There seems to be a big boom in churches marketing budgets. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But how far is too far?
At the end of the day it's not about how clever you think you are, it's about communicating. I think the temptation is to push the line as far as we can. Like the Gathering Church in Tennessee, that sent out 50,000 flyer's to their local neighborhoods to promote their upcoming series called "RED HOT SEX".
You have to watch this Video
The reaction from the man they interview nails it.
As a church I would make sure that my marketing strategy reflects the heart and the vision of the church, other wise it may be seen as a shameless gimmick to fill seats.
What about THIS billboard ?
Is this clever marketing or are we creeping towards the line of too far?
In all fairness, the gathering Church said on their website that 87 people got saved during the series. That was last December.I wonder how many are still attending church?
Maybe the most helpful question a church can ask is
"Why are we marketing in the first place?"
Is the goal to add converts, or is it to add disciples?
I think your last question hits the right place.
I wonder if relying on 'shock' tactics to attract lots of people is a good alternative to one-on-one personal evangelism. I guess it does get peoples' attention... but is it for the right reasons? Does it hold it? Is it worth the amount they are spending that could go to plenty of other worthwhile places?
To me, a church that lists a "number saved" seems like they might be focusing on the wrong thing. A church shouldn't be keeping a tally on the sign like a McDonald's :) haha.
I guess what really decides things, though, is what the church does with the people who come in after that advertising. Is the church experience moving enough to really spark or re-spark a person's faith and keep them coming? If a church can handle that kind of pressure, then they might be the right kind of church for that kind of advertising. But certainly, not all churches are.
One thing that seems fundamental to me is to actually test a proposed marketing ploy on some real, outsider, non-Christians.
This is a key recommendation of our church website design self-assessment tool, to help churches create websites that actually reach outsiders in the community.
Blessings
Tony