Is Church Marketing Going Too Far?
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The last couple of years I have been involved in and read about arguments as to whether a church should brand or market itself. I am in the camp that says absolutely because God gave us the tools, the knowledge, and the gifted people to do such things. I feel that if it honors God and is done with excellence then we should show no restraint in communicating about our church and ultimately point others to His Word.
Recently I have been noticing a growing emphasis or importance on sermon branding and using creativity in our sermons. I have always thought this is a good thing – to use videos, illustrations, or other items to visually communicate to our audience – and even Charles Spurgeon placed value in that. However, as I see more and more church planters and pastors strive for “relevance” or “cutting-edge” churches, there are a few who may be close to pushing the limits in their quest for being cool with their teams, sermons, and marketing.
Craig Groechel and the team at Life Church started My Secret.tv as a place for people to confess their secrets. This site stirred up a lot of theological discussion and debate as to the purpose of the site. Granger Community Church took some hits for their “Pure Sex” series and marketing. And Kaleo Houston is kicking off a similar concept at “What’s Between the Sheets?” and even states that this series is PG-13 and that they have made accommodations for young children to do something else.
Being a branding and marketing guy (and one who loves to push the limits) I absolutely admire the creativity and concepts behind these types of campaigns. They are done with excellence no doubt! As a Christian though, I wonder how far will church leaders and their teams go to push the limits. I have already observed some Christian brothers argue that it’s OK to cuss, smoke cigars, and have a Guiness Stout all the while being a pastor because this is a relevant thing to do. If I have a beer it’s because I want one, and if I cuss it’s because I am an idiot who can’t control my mouth – but not because I want to impress or shock people. Some of us are becoming borderline Christians and this is concerning! BTW – this is another topic I’ll soon discuss.
I’ll try to bring this post in for a landing. I am not condemning these great brothers or casting stones at them. They are trying to further the Kingdom building movement and share the Gospel in a way that resonates with our culture. I applaud that! What does concern me is the conversations taking place of how church leaders need to use the “shock-factor” to get attention. This can be ineffective in two ways.
1. It could turn people off to the Gospel because they see church teams acting like the world while trying to be a Christian. People who aren’t believers see believers through a different lense. It sucks that most unchurched people think ALL Christians are hypocrites – but some have given them a good reason. If we are of the world I think it will be difficult to show non-believers the Way.
2. The Desensitizing of America because of the Shock Factor. People have just about seen it all. We have been shocked by television, music, and lifestyles to the point we don’t blush or turn our heads anymore. The Church is now trying to use these methods to get people’s attention and draw in a crowd. Again, this is a great way to demonstrate that a church can address the culture and meet them where they are, but will it eventually lead us to cross the line? XXX Church is unique and we need ministries for the ramapant pornography addiction going on but their approach to some things are very questionable. How long will it be before we use a hot-looking, mostly naked woman as a draw to sell a series on lust or sex at the local church? We must be careful!
So has church marketing gone too far and will it get worse? What are your thoughts and input?
It’s possible to go too far and some may have. However, I don’t believe LifeChurch.tv has. (Disclaimer: I am a fanatical member.) Craig Groeschel has multiple accountability partners to be sure he stays in line. LifeChurch.tv is GIVING AWAY any and all of it’s ministry resources for other churches to use (click the link for Open on the splash screen). An internet campus meets on Saturday night at 7 and Sunday morning at 10 and 11:30 (CT). All sermons are online for anyone to check out. Craig says that he will do anything SHORT OF SIN to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Tom,
Since we are all sinners and we’ll continue to be…I don’t know if we can do anything short of sin. LOL. But that could be a long theological discussion. However, that type of attitude that says “we’ll do anything short of sin” is what COULD lead pastors or church teams to do something questionable (and then questionable will mean different things to different people) all for the Gospel.
I have visited Life Church since I live in OKC and watched it online when we lived in New York. Craig is an excellent communicator and I think he has a great passion. It’s great that they offer their resources for free.
My concern with Life Church and churches that are similar is the strong emphasis on attractional methods to draw people in. I think that at some point it will wear off and (a) leave people hungry for something more, (b) the creative team will have to always top the latest idea – thus opening the door for crossing the line. I have heard from people who attended that church and others like it who confirmed these feelings.
Please know I cast no stones! I like what they have done and some of my personal philosophy on attractional ministry has come through fiery trials and conversations as a church planting pastor. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
James
I’m more concerned about not enough people taking the risk. To many sit on the porch hoping people will come by and notice them.
We as Christians do so little because we fear so much. We end up burying our talents in the ground, for fear of something bad happening.
I’d rather put my raft in the middle of the river and go somewhere, knowing I will probably get wet, than sit on the shore with everyone else watching the other rafts go by.
There are many more reasons of why we should push the envelope than taking the well traveled road, but I only need one.
Risk takers come out ahead far more often, than those who are cautious.
Steven
simplechurch.tv
There are a lot of people not taking a risk and sitting on their backsides hoping for revival or change. I agree with that. But if risking causes me to do something that is questionable to Scripture, that causes my brother to stumble, or leaves a bad taste in a non-believers mouth about Christianity, then I would rather not jump into the water to test it.
I am ALL about offending people with the Gospel but I don’t try to be offensive for the sake of it, which is where some young pastors and church planters are heading.
If the risk honors God then jump out of the boat. Paul took a lot of risks and said some “controversial” things but I don’t think he would use a 15′ inflatable phallic symbol to draw people into his booth (like XXX Church had at one point) to share God’s Word.
I feel you are all right. each of us are accountable to GOD for what we will or will not do to advance HIS Kingdom. we have to be careful not to offend but if we want to see HIS Kingdom advanced we’re going to have to be radical, uncivilized, and sometimes unsensible. Check out the book The Barbarian Way by Erwin Rapheal McManus. the main thing is we have to keep it simple God loves them. Jesus died for them and rose again so they might live.
Thanks for your response David!