May 2, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Stages, Shirts and Summer Fun

Let's talk numbers here for a minute. We're only 52 members away from the 2,000 mark in the Church Marketing Lab, and the conversations just get better and better. Last June we hit member 1,000, and now we're already at 2,000! In October, we were looking at the 3,000th posting. Now, we're almost at 5,000! So if you aren't in the conversation, head over and join in. Here's some of what we've been seeing lately:

Here's a smorgasbord of ideas for a vision-casting print.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 9:43 AM
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April 24, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Flickr Gets Video

If you're familiar with our Church Marketing Lab, you know it runs as a Flickr group. And if you're familiar with Flickr, you know they recently started allowing the upload of videos up to ninety seconds. Folks in the lab have used the occasion to upload videos containing unicorns, gnomes, peeing dogs, moving heads and the numbers one through thirty. Here's what I mean.

This is a promo for a series inspired by Napoleon Dynamite.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:59 AM
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April 11, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Try, Try Again

The Church Marketing Lab is all about peer review. It's good to post your designs and ideas after you've executed them. It's better to share them before go time so the brilliant minds that hang out over there can help you out. That's what paulcarson did. Check out how the Church Marketing Lab can help a great design to be:

The design is born for the series "Pure," looking at trends in worldviews.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 12:01 PM
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April 4, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Worship Guides to Breakfast Designs

Church Marketing Lab time. If you're not getting involved over there, you're missing out on a ton. There's discussions on church directories, Local Labs, purpose statements and more, as well as some great graphics. It's where the church marketing rubber meets the road. Here's some of the work we've seen submitted this week.

Check out this take on infusing sermon graphics in your bulletin.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 5:58 AM
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March 28, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Welcome Displays, Bulletins and More

As the Church Marketing Lab nears 2,000 members, we want to remind you that anyone can take part. Whether you're a designer, a person with a question or someone with an opinion, it's the perfect place for you. And if you prefer the non-cyber world, check out the Local Labs. Here's a taste of what's been going on in our Church Marketing Lab this week.

Miami Harvest Church has a new welcome display banner.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 5:29 AM
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March 21, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: A Bright Idea

This week, we take a break from our regularly-scheduled Church Marketing Lab roundup. I couldn't help but highlight a single entry this week -- a poignant and humorous submission that might just be a good idea for all churches.

To quote Church Marketing Lab member reslifephoto, this is ...

"A guide to caring for volunteers at church. Internal communication to help staff work with volunteers. I chose to use cartoons examples to keep people's attention. It seemed to work, for months after I handed these out, people still had them posted at their desks!"

Three cheers to you, reslifephoto, for a great idea and putting your priorities on treating volunteers well. And another two cheers for you, Church Marketing Lab, for being a place where ideas like this can come to get around.

Done something creative? Want to do something creative? Head over and get your creative glass filled up.

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:38 AM
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March 7, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: From Logos to Postcards

Last week, we took a week off from letting you know what was going on in the Church Marketing Lab. But now, we're back in the full swing of things, and here's a taste of what we've seen in the past couple of weeks:

This is a series concept for "Generations."

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:04 AM
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February 23, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Easter Countdown

There's only one month and two days until Easter. Are all your graphics ready? If not, head to the Church Marketing Lab, get some inspiration and submit your designs. The folks there will help you work out the kinks in all of your Easter plans.

We won't Christmas-fy Easter and make the whole Lenten season about pastels, fake eggs and cute rabbits. So here's a little of what's been going on in the Church Marketing Lab, with just a hint of Easter work.

Next Step is rebranding their program to go from visiting to membership to serving.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Easter Countdown"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 8:08 AM
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February 18, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Logos and Provocative Posters

We've had a great round of our typically beautiful and provocative designs in the Church Marketing Lab this week, and we're here to show you a little bit of that, so check it out:

This is a cover, born of a collaboration between two Church Marketing Lab members, for a student guide on issues in Africa.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 8:42 AM
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February 7, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Drawing Board to Final Product

In the Church Marketing Lab, it makes us proud to see a project go from concept to completion. We get to watch the entire process and even have the chance to help out a little bit. Here's what I mean. Hopefully it will inspire you to be a part of what goes on over there every day.

Here are some original, hand-drawn concepts for a ministry, "Serve Erie."

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 8:18 AM
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February 1, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: New Web Sites and Beyond

The Church Marketing Lab is growing leaps and bounds--over 1,600 members and over 3,700 submissions now. And that's not even counting all of the phenomenal discussion topics. If you just check out our updates here, make sure you actually head over and see what's up. These are just a few samples of all the great things actually in the Church Marketing Lab:

Imago Dei is working on a new web site.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 9:08 AM
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January 25, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Banners, Logos and More

It's time for your once-weekly dose of Church Marketing Lab. Here's a little snippet of what's been going on, but make sure to get over there and check out the great work people have been submitting.

