The Church, The Brand, and Perception…Pt. 4

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We’ve been on this topic about marketing and branding for churches. Apparently, it’s been raising some controversy. Like, I’m surprised by that. HA! It’s sad that some people view marketing and branding as only effective and valuable within the corporate/business sector.  Marketing is a tool, like money is a tool…to help build the Kingdom and spread the greatest story ever told…The Gospel. Jesus himself was a great marketer. He told parables or stories to communicate His message. I’m sorry to tell you but, that is marketing.

He knew which audience to communicate what message or lesson. Because He did not speak at the same level to each audience.

  • He knew what to speak to the 5000
  • He knew how narrow the audience to reach the 70
  • He knew when he needed to share things only with the 12
  • He knew when needed to spend time with the 3
  • And, He knew when he only wanted spend time with his  favorite follower, John.

I’m sorry to say, but that takes a marketing mind. Jesus knew how to tailor His message to each specific audience…like it or not, that’s a marketing function.

Your Thoughts?

The Church, The Brand and Perception…Pt. 3

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There are some really awesome churches that know how to develop a powerful and authentic brand. These type of  innovative churches let people know who they are, why they exist and what they do. One church comes to mind— Lifechurch.tv led by Craig Groeschel in Edmond, OK.

Look at this video that Lifechurch.tv opens with in their weekend services. It’s quite motivating and it reminds their audience of why they are there, why they exist and what they are called to do. Now, that is branding! Like I’ve said before, the Brand = the story or the message that surrounds your organization…it goes way beyond than just logos.

The Church, The Brand and Perception…Pt. 2

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I came across this youtube video, called Starbucks Church. What if Starbucks marketed like a church? This video is awesome…the message speaks for itself. Enjoy!

The Church, The Brand and Perception…Pt. 1

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One of the things I love to do in my profession is to help nonprofits, mainly churches and ministries take control of their perception through the art of marketing and branding. Marketing is an interesting business like any other. It’s both an art and a science. While the corporate world understands and values marketing and perception, I’m always surprised when I come across a pastor or a church leader who doesn’t.

Most pastors’ reservations when it comes to marketing is that they think it’s just simply traditional advertising. Therefore, they may think we already have a big church why should we worry about marketing? Or, they would prefer not doing it because they don’t want their church being viewed as another sleaze church ad in the community.  I totally understand that. But, that limited view of marketing and branding irritates me in church world. A pastor might have a good size church of 2000-3000 people, but just because a pastor has a nice building, a nice budget, and drives a nice car, doesn’t necessarily mean his ministries message or perception in the community is strong and healthy.

Let me say this:

  • Advertising is not branding
  • The full 360 degree marketing process is not limited to just advertising
  • Branding is not limited to logos
  • Strategic Branding is the message or the story
  • Healthy perception is the result of strategic branding development

Let’s begin a dialog on how we as next generation church leaders can use the tools of marketing and branding to intentionally take control over the public’s perception of our message and our ministries.

Transitioning a Leadership Culture..Pt 3

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When leaders try to transition a business, ministry or an organization…sometimes people think they can do it with the same group of individuals or decision makers that have already been at the table for long seasons of time.  That can be unrealistic.

When you have to change a culture that begins with the direction, vision and DNA of the organization, it may require you not to limit yourself to the same group of people that have been with you thus far. That is why new voices and fresh eyes are imperative to have a successful transition of direction and focus.

If you’re in the midst of transitioning a ministry or a business, I encourage you to consider the following things:

  • Connect with new leaders outside your inner circle
  • Bring fresh eyes and new voices into your inner circle
  • Learn to receive healthy criticism
  • Track and save feedback
  • Identify people that are full of new talent and skills
  • Set a standard within your team that competence will always trump seniority

Your Thoughts?

The Church, The Brand & Perception – Pt. 5

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Some churches know how to advertise great sermon series campaigns. A few come to mind. Well, these are my recommended favorites, but you are welcome to suggest others:

  • Ed Young / Fellowship Church
  • Perry Noble / New Spring
  • Steven Furtick / Elevation Church
  • Andy Stanley / North Point Community Church
  • Craig Groeschel/ Lifechurch.tv

How do these guys know how to promote a well engaged sermon series? A few things come into play:

  • Rich/depth sermon content
  • A dynamic creative team
  • An innovative technical team
  • A strategic marketing team

Here is one of my personal favorite sermon series promotional videos from Elevation Church led by Steven Furtick in Indian Trail, NC. See Below! It’s awesome!

Transitioning a Leadership Culture Pt. 2

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Transitioning a ministry isn’t easy. It’s a very slow and long process, but it can be done!

Below are characteristics that a Leader should have in order to transition a ministry from death to life:

  • Resilient Leadership
  • Visionary
  • Strategist
  • Public Communicator
  • Passionate
  • Team builder
  • Friendly and Fun
  • Loving
  • Authentic and Real

I’ve found that leaders who can transition a ministry or even lead as the point leader of a ministry should embody the above characteristics. If not, the ministry will be difficult to grow and the people will lose their momentum to follow.

Transitioning a Leadership Culture – Pt. 1

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What if you inherited a ministry that was… well, dead? Or, what if you inherited a business that was several million dollars in debt? Maybe you are in that situation right now. As I look back into my previous ministry experiences, I’ve had to walk into ministry situations that had no clear vision or direction. What do you do when your surrounded with great people but the ministry itself wasn’t spiritually growing the people and attendance wasn’t growing either, something is dead!

When the light bulb goes off and you realize that the ministry isn’t growing internally or externally…you have a bigger challenge than just simply ministry itself…you MUST begin a process by transitioning the ministry by changing the leadership culture.

I will have a series of posts over the next few weeks on how to transition a leadership culture from a dead ministry to a growing and vibrant ministry. I’m not an expert, but over the last couple of years I’ve had the privilege to work with some amazing young leaders to do that very thing. I want to share my thoughts and lessons I’ve learned on a spiritual and practical level on how we ignited a process that brought change to our ministry and leadership culture! This will be fun!

Ed Young & Joel Osteen Having Fun!

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Ok, the first thing I want to say about leadership… is whatever kind of role you play in an organization whether it be ministry or business…you got to have fun and be crazy once in a while if not all the time…

Real and authentic leaders know how to have fun. We’ve all been around people in leadership who are boring and act like they have a pole stuck up their “BEEP.” Sadly, I find those people to be more in the Christian/church world than I do in mainstream America. If you’re going to be a leader worth following, learn to enjoy life and have fun with the people you work with.

Take these two  respected church leaders for example…Ed Young and Joel Osteen. Having random fun for no reason…Let’s be leaders that creates environments of crazy, random and stupid fun times!