Thursday, September 13, 2007
Anything to Hook 'Em
For churches, summer's end and fall's beginning usually means coming up with a parade of creative ways to draw new attendees. Families are getting back into their routines, which makes it a perfect time to invite them into the church community. To broaden their reach and appeal to those on the fringe, some churches offer sermon series with pop-culture appeal: "Extreme Makeover: God's Way." "Lost Without Jesus?" "God & Your Bourne Identity." Other churches will host a massive fall kickoff event, inviting the community to a no-strings-attached festival with food, games and concerts for everyone.
In the past few weeks, however, I've run across an unusual amount of innovative church "marketing" methods. Not all of these were seasonally centered, but each caught my eye.
·In Coral Springs, Fla., Church by the Glades offered free iTunes gift cards (worth $15 apiece) to first-time guests as part of an iThemed series about living in a self-absorbed culture.
·Nearby in Palm Beach County, St. David's Episcopal Church held a U2charist—a Eucharist doused with U2 songs and Bono-typical messages about social justice. While St. David is far from being the first church to incorporate the band's tunes into worship, it joins a host of others that have specifically launched the communion service to attract a younger crowd.
·In similar fashion, Element Church of Chesterfield, Mo., gave away two free trips to Disneyland as part of a series called "Life's Short—Have Fun."
·It's not just U.S. churches that are pulling out all the tricks, either. In Cardiff, Wales, St. Paul's Church will host a special service later this month revolving around popular BBC show Dr. Who. To draw the teen and twentysomething crowd, the Anglican church will intersperse music and video clips from the sci-fi hit with communion and a sermon paralleling Dr. Who themes with those from the Bible.
Obviously, this is nothing new. As church leaders, we're always trying to think of innovative ways to present the gospel, to draw folks who would normally rather skip out on church. What I find most interesting, though, are the extents we'll go to "hook" people. Another article I recently read talked about various Southern Baptist ministers who, in an attempt to evangelize bikers and NASCAR lovers, give away such things as Harleys, free bull rides and thousands of dollars in cash. There was a catch, though: People couldn't enter to win these things unless they'd sat through a three-minute presentation of the gospel.
Trust me, I understand the motive behind these innovative tactics. Jesus proved that sharing the Good News always involves meeting people where they are. But I honestly wonder if our efforts to give the gospel a relevant, timely coating ever wind up souring the whole thing for some. Should God's invitation to salvation really be cast out with a free car as the bait? I pray the catch, both in quantity and quality, speaks for itself.
YOUR TURN: Do you think churches go overboard in trying to attract newcomers? What creative outreach ideas has your church implemented? Is it necessarily wrong to "hook" people into hearing the gospel?
In the past few weeks, however, I've run across an unusual amount of innovative church "marketing" methods. Not all of these were seasonally centered, but each caught my eye.
·In Coral Springs, Fla., Church by the Glades offered free iTunes gift cards (worth $15 apiece) to first-time guests as part of an iThemed series about living in a self-absorbed culture.
·Nearby in Palm Beach County, St. David's Episcopal Church held a U2charist—a Eucharist doused with U2 songs and Bono-typical messages about social justice. While St. David is far from being the first church to incorporate the band's tunes into worship, it joins a host of others that have specifically launched the communion service to attract a younger crowd.
·In similar fashion, Element Church of Chesterfield, Mo., gave away two free trips to Disneyland as part of a series called "Life's Short—Have Fun."
·It's not just U.S. churches that are pulling out all the tricks, either. In Cardiff, Wales, St. Paul's Church will host a special service later this month revolving around popular BBC show Dr. Who. To draw the teen and twentysomething crowd, the Anglican church will intersperse music and video clips from the sci-fi hit with communion and a sermon paralleling Dr. Who themes with those from the Bible.