Bethel Baptist Church has a new Easter promo banner.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 8:07 AM
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January 18, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Waffle Thermals to Revolutions

The Church Marketing Lab has been bustling with activity as people get ready for everything from Valentine's Day to Easter. Here's a taste of what we've seen this week:

Here's a new Elevation waffle thermal for you to check out.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:47 AM
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January 11, 2008

Church Marketing Lab: Financial Freedom to New T-Shirts

We thought you might be interested to know what's been going on in the Church Marketing Lab over the past week and a half, so here's a little taste for you:

Here's a background graphic for a series on financial freedom.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 10:42 AM
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January 2, 2008

Church Marketing Lab in the New Year

Why not start your New Year right and help church marketing to no longer suck? Head to the Church Marketing Lab and add to the conversation. Here's what we've seen this week:

Here's a graphic for a 2008 kickoff sermon series.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 5:55 AM
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December 21, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: A Very Merry Edition

I've been restraining myself for quite some time now trying not to get all Christmasy with the Church Marketing Lab updates. But four days before Santa, here it is. This is some of the red and green goodness that's been going on in the CML:

Here's an 8.5" x 11" poster for "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: A Very Merry Edition"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 1:31 PM
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December 7, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: African Shirts, Absolute Truth and More

In the Church Marketing Lab we saw another week chock full of Christmas designs and all-around design goodness. Here's just a little of what we saw. Make sure to head over, and comment on these and more ...

This is a postcard for an "absolute truth" series.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:05 AM
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December 3, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Videos and Billboards, But No Christmas

If you head over to the Church Marketing Lab, you'll notice things are getting a lot more red and green. But I still resisted the urge to do a Christmas-y roundup. But beware, at any time, a Christmas mood could hit CMS, and we could have 200 Christmas Church Marketing Lab designs taking up our front page. But for now, here's what we've seen this week:

Imago Dei is working on a new logo.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 8:34 AM
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November 16, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: New Sites, Sports Centers and More

It's the most wonderful time of year! The weather is getting colder, Wal-Mart has Christmas candles and Christmas music is starting in on the radio. All that to say, I'm desperately fighting the urge to make every Church Marketing Lab update from here on out a Christmas edition. Here's a little of the non-Christmas action we're seeing in the Church Marketing Lab this week:

Valley Church of Idaho is getting a new web site ready to go.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:00 AM
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November 9, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Logos, Languages & Share the Love

After a week off from the Church Marketing Lab roundup last week, we're back to your regularly scheduled design genius. Here's some of what's been going on in the Church Marketing Lab this week:

We saw a logo idea for Corinth Church.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Logos, Languages & Share the Love"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:51 AM
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October 26, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Compassion, Revivals and More

As we near the 3,000 submissions mark in our Church Marketing Lab (it will probably come this week), we wanted to let you know what's been going on lately. Here's a sample of things we've seen this week:

Here's a spotlight on a youth group supported Compassion child.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:10 AM
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October 24, 2007

Church Conferencing Poll Results

MinistryCOM, Innovate, Buzz, Catalyst, Internet Ministry, Promise Keepers, denominational conferences, Leadership Summit, Passion, Willow Creek Arts, Origins, Saddleback Worship, Unleash, Exponential Church Planting, Church Technology, National Youth Pastors, National New Church. Oh. My. Goodness.

The number of church conferences in the world will give you a migraine and a headache. So we were just wondering how many church conferences you attend in a year. Here's what you had to say:

41% of you go to two or three. How do these split up? One of your own, a couple to get you inspired? What conferences do you highly recommend for those of us in the dark ages only going to one or none a year?

The next best option is the 37% of you who don't do the whole church conference thing. Conscientious objector? Financial objector? Lack-of-time objector? Let us know.

21% of you are in my boat. One a year. I'm a Catalyst-goer thanks to a good friend of mine who takes care of my poor student-ness. Which one do you guys go to?

Tying for the third spot are the 0% of you who attend either 4-6 or 7+. I don't believe that. We've gotta have someone out there who does conferences for a living or is a total junkie. Show yourselves, we'll accept you.

To hold you over until the next church conference, think about our new poll question. You've just been put in charge of your church’s marketing effort. You’re doing a complete overhaul and money isn’t a problem (so this is completely hypothetical). Who would you hire first?

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:03 AM
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October 22, 2007

Lend A Helping Hand

Looking through our Church Marketing Lab, a couple discussion caught my eye. I thought that our CMS readers could certainly add value to these discussion.

For starters, user tap57 is looking for creative inspiration for a pledge card. Any ideas? Have you ever done this before? She's a new Flickr user from our Church Marketing Lab LIVE session. so head over and show some love to the discussion.

The second order of business is a more theoretical question. Anyone involved in churches has probably wrestled with this one--do first time visitors want more or less information about your church? Head over and let us know what you think visitors are looking for and how to handle it.

