7% of you said that 'Something Else' would keep you coming back.

So it looks like most often, based on the last three weeks, most of you leave church because they forsake scripture for relevance, find a new church by checking the web site of local churches and keep coming back based on the authenticity of the church. That's purely scientific, of course.

Let us know in the comments if these three weeks surprised you or affirmed what you believe. Also, what did we leave out? This week, we celebrate our 100th poll! Make sure to weigh in!

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:06 PM
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Where Should A New Church Meet?

(Filed under: Building Design)

We've talked here on CMS before about church buildings.

Recently Drew Goodmanson referenced an article by Dr. Ed Stetzer called "Where Should A New Church Meet?"

Continue reading "Where Should A New Church Meet?"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:01 AM
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June 18, 2007

Calling All Financial Minds

(Filed under: Peer Review)

Each week, we try to highlight a discussion from the Church Marketing Lab that needs a little kick start to get going. You guys have been making my job tough. It seems that everyone who brings a question to the group gets flooded with responses. That has two implications,

1. If you have a question, take it there! You'll probably find an answer.
2. If you have some answers, be contributing. The more answers, the more effective!

Over in the Church Marketing Lab this week, user 'hosh' asks about annual financial reports. Last year, his church didn't do a report, but put his information on the web instead. They're getting ready to try a report again, but he's got a philosophical crisis on his hands. Here's his question:

What is the idea or purpose behind your financial report?

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:21 AM
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June 15, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Getting So Close

(Filed under: Peer Review)

To be short and sweet, we're still pushing right at a thousand members for our Church Marketing Lab. Even closer is two thousand pieces of art. Here's four points of entry for you to click on over and help us to those milestones. At the very least, here's four ways you can help the church matter this week by reviewing your peers...

Four Corners Church is preparing a bulletin cover for their "Get Out There" series.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Getting So Close"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:35 AM
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June 13, 2007

Church Seeking Poll Results

(Filed under: Poll Results)

Two weeks ago we asked you why you would ever leave your church. And last week, we continued that with asking how you would go about finding a new church. Here's what you said:

Bringing up the rear, 4% of you would seek a recommendation from staff or members from your previous church. I can see how this number is so small, it'd be a tough thing to do. Slightly more of you, 9% would never want a new church, so the question is irrelevant.

10% of you are tired of trying to find just the right church, so you'll make your own. Kudos to you on taking initiative, but I'd like to hear more about your thoughts and motives. 18% would just start randomly visiting churches. I've tried this myself and ended up in some extremely weird situations.

Coming in second place are the 24% of you who would visit the churches that your friends go to. And in the lead, 35% of you would check out the web site of local churches.

Churches, did you hear that? The number one way people find your church, according to a recent Church Marketing Sucks study, is through your web site. Don't overlook the importance of it.

So we've left church and found a new church, and this week we ask what would make you stick around at that new church. Remember to keep voting this week, and let us know in the comments interesting stories about finding a church.

Posted by Joshua Cody at 5:03 AM
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June 12, 2007

The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

(Filed under: Reviews)

Marketing guru Seth Godin offers a little book (seriously, it's only 76 pages) that tells you when to quit. The Dip is all about quitting what doesn't work and sticking to what does.

The idea is that if you're only mediocre at something and not getting better, spend your time on something you're the best at. Stick to it, and you can outlast the folks who won't stick to it. Thus you've ridden out the dip of the mediocre and you can be the best.

It's an idea we've talked about before of doing what works for your church (though we disagree on it). And that's about it--it's a short book, so it's a short review.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 6:49 AM
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June 11, 2007

Where's the Church on Facebook?

(Filed under: Technology)

If you're plugged into the social networking site Facebook at all you've probably heard about the recent launch of their developer's platform. For the uninformed, basically third party companies can now build applications for Facebook that integrate directly with the Facebook system. This isn't slapping badges onto a MySpace page, this is full-blown interaction with your Facebook friends. Your Facebook friends can now see your Flickr photos, check out your Flixster movie ratings, listen to your Last.fm playlist and interact in new ways.

Bottom line: It's cool (I go on and on about it on my personal blog).

Don't believe me? Check out the Cause application and the 125,416 people who have joined the Save Darfur cause, donating $9,517 since May 24 (as of June 11 at 10:21 a.m. CST).

Continue reading "Where's the Church on Facebook?"

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 8:18 AM
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Making A Good Impression

(Filed under: First Impressions & Beyond)

In lieu of a strikingly original and intensely thought-provoking original work of art, I wanted to give a little link love to an interesting post from Todd Rhoades at Monday Morning Insight. He discusses first impressions in the realm of both web visits and brick-and-mortar visits.

