Branding and Integrity...
It's been a real difficult few weeks for me especially with the assignments pilling up and the exams looming ahead. So for those who are wondering where my newsletter is (I doubt there are many but hey), I've decided to put out a double issue for May/June just so that it'll be less of a distraction.
On a different note, yesterday at college I had two very interesting workshops. Instead of the usual preaching workshop, we had a "marketing" workshop conducted by a top image consultant in Australia. Yesterday's session was focused on the topic of "branding". How do we "brand" our church/faith/Jesus? Well, not really Jesus but you get the point. We even briefly touched on brand "Hillsong" and what it means for the secular public out in Australia.
However, what I found most intriguing was the discussion resulting from our principle’s question, "how do we market our faith when most of Australia views religion as irrelevant if not negative?" I know we should be asking these questions of ourselves especially in light of the many scandals and antipathy but I can't help ponder over this.
The second workshop was held during our usual ministry formation class but by a guest speaker. A "church consultant" and this was a workshop on being a healthy pastor. The workshop was really a three hour session of head bashing on the importance of our character and integrity in ministry and the value of TRUTH.
Now, I think this is certainly amazing. Only at Vose can you get two workshops on the same day that seemingly contradict each other and leaves you struggling to find coherence. Marketing people are well known for their "lack" of integrity aren't they? Always putting out subliminal messages and perceived images to tempt people into purchasing decisions (well at least that what 3 years of business school has taught me).
Christian leaders as men and women of integrity and character? Well, again, the public often view pastors and leaders as lying paedophiles and homophobic cheats. Always up to no good or brain washing their congregations.
MAYBE, just MAYBE, the reason we're in this mess is because we've become so caught up in all these secular management theories and trying to appease the world that we have lost all credibility. Isn't it from the bible that we learn we can only serve either God or the world? How do we serve God with worldly methods? Yes, they work. I don't doubt that. Yes, they make us appear more relevant. BUT DO THEY MAKE US BETTER DISCIPLES OF CHRIST? DOES IT STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH?
Maybe it does. I'm still left pondering?
On a different note, yesterday at college I had two very interesting workshops. Instead of the usual preaching workshop, we had a "marketing" workshop conducted by a top image consultant in Australia. Yesterday's session was focused on the topic of "branding". How do we "brand" our church/faith/Jesus? Well, not really Jesus but you get the point. We even briefly touched on brand "Hillsong" and what it means for the secular public out in Australia.
However, what I found most intriguing was the discussion resulting from our principle’s question, "how do we market our faith when most of Australia views religion as irrelevant if not negative?" I know we should be asking these questions of ourselves especially in light of the many scandals and antipathy but I can't help ponder over this.
The second workshop was held during our usual ministry formation class but by a guest speaker. A "church consultant" and this was a workshop on being a healthy pastor. The workshop was really a three hour session of head bashing on the importance of our character and integrity in ministry and the value of TRUTH.
Now, I think this is certainly amazing. Only at Vose can you get two workshops on the same day that seemingly contradict each other and leaves you struggling to find coherence. Marketing people are well known for their "lack" of integrity aren't they? Always putting out subliminal messages and perceived images to tempt people into purchasing decisions (well at least that what 3 years of business school has taught me).
Christian leaders as men and women of integrity and character? Well, again, the public often view pastors and leaders as lying paedophiles and homophobic cheats. Always up to no good or brain washing their congregations.
MAYBE, just MAYBE, the reason we're in this mess is because we've become so caught up in all these secular management theories and trying to appease the world that we have lost all credibility. Isn't it from the bible that we learn we can only serve either God or the world? How do we serve God with worldly methods? Yes, they work. I don't doubt that. Yes, they make us appear more relevant. BUT DO THEY MAKE US BETTER DISCIPLES OF CHRIST? DOES IT STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH?
Maybe it does. I'm still left pondering?
6 Comments:
Dude... so timely to be reading this now.... haha.. You know i'm interning now right? It's been 3 weeks, and starting to get exciting, and if i didn't mention b4, it's a marketing internship... I've been struggling with the issue of gimmicks and faking 'its' when I had to come up with a marketing positioning for a new business line..I suggested one thing, but the boss wanted me to tweak it to be more gimmicky.. haha..! i really couldn't do it..:S i was stuck and couldn't proceed..and his suggestion wasn't even 'subliminal' as you say it! was quite 'hard sell' hah.. sigh, can't really defy that...
haha.. my brain is falling off trying to do a meaningful piece of work, yet trying not to make it too fake.. haah.. :S
anyway, in response to your post, i ask: does the church exist to serve the world? serve God? or serve God through serving the world? gathering the lost and the fatherless.. does the end justify the means.. haha.. oh boy.. i dunno... opening a bag of worms!!
mag
haha... that's better than asking, "Does the church exist?"
I am REALLY sure I did not post that. How did that happen??? Dawn.
uh oh... mag
Well, I don't see anything wrong per se about marketing the church, as long as the marketing campaign doesn't mislead the people.
However, you're right about the current church and the mess we're in. I'm utterly convinced we're in this mess is because the church no longer seem to take Scripture highly (although they say it, but their actions imply otherwise). There are no expository preaching anymore (which to me is SO important and powerful), people don't like Bible studies and think it's boring. Sermons are all feel-good sermons, instead of challenging ones. What we want is more programs and fun, to draw people into the church, instead of growing and challenging Christians to be more Christ-like.
I can say more... but it'll just turn into a rant and I'm afraid I'll say too much that I may regret later.. haha.. :P
So is the problem the church leadership or the people who go to church? If you preach deep sermons every single time, people won't want to come and hear the gospel?
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