Posted by Joshua Cody at 5:27 PM
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October 19, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Logos, Videos and an Homage to Colbert

Yesterday we celebrated 1,000 posts on Church Marketing Sucks. But our Church Marketing Lab is nearing 3,000 posts. Here's some of the action going on in our photo pool this week:

Four Corners Church is gearing up for a Porn Sunday. Here's a still from their video promo.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Logos, Videos and an Homage to Colbert"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:03 AM
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October 12, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Cubes, Tickets and More

I'm just going to be honest. Our Church Marketing Lab is awesome. I didn't do a lab roundup last week because I was at the Catalyst Conference. I come back this week, and there's all kinds of crazy submissions. There's cubes waiting to be printed, t-shirts, logos, posters, tickets, everything. There's nothing those guys can't think up to create. Here's just a taste of what's been going on:

A new plan for a church billboard.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 9:33 AM
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September 28, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Wonder, Family Life, and Kids' Weekends

This week, we saw the first day of autumn. I checked the Church Marketing Lab for designs of foliage, football, and all fall colors, but I didn't come up with too much. But this week, we did see some great submissions, like these:

Run 1 and Run 2 of a series called "Wonder,"

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Wonder, Family Life, and Kids' Weekends"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 8:19 AM
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September 24, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Icons, Route 56 & More

We're here again to let you know a little bit of what's been going on in the Church Marketing Lab. Here's a sample of some of the submissions we've seen this week:

Route 56 5th and 6th grade class has a new logo.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:16 AM
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September 17, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Sorry Church Site, God is Green and More

This week in the Church Marketing Lab, the discussion board was crazy with a couple long threads, and the photo pool saw some great new submissions. Now that we've given you some links to keep you busy, check out a sample of this week's designs:

Here's a promo for a sermon examining what it means to be "green like God."

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Sorry Church Site, God is Green and More"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 5:05 AM
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August 31, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Painted Cars, the 80s and More

This week in the Church Marketing Lab, we had another great week of logos, series designs, fliers and more. Below, you'll see something that I think might have been a first. We've now moved out of the realm of paper and web design onto automobiles. Check it out below along with a sampling of other things from the photo pool this week.

There's a new premise for a "Best Marriage Ever" series.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 11:22 AM
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August 24, 2007

Church Marketing Lab:

It's about time to let you guys know what's been going on in the Church Marketing Lab. Everyone's starting to show us their graphics for their fall kickoffs, and the discussions are buzzing, so make sure you head over and give your feedback.

A flier for the Fall Forward community weekend.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab:"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 8:19 AM
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August 17, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: T-Shirts, Fashion Shows and More

Here we are with your weekly roundup of what's been going on in the Church Marketing Lab. Check out some of the work we've seen this week, and then head over and give some feedback of your own.

Here's a poster for a women's luncheon and fashion show.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:34 AM
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August 10, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Evolution of a Design

This week, we wanted to highlight a perfect example of what we're all about at the Church Marketing Lab. Make sure you follow the link to each specific image to see the comments provided. Here's the evolution of an image, which is our highest goal in the Church Marketing Lab:

Start with the original KidsTown banner.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Evolution of a Design"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 5:46 AM
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August 3, 2007

Elementary Marketing

This week in the Church Marketing Lab discussions, user 'rawar777' has an interesting church marketing question that doesn't get much attention. They ask:

"I am trying to get in the mindset of what is cool for 5th & 6th Graders, does anyone know a good way to do this? What kinds of things can I browse to see what's happening and how to target that age range?"

So what do you think? Have you had any experience with this?
If you might have any ideas, head over and help 'rawar' out.

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:31 AM
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Church Marketing Lab: From Blog Headers to Flying Children

Here's what's new in the Church Marketing Lab this week:

The Therst blog is getting new headers ready.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: From Blog Headers to Flying Children"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 1:24 AM
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July 27, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: T-Shirts, Car Shows and Beyond

As the weather heats up, there's no better place to go than the beach. Or the pool. Or if neither of those are an option--the Church Marketing Lab! We've got our weekly sampling of what's been going on so you can click on in and head over.

Here's the logo for a Russian outreach program.

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Posted by Joshua Cody at 12:52 AM
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July 24, 2007

Cheap, Fast and Good?

In the Church Marketing Lab, 'shawncampbell' asks the following question:

The concept is simple--There are three choices for any project: budget, timeline, and quality, but only two can be a priority. If it needs to be good and fast, it'll be expensive. But, if it must be cheap and good, it'll take a while. Cheap and fast will lack quality.

Can you have all three?

What have your experiences been with this? Have you seen all three work in any situation? Is this a policy worth using, or have you seen it proved otherwise?

Head over and help 'shawncampbell' out!

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:22 AM
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July 21, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Barbecues and Coffee Shops

This week in the Church Marketing Lab, we did what we do best. Help change the world. Here's some samples of how we saw that working this week:

Here's a sermon graphic for a question and answer series.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Barbecues and Coffee Shops"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 1:33 PM
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July 13, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: Logos, Buttons, and More

Last week, we took a week off from our Church Marketing Lab to celebrate our big milestones of a thousand members and two thousand submissions. This week, we're back to business and letting you know just what's been going up in the Church Marketing Lab.

Ladysmith Lutheran Ministries is working on a new logo.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Logos, Buttons, and More"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:10 AM
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