Marketing: Look at it from a biblical perspective |
Aug 27, 2009 |
This month and next Mission Increase Foundation is teaching on "Marketing Your Ministry" (if you're not already, you can get involved in the free MIF trainings by finding one closest to you). And, per usual, we are debunking our own title within the material. Here's how...
It's not about YOU marketing your MINISTRY, but instead about YOU training up your CHAMPIONS to market the CAUSE. We call it creating "living brochures" (to replace those ever popular and ineffective paper brochures), which comes from Paul's model of how he raised up disciples in each town he visited to be living "letters" from Christ "known and read by everyone" (2 Cor. 3:2-3). These "champions" were embodying the message of Jesus Christ not just through words but through their entire lifestyle. (Jenny Printz did a great post on this very topic August 17, 2009 that you'll want to read.)
Was this an effective way for Paul to market the message of the Gospel? In other words, was it effective to teach and equip his champions to be the messenger (instead of himself) in order to spread the message BUT ALSO get those hearing the message to respond (which is what marketing is all about, right)? You bet it was! The church grew exponentially (some say 40% a year) and all this was based on champions faithfully sharing the message in such a way that when others heard it and saw how the champion's life was transformed through it (it's not all talk and no action!), they could do nothing more than respond!
Of course, we must give credit where credit is due and that is why we can't ignore what Paul continues to say in this passage. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 he says: "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
There's no doubt that it's God who is in charge of changing hearts, but He gives us (mind you, that's all of us, not just ministry leaders) an important role to be "ministers" of His message and provides us with "competence" to do it effectively. We get to play an active part in God's plan, not because He needs us to, but so that He can grow us and shape us in the image of His Son.
So as you think how you can apply this in your own ministry work, keep in mind that one of the transformational giving principles is that "the champion, not the organization, is called to be the primary means of advancing the cause within the champion's spheres of influence." We see its power in scripture and through Paul's actions and interactions. We see how it has life changing, heart transforming impact.
Consider then, ways you can train and equip your champions to be the message - to be a "living brochure" for the cause you both have been called to proclaim. How can you help them share it without hesitation with those within their sphere of influence? What is ONE step you can take to make this happen?
