Focus on Reproduction, Mentor's Guide, MG12

1 6 /

F O C U S O N R E P R O D U C T I O N

Marketing and Godliness Do Mix

In a leader’s meeting at a local urban church which was determined to grow, one of the head deacons commented that although their church is a godly church, it simply doesn’t know how to market itself to those in the neighborhood. “Let’s face it,” he says, “the reason that many of the churches in the suburbs are growing is that they are constantly sharing their message and programs with others–they get the word out. And, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. If we want to grow as a church, we are going to have to get better marketing strategies. We can start small, but that’s where we have to start. I believe, and you should too, that marketing and godliness do mix.” Is this brother correct? What role does marketing play in growing the Church of Jesus Christ? Hosea is a bright and wonderful new Christian in your church of twenty two years who expresses a deep passion to share the Good News with others. After service one morning you find him looking discouraged. When you ask what is going on, he says in a dejected way, “Oh, its about my feelings lately. Ever since I gave my heart to the Lord about two years ago, I have had this deep burden to be in the Lord’s ministry. Not a day goes by without my heart being stirred about the lost. I can’t sleep, I cry all the time; early in the morning I am up, pacing, asking the Lord to tell me what he wants me to do. I believe he has called me to the ministry. I shared my burden with Deacon Wilson, and he told me that I was not old enough in the Lord to be put in a position to share the Gospel with others. Not yet, at least. I needed more time in the Word and in the church to prepare myself. I know he is right, but this burden nearly consumes me. What should I do?” How would you answer Hosea? Not Ready Yet

page 305 4

1

The Church Turns People Off

You hear of a new Bible study group formed by members of the church who are disgruntled with the way things are going in the church. While they don’t intend to leave the church, nor lead a campaign to replace the pastor, they simply don’t believe that the church is adequate to bring new converts in. The music is old-fashioned, the services are dry, and the people seem unfriendly. This group formed itself with the intent on being more inviting and appealing to newmembers. As one of its members recently said, “Our church loves the Lord and the Word, but