Permission Marketing and the Church
How do we integrate great ideas like permission marketing into the church. First, what is permission marketing. I don’t claim to be the expert on the subject. (For expert, click here) Basically though, permission marketing says that we must earn a person’s trust before marketing a product to them. The days of just blaring out a message through television, radio and print media are waning quickly. In the church, this seems to be doubly true. Just standing on the street corner shouting to random people that they are going to hell is unlikely to cause sinners to fall in love with Jesus. (There are times for confrontational evangelism, but that is another post all together.) Most of the time, a person is brought to the Lord because a believer showed interest in them as a person first. Once we care about the person and they realize that we are there for them whether or not they accept our “product” then they are much more willing to listen. Jesus as our example in this style of witnessing, He met with sinners in their homes. He cared about us enough to die on the cross for us even before we decided to accept Him as our savior. (Not jumping into the predestination argument here.) He cared about us…we must care about others first! That way, we earn the right to share with them the greatest product endorsement ever!
Thoughts on Sunday
Filed under: Body of Christ, Direction, Sunday Reflection, church growth, education, leadership, ministry, structure, sunday school
This last weekend, I had the chance to go to a small country church with my wife and my parents. It was a different denomination than I usually attend, and a church of about 40-50 while the church I had been serving at is a church of 600-700. Needless to say there were differences. Some of the differences were good, while others were things the church could work on. I am going to write up my observations so that hopefully if you are a pastor or church leader you can evaluate your own church a little.
Positives:
1. Age of the congregation: There were people of all ages! This may seem like a silly thing to point out, but the presence of teens and young adults in a rather traditional style church says that they are doing something right! There was an energy that is brought out by having youth yet it wasn’t all young people. There were those there who have the luxury of wisdom as well.
2. The preaching: Well planned and based on scripture. It was a clear message that people could apply to their lives. (Based on dealing with trouble in our lives. Used a passage from Job and supporting scripture from both old and new testaments.)
3. They shake up traditions a bit: If anyone knows this church, they will figure it out from this point. The denomination they belong to is known for being traditionalists, however, they changed up the order of service. That may seem like a small thing, but it is working for their community. They have Worship service first, then Sunday school, then lunch and then the second service…so there is no evening service. That is quite radical for that denomination, so I am applauding them.
4. The warmth of the church: The people were quite friendly once we got inside. (See Negatives). They prayed for each other’s needs in a very real way! During the “meet and greet” time, while most churches I have been in simply shake a few hands and sit down, at this church it was about a 15 minute time of fellowship among the people. Most of the church came to greet us…that last part can be both a positive and a negative, but it was obvious that this church had a real sense of community among the members.
Negatives:
1. Entering the church – Here was one of the areas where they needed help. The only one to welcome us was the mat in front of the door that clearly said “Welcome” on it. Upon entering the foyer of the church, the bulletins were laid out neatly on a table, yet there was no one there to show us where to go. We made our way into the sanctuary and sat down in a pew. (Yes, I did actually hear someone say, “Sorry sister __________ those people are sitting in your seat.”)
2. Music – Music is an opinion thing. Here I am not referring to contemporary or singing from the hymnal. They sang from a hymnal and that is fine. There seemed to be a disconnect at times in the rhythm between the piano player and the young man leading the singing. All in all though I enjoyed praising the Lord with this group!
3. Visitor treatment: We were very much pointed out. I heard people say, “I am going over to greet the visitors”. I am a fairly outgoing person who likes to meet new people. My wife is not. She absolutely hated everyone coming over and introducing themselves to her and asking questions. Not all visitors are created equal. Some just want to come in and enjoy the service without being singled out until they are more comfortable with the congregation. (Side note, those who just spontaneously greeted her before or after the service aren’t the problem, it was those making a point of meeting “the visitors” during the meet and greet time.) I admit this is a picky point and possibly one of personal preference, but if your church notices that visitors are coming, but not coming back, you might want to look at reasons why that might be the case.
Finally, It was wonderful to worship with a great group of believers! I look forward to seeing them in heaven and even here on earth should our paths cross again.
