Comments on: Is “Marketing” a Dirty Word? http://www.eministrynotes.com/2004/10/25/is-marketing-a-dirty-word/ A place to record notes on effective web ministry Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:13:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Anonymous http://www.eministrynotes.com/2004/10/25/is-marketing-a-dirty-word/#comment-5 Anonymous Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.eministrynotes.com/2004/10/25/is-marketing-a-dirty-word/#comment-5 In the context of Christian Internet ministry, "marketing" may be seen as very similar to the word "evangelism". <br /><br />All Christians are called to promote Christ, to "market" his message of love and forgiveness.<br /><br />Which word is dirtier to christians in North America: "marketing" or "evangelism"?<br /><br />If a Christian is randomly sharing his or her faith with strangers on the street, is it "sidewalk spam" (as opposed to email or phone or mail spam we all receive from "marketers)? In the context of Christian Internet ministry, “marketing” may be seen as very similar to the word “evangelism”.

All Christians are called to promote Christ, to “market” his message of love and forgiveness.

Which word is dirtier to christians in North America: “marketing” or “evangelism”?

If a Christian is randomly sharing his or her faith with strangers on the street, is it “sidewalk spam” (as opposed to email or phone or mail spam we all receive from “marketers)?

]]> By: Frank http://www.eministrynotes.com/2004/10/25/is-marketing-a-dirty-word/#comment-6 Frank Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.eministrynotes.com/2004/10/25/is-marketing-a-dirty-word/#comment-6 "We have a mission to give to people something that they need. God has provided an abundant life and many people don't have it. It's our job to figure out the best way to get that provision to them."<br /><br />I'm a marketer (specifically, a web marketer) by trade, so I certainly don't think that it's a dirty word! Your explanation of marketing is a good one and shows that at its core, marketing is connecting people with a product or service.<br /><br />In the business world, not "figuring out the best way" to get the message to the consumer has consequences (loss of customers, loss of sales, etc.).<br /><br />But when we're talking about the message of the gospel, "figuring out the best way" to connect people with truth is doubly important because failing to do so has eternal consequences.<br /><br />Of course, this is nothing new to you, Rob - I'm including it only as background to what I'm about to say.<br /><br />I consult with churches and ministries on a small scale with regard to web marketing efforts. One thing I always try to keep in mind is that Jesus already gave us a very important marketing "method" for connecting people to truth.<br /><br />John 17:21-23 - if Jesus' disciples are one and perfected in unity, then the world will _know_ that the Father loves them and that the Father sent Jesus (and I would say that would include the world knowing the reason the Father sent Jesus).<br /><br />If the church would live as a community (to a depth far beyond what it seems our Western minds are ready to embrace) and do so in full view of the world, then we might not need all of the modern-day marketing "methods" we so readily turn to.<br /><br />I don't think it's wrong for the church to use modern-day methods (newspaper ads, websites, billboards, direct mail, etc.), but if we would choose to get outside the four walls of the building and be devoted to one another in community as our primary marketing "method", I think the world would take notice.<br /><br />Just my .02.<br /><br />Frank “We have a mission to give to people something that they need. God has provided an abundant life and many people don’t have it. It’s our job to figure out the best way to get that provision to them.”

I’m a marketer (specifically, a web marketer) by trade, so I certainly don’t think that it’s a dirty word! Your explanation of marketing is a good one and shows that at its core, marketing is connecting people with a product or service.

In the business world, not “figuring out the best way” to get the message to the consumer has consequences (loss of customers, loss of sales, etc.).

But when we’re talking about the message of the gospel, “figuring out the best way” to connect people with truth is doubly important because failing to do so has eternal consequences.

Of course, this is nothing new to you, Rob - I’m including it only as background to what I’m about to say.

I consult with churches and ministries on a small scale with regard to web marketing efforts. One thing I always try to keep in mind is that Jesus already gave us a very important marketing “method” for connecting people to truth.

John 17:21-23 - if Jesus’ disciples are one and perfected in unity, then the world will _know_ that the Father loves them and that the Father sent Jesus (and I would say that would include the world knowing the reason the Father sent Jesus).

If the church would live as a community (to a depth far beyond what it seems our Western minds are ready to embrace) and do so in full view of the world, then we might not need all of the modern-day marketing “methods” we so readily turn to.

I don’t think it’s wrong for the church to use modern-day methods (newspaper ads, websites, billboards, direct mail, etc.), but if we would choose to get outside the four walls of the building and be devoted to one another in community as our primary marketing “method”, I think the world would take notice.

Just my .02.

Frank

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