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Education Ministry

Posted on January 25, 2007 ...

When the subject of church growth is addressed, most of us feel the same way: one, we would all like to see our church grow and be more effective in reaching others for the Kingdom of God, and two, we don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t feel that our personal effort toward that end will make any real difference. Even though this is a line of thought that our friends may substantiate, it is nonetheless, a line of thought that is in opposition to the findings of practical research.

We are at a time in history where ?¢‚Ǩ?ìmarketing?¢‚Ǩ¬ù is a very big deal. Between the internet, radio, television, and billboards, there is a constant bombardment of pleas for you to purchase this or that and all of the reasons why your life cannot be complete without a particular product. For many products, the marketing campaign can mean the difference between big profits and big losses. In the face of all this, it appears reasonable to think that those with sharply-honed design and publicity skills are the ones who can attract people to the kingdom of God. However, as the saying goes, ?¢‚Ǩ?ìit looks good on paper,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù but it just doesn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t work.

Nelson Searcy, who pastors ?¢‚Ǩ?ìThe Journey Church?¢‚Ǩ¬ù in New York says that, at its very best, marketing can only account for 30% of the people who visit their church and this at an average advertising cost ratio of $169 per person. The other 70 percent were not persuaded by media nor advertising tactics but came ?¢‚Ǩ?ìbecause someone they knew invited them?¢‚Ǩ¬ù.

This truly is not difficult to understand. We all have some level of distrust when it comes to advertising because we know that the purpose is to ?¢‚Ǩ?ìsell?¢‚Ǩ¬ù us something and, in doing so, we expect that there will be some distortions of the truth. In secular business we have come to see that as normal, however, when it comes to having a relationship with a church family, this is simply not good enough. Here we need to be trusting and transparent, to have people accept us even when they know that we are not perfect, and to find a place where we can contribute and know that our contribution has meaning. Being a part of a church family is like being a part of any family. We open ourselves up to potential pain by making ourselves vulnerable.

A friend who relates a warm and caring atmosphere where you can expect to be welcomed and loved will trump a billboard every time. Someone who eases the way by escorting you through new surroundings will speak much louder than a professionally orchestrated commercial. Genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of another person shines brighter than a rotating spotlight. There simply is not a substitute for being valued by another human being.

There are things in life that can be done better by professionals and secular advertising is certainly one of those. However, demonstrating a sincere concern for another person is not something that we can hand off to an agency. We shouldn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t expect that slogans or ?¢‚Ǩ?ìsmoke and mirrors?¢‚Ǩ¬ù will cause those that God has put in our area of influence to see our congregation as the place of support, significance, and purpose that they are searching for. At least for seventy percent of the people, this must be conveyed one person at a time just as it was demonstrated by Christ during His ministry. I hope that each of us will internalize the truth of the responsibility and unique opportunity that each relationship with a lost or unchurched friend affords us. Relationships, not advertising, are effective for the Kingdom. We fail to make a difference only if we choose to do so. Verlin