Scripture memorization…
I, like many, don’t spend enough time memorizing God’s Word. This morning, I was working on a passage of scripture and tried something my friend Steve Young taught me. (The missionary in Queretaro, MEX – not the american football player.) His advice was to start at the end of the section and work your way backwards. That way, as you work through the verses, you are working from what you know least toward what you know better rather than the other way around. Just wanted to say publicly, “Thank you Steve!” It works very well! Have a great day! Hope you will put some of God’s word in your heart today!
Don’t forget the romance!
If you are a pastor looking for a great way to grow your church, this is the post you must read! Last night, I got home before my wife, cooked dinner, chilled glasses, lit candles and put the dinner on the table just as she walked through the door…then the kicker! I didn’t even mention sex! Just enjoyed the night with my wife. So how does that grow a church? Seeing the look on my wife’s face this morning and the kiss she sent me off to work with tells me that she is happy! Happy pastor’s wives let pastors work more on the ministry that God has called them to do without griping at him. They are more supportive of his efforts. He will be able to come home to a place that is a haven instead of a battlefield. If you have felt like your wife is more of a thorn in your flesh than the help mate that God gave you, try surprising her with something you know she will like. If you don’t have a clue what that is…like me…dinner worked. (However as I sit in my office and write this, I don’t remember ever blowing out the candles…so tomorrow, I may be writing about picking up life out of the ashes…at least both the dogs are outside today!)
Missions…
Filed under: Church Planting, Encouragement, Vision, Wonderment, church growth, leadership, missions, planting, praise, salvation, worship
This morning, I had my usual spot on Monday and Wednesday mornings. In a seat in chapel at North Greenville University. As with any institution that has chapel services, some services are better than others. This morning’s speaker was a guy named Dr. David Garrison. Don’t let the “Dr.” fool you. He was very in touch with his audience and with the message the Lord had laid on his heart. His text for the message was Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” The stories of what God is doing in traditionally tough mission fields were incredible! God is doing amazing things around the world in ‘our days’ that seem to defy reason. Missionaries in muslim and hindu nations reporting hundreds of thousands of people accepting Jesus as their Lord and savior! I see God working here in the USA on a regular basis. We however usually don’t face being beaten or killed for our faith when we tell someone about Jesus. These men did face that, and GOD showed that HE isn’t scared! HE can overcome any obstacle! And HE is doing things that utterly amaze us! He is doing them in our day! And they are things that seem almost impossible! Praise the LORD!
Roots
A couple days ago, I had a great conversation with a student of mine about his church. He is the head deacon in a small country church of about 50 people. Unlike many deacons, he doesn’t feel his role in life is to keep the pastor in line. He is working hard to support their pastor in achieving God’s vision for their church. As we talked, it was apparent to me that he had something I have never had the chance to have. He had “roots”. In his mid 20′s he has grown up in the same town, and gone to the same church since he was a child. I believe that I had been in more than three churches by the time I reached grade-school. His heart to see his church grow was much more than simply following the vision a pastor lays out, he knows and loves the people in his church not just because he is a Christian, but because they are his family, neighbors etc. They changed his diapers, and he will one day bury them. That is a reality that I have never known. Outside of facebook, I have no friends from High School or even College. Sometimes in our technology “enriched” and mobile lifestyle, we miss out on what the people from small town America understand naturally. Roots are important. People look out for each other in a very real way. Anyway, my thought for the day is “Cheers to those with roots…from someone who doesn’t have any.”
Dealing with Confrontation
This morning, I dealt with a situation that is never fun…confrontation. I know that when I am confronted by others, I do my best to see their side of the situation and I think most who have had to take up an issue with me would say that it was relatively painless and when I am wrong, I have no trouble admitting it. This morning, it was I who had to do the confronting of someone else. I remembered why people often avoid confrontation. Tough day… The biblical model is to go to the person first, then take elders, then take them before the church…the problem is, this isn’t someone in my church. I tried the going to them first…now I am stuck. Not sure how to heal the rift that is now there. I know a lot of people who read this blog are prayer warriors…so when you are praying today, add me to your prayer list. I have had better days.
