i found a new blog site that intrigued me, a generous orthodoxy think tank. much of the articles i'm too tired to read and digest, however there was one on church marketing, highlighting an article titled "churches seeking marketing savy breed of pastor." this intrigued me as i have a copy of "gorilla marketing" in my stack of readings, aimed to get an idea or two with communication with the youth ministry and the congregation.
reading the article i couldn't help but be confused by the energies expelled for marketing. mentioned in the article too is the huge (in church terms, 2mil is a drop in the bucket when we talk consumerism) umc marketing campaign. a piece that i draw to question was the scriptural reference that was thrown out to justify such passion for marketing.
"Go therefore ..."
Others, however, see marketing as a necessary part of Christ Jesus' great commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19, New Revised Standard Version).
doesn't the scriptures also say, "do not be of this world" & a consumeristic marketplace is certainly part of 'this' world? does their need to be an attractive spin put on Christian faith? we've got our seeker sensitive churches for that.. i don't know..
it seems to me as well, if channeled money for excellent graphics and put them into missions and/or supporting the poor then we would be more to the words of Christ.. but now, we go against him by saying things like "look at us!" when Christ on a time or two said, 'don't tell anyone what happened here.' now that's some strange marketing, but apparently it worked
