So true, it's scary

I saw this parody today. Man, this is so true it's actually hard to watch. Too many churches have gotten by like this for too long. It's no wonder numbers are in decline.

Comments

[B. Lee Maize]

Mike-

Thanks for sharing this video. I wish there was a video to show what it should be like. It seems like every seminar I go to regarding minsitry promotes the starbucks church mentality....the very nature of ministry marketing is to copy/borrow many of the methods major companies spend thousands of dollars devoloping.

SO how do we get the word out and make sure it is still organic and not mass produced. I know it starts with us first knowing Christ in a real way...not just being religious. Maybe part of it is owning the message...anyway we spend a good amount of effort trying to make sure our brand is acurate and that we are where the people are and that they have all the right info about us.

DO we scrap all the good practices? and if we do for what...

Many CCCA seminars promote this market mentality. We end up with McCamps everywhere