Twitter/facebook/blog etc. for your ministry
Filed under: Marketing, Random Thoughts, community, education, leadership, ministry
Pastors and Lay leaders, do you use technology for your ministry? If you are reading this, then you at very least read some blogs for ideas to help you out or to get encouragement from. How about social networking? Do you use Myspace, Facebook, Twitter…? What good are these mediums? Part of the answer to that question lies in the target demographic of your ministry. If the average person in your congregation and in the group you are attempting to reach still jumps on a chair when someone refers to a “mouse” then there is probably little gain to be achieved from using any web based social networking…stick to the potluck dinners. However, if you are a leader in a church with a slightly more computer literate society in mind, then you might be wondering how you can make this work.
WARNING! Social networking online cannot replace social networking in real life! You must still meet people in person where they are in the air breathing part of the planet.
That said, it can be a great tool for keeping up with your people. Many pastors find great success in blogging to let the people in their congregation know what is on their hearts and minds. Parishioners appreciate this very open and transparent view into their pastor’s heart. Sites like Facebook, which have traditionally been great for youth pastors or pastors of churches with a very young demographic is now fair game for anyone pastoring or leading any age ministry. A good many of my “facebook friends” are people I know in real life who are in their 60′s and 70′s. The fastest growing group of users for facebook and twitter is in the over 35 group.
There is no perfect way to use the site. It can be used as much or as little as you and your staff have time for. Facebook can be a great way to send out notices of upcoming events! It is sort of like micro-permission marketing in that anyone receiving the invite is someone who has chosen to be your “friend”. Have fun and experiment with the different tools that are out there. Having a power driver doesn’t mean you throw away all your screwdrivers, it just gives you another option. In the same way, using Facebook, Myspace or Twitter, shouldn’t replace your traditional networking skills, but should be used to enhance them. Have fun!
Extension Campus Churches
Filed under: Church Planting, Encouragement, Marketing, Random Thoughts, Sunday Reflection, creativity, education, leadership, planting
While I have read about churches with multiple campuses, this morning, my wife and I had our first experience with going to one. We decided to visit NewSpring Church‘s Greenville, SC campus. It meets in a convention center ballroom near the airport. Not exactly a residential neighborhood, nor is it super easy to find. With printed yahoo maps directions in hand, we ventured the trip. After missing an exit, and then turning the wrong direction on a road, we finally got there to find smiling faces and a very professional church! The music was done with excellence! The campus pastor, Howard Fritz, did a great job with intro and explaining with a mini lesson the importance of the tithe and offering. When the message time came, there were three large screens in the front with the message being projected that Perry Noble of the Anderson Campus was preaching. I had really wondered on my way there if this was going to be like getting together with a bunch of people to watch a sermon on someone’s bigscreen TV. But somehow, it wasn’t. For one thing, Pastor Noble did a great job of being aware of the other campuses. Having been to the Anderson Campus before, I had noticed that they often were giving directions to the other campuses, and it seemed a little odd…but then being on one of those “other” campuses, it suddenly made sense! At the altar call, I am not sure how many people stood to get saved, but it was at least 18! Then in a baptism service immediately following, there were about 80 people who got baptized! Those are the numbers that really mean something! I really don’t know how many were in attendance, but my first experience with an extension campus church was definitely a positive one. And, as a first time visitor in a large church where it would be easy to get lost in the crowd, someone invited my wife and I out to eat lunch with them! We accepted and had a great time over burgers at 5 Guys Burger getting to hang out with some great people! (If you are reading this Jason, Mary or John, thanks for making it a great day!) I learned that getting together with a bunch of people to watch TV can be a life altering experience for many. Keep up the great work NewSpring Greenville!
September 11th
Today, September 11th 2009, it is hard to believe so much time has passed since the more infamous September 11th in 2001. On that day, partisan politics ceased for a brief moment. This country came together, mourned our dead, and went hunting for those who caused us to hurt. In the short years since that time of unification, we have deteriorated quickly to a time of infighting and bickering that borders on a call for revolution. The previous September 11th showed the truth of the idea that great nations aren’t destroyed by exterior attackers. They are destroyed by the greed and decadence that rises up from inside. The great biblical “if clause” in 2 Chronicles 7:14 has never been more timely- “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” What most people don’t think about is what if “my people, who are called by my name are to vain to humble themselves and to busy to pray and seek my face and to full of self to turn from their wicked ways”…That, unfortunately seems to be the path America is on. We race toward destruction…
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