Continue reading "Making A Good Impression"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:11 AM
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June 8, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Vines, Logos, Soccer and Silence

(Filed under: Peer Review)

This week at the Church Marketing Lab, we saw another successful go of things. I love to see images submitted, reviewed and resubmitted, and we saw some of that. We might even highlight some of those before and afters in a forthcoming Church Marketing Lab update. For now, we have your weekly wonderful samplings of the going-ons in the Church Marketing Lab:

The Vine church is headed to the billboards.

There's a new logo in the works for Northcity Church.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Vines, Logos, Soccer and Silence"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 11:54 AM
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June 6, 2007

Leaving Church Poll Results

(Filed under: Poll Results)

Last week, we asked you about leaving church. More specifically, we wanted to know what circumstances would cause you to leave a church. Nearly three hundred of you responded, and here's what you said.

A slim majority of you (38%) say that your church straying from its foundations in favor of relevance would cause you to leave. Good to see you sticking to your guns. Slightly less of you (36%) would only leave with some unavoidable circumstance--moving, your whole church population being raptured, etc.

There was a tie for the third reason to leave church. 9% of you would leave if there weren't enough opportunities to be involved, and another 9% wouldn't ever leave. Ever. Ever ever. Are you guys the pastors of your church? Or just super-loyal members?

Rounding out the bottom are the 8% of you who would leave for a dispute and the 3% who would leave at a personnel change.

It seems that we have a lot of either very devoted church members or extreme idealists. Either way, this week, whichever answer you gave, pretend some situation arose where you had to leave. And once leaving, how would you go about finding a new church?

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:14 AM
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June 5, 2007

Trust vs. Statistics

(Filed under: Demographics/Research)

The last chapter of 2 Samuel reads somewhat like a page out of the book of Revelation. It's got everything a good chapter in Revelation has: judgment, death and an "angel hovering between earth and sky, sword drawn and about to strike Jerusalem."

The reason for all the death and hovering is because of a test God put to King David. "Once again God's anger blazed out against Israel. He tested David by telling him, 'Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.' So David gave orders to Joab and the army officers under him, 'Canvass all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and get a count of the population. I want to know the number (24:1-2).'"

"But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics. And David prayed to God, 'I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now God forgive my guilt--I've been really stupid (24:10).'"

Continue reading "Trust vs. Statistics"

Posted by Brad Abare at 6:43 AM
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June 4, 2007

Gee, I Should Go To Church Today

(Filed under: Evangelism & Outreach)

It's time to go back to the basics.

I don't know any non-Christian who wakes up and thinks, "Gee, I should go to church today." Churches need to find ways to make people think that very thought--whether it's through billboards or outreach events or the incredible example of their members (or all three and more--my point, don't get hung up on the method). If churches aren't getting people to think that, then what are they doing?

Unfortunately, too many churches have settled for the status quo, the steady stream of Christians who do wake up thinking they should go to church, and for some churches that's good enough. Those churches are social clubs, and useless. Sadly, many Christians are that way too.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 5:05 PM
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Help Your Country, Help A Church

(Filed under: Peer Review)

OK, so I don't have a rant concerning patriotism or anything of the sort, but I do really have a call for your help! As you all know, Independence Day is just around the corner, as are barbecues, star-spangled shorts, and fireworks (assuming rain ever returns). Over in the Church Marketing Lab, 'charitydeyon' is getting ready for her church's annual Fouth of July celebration.

Have any of you ever done this sort of celebration? Do you have logo ideas? Suggestions? Or are any of you working on it this year?

Head on over and give your advice!

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:13 AM
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June 1, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Movies and More

(Filed under: Peer Review)

I always love when we have new and interesting media up for discussion in the Church Marketing Lab. We've seen movies, bulletins, church directories, coffee cups, logos, color palettes, web sites, newsletters and more. In case you never visited, it's not just 2,000 clip-art crosses with folks debating about which is better. Keep mixing it up and bringing new things to the table; those of you that aren't over there regularly, check out some of what goes on:

Faith Baptist Church is tired of their old logo, so they're working on a new one.

Here's a flyer for Friday services at Front Line Ministries.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Movies and More"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:57 AM
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You Said It: May Comment Roundup

(Filed under: Comment Spotlight)

As the weather heated up, so did our comments section. You said a lot of great things in May, and we're here to highlight those for the folks who don't read below our "Posted by..." line. Here's what you said this month...

Continue reading "You Said It: May Comment Roundup"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:32 AM
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