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?