Obviously, this is nothing new. As church leaders, we're always trying to think of innovative ways to present the gospel, to draw folks who would normally rather skip out on church. What I find most interesting, though, are the extents we'll go to "hook" people. Another article I recently read talked about various Southern Baptist ministers who, in an attempt to evangelize bikers and NASCAR lovers, give away such things as Harleys, free bull rides and thousands of dollars in cash. There was a catch, though: People couldn't enter to win these things unless they'd sat through a three-minute presentation of the gospel.
Trust me, I understand the motive behind these innovative tactics. Jesus proved that sharing the Good News always involves meeting people where they are. But I honestly wonder if our efforts to give the gospel a relevant, timely coating ever wind up souring the whole thing for some. Should God's invitation to salvation really be cast out with a free car as the bait? I pray the catch, both in quantity and quality, speaks for itself.
YOUR TURN: Do you think churches go overboard in trying to attract newcomers? What creative outreach ideas has your church implemented? Is it necessarily wrong to "hook" people into hearing the gospel?
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I believe the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16-17) and the Church should proclaim the gospel. To me, the methods we use is not the issue but the message is. What is being proclaimed? Are we trying to win our culture by using the culture instead of the gospel? Are we duping people into coming to Church by using methods that water down the gospel?
At our church, we encourage each member to make a disciple. The purpose of coming together is not for evangelism but encouragemant and edification (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor. 14:2, 26-27; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:23-25). Our meetings are not for unbelievers (although they are welcomed to come) but for disciples. Once we go into the world, we are to make disiples (Mattthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8).
At our church, we encourage each member to make a disciple. The purpose of coming together is not for evangelism but encouragemant and edification (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor. 14:2, 26-27; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:23-25). Our meetings are not for unbelievers (although they are welcomed to come) but for disciples. Once we go into the world, we are to make disiples (Mattthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8).
You can never do too much to help the lost get saved. Jesus used a huge feed to get people's attention. The key for Him: He knew it was God's idea first.
Two of my concerns. Things I've done myself. Are we getting their brain saved or their heart saved. Only one is valid.
Secondly,(I've done this also)the presentation is so fast and slick, the person doesn't even know what they supposedly did.
If going from being unsaved to being saved is the most important event that can happen in a human's life (and it is multipule times over) shouldn't they be able to articulate the process rather accurately. Say-- better than describing the directions to work.
Press on and you'll make some mistakes...Rick. Thank God for grace.
Two of my concerns. Things I've done myself. Are we getting their brain saved or their heart saved. Only one is valid.
Secondly,(I've done this also)the presentation is so fast and slick, the person doesn't even know what they supposedly did.
If going from being unsaved to being saved is the most important event that can happen in a human's life (and it is multipule times over) shouldn't they be able to articulate the process rather accurately. Say-- better than describing the directions to work.
Press on and you'll make some mistakes...Rick. Thank God for grace.
I had a couple of reactions to your comments and after thinking about it decided on this one. Is this a case of the end justifies the means. We all know that is wrong. However, what means should be used to attract people to the gospel. Bill Hybels of Willow Creek says that people often misinterpret the use of contemporary ways to reach the unbeliever. They believe it results in a watered down version of the gospel. In his experience, nothing is further from what actually takes place. The idea at Willow is to create an environment (means) that is inspiring and welcoming. It is in this environment that a dangerous, uncompromising message of Jesus Christ is preached (end). This is the purpose of the means. If the means do not serve the end or become the end then don’t do it. This applies to the contemporary and the traditional church.
# posted by 
: 1:47 PM
: 1:47 PM
Jesus told us to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (St. Mark 16:15 KJV) The key word is GO. I do not recall there being a scripture in which God said we are to stand in the temple and call out to the passerby’s saying “Free Stuff! Come and Get It!” in order to get them to come to us. What happen to the idea of going into the world and sharing the gospel? Many of those that we need to be reaching are not going to be moved by a gimmicky “hook” or even a 3-minute sermon.
Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” I realize that Luke 11:33 says that, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.” And yes, I believe that when people, both believers and unbelievers, when they come into a church should be able to see that light and recognize that light that they may give God praise. But I also believe that the unbeliever must first have a reason to come to that church and no I am not talking about a gimmick. Throughout the New Testament, as Jesus walk on this earth, and even as the disciples went into the world preaching His gospel, people came to see them because they had heard of the good works that were being done – the works of God. Anybody can give away a few T-shirts, some iTunes, and perhaps even a brand new motorcycle or car, but the gifts of God can only come from God. It is God who draws people through the doors of the church, it is God who allows the once unbelievers to see and recognize the light. Only God can move an individual in such a way that they will want to seek his face and truly praise and glorify his name. There is no gimmick, no “hook” that can take the place of Christians going into the world and doing His work so all may see. While the gimmicks may be fun to come up with and may even draw a crowd, how many actually come and glorify God?
I must note I love coming up with ideas and gimmicks myself and they may have there place at times, but reaching the world, God told us to go to them. And I still believe that if Christians and churches will spend more time going and doing God’s work and less time trying to get the world to come to them that we will reach a greater number and more will be saved.
A church in the area where I live set a week aside at the end of the summer, I suppose this was there gimmick, and everyday, from sun up to sun down they were doing something throughout the county. Some of the parishioners were preparing food for the less fortunate and assisting at a local soup kitchen, some were at a local rest stop handing out water bottles, some were going to homes doing needed repair work, while still others went to the local police station, fire department, and rescue squads to pray with the men and women trained to serve our community. This was not all they did during that week, but this was just part of what they had chosen as a ministry to GO and do for an entire week from sun up to sun down with no lapse in time where they were not doing God’s work. They asked for no money. They parishioners took turns serving, scheduling their lunch breaks and using vacation time from work in order to go and work. Yes they got publicity; the local newspaper covered the events of the week in detail, but what the people of the community saw was Christians serving and demonstrating God’s love. Oh yeah, the carnival idea that Marcus mentioned, this church had one of those too at the end of the summer. It kicked off bible school.
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Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” I realize that Luke 11:33 says that, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.” And yes, I believe that when people, both believers and unbelievers, when they come into a church should be able to see that light and recognize that light that they may give God praise. But I also believe that the unbeliever must first have a reason to come to that church and no I am not talking about a gimmick. Throughout the New Testament, as Jesus walk on this earth, and even as the disciples went into the world preaching His gospel, people came to see them because they had heard of the good works that were being done – the works of God. Anybody can give away a few T-shirts, some iTunes, and perhaps even a brand new motorcycle or car, but the gifts of God can only come from God. It is God who draws people through the doors of the church, it is God who allows the once unbelievers to see and recognize the light. Only God can move an individual in such a way that they will want to seek his face and truly praise and glorify his name. There is no gimmick, no “hook” that can take the place of Christians going into the world and doing His work so all may see. While the gimmicks may be fun to come up with and may even draw a crowd, how many actually come and glorify God?
I must note I love coming up with ideas and gimmicks myself and they may have there place at times, but reaching the world, God told us to go to them. And I still believe that if Christians and churches will spend more time going and doing God’s work and less time trying to get the world to come to them that we will reach a greater number and more will be saved.
A church in the area where I live set a week aside at the end of the summer, I suppose this was there gimmick, and everyday, from sun up to sun down they were doing something throughout the county. Some of the parishioners were preparing food for the less fortunate and assisting at a local soup kitchen, some were at a local rest stop handing out water bottles, some were going to homes doing needed repair work, while still others went to the local police station, fire department, and rescue squads to pray with the men and women trained to serve our community. This was not all they did during that week, but this was just part of what they had chosen as a ministry to GO and do for an entire week from sun up to sun down with no lapse in time where they were not doing God’s work. They asked for no money. They parishioners took turns serving, scheduling their lunch breaks and using vacation time from work in order to go and work. Yes they got publicity; the local newspaper covered the events of the week in detail, but what the people of the community saw was Christians serving and demonstrating God’s love. Oh yeah, the carnival idea that Marcus mentioned, this church had one of those too at the end of the summer. It kicked off bible school.
# posted by : 9:17 PM
: 9:17 PMLinks to this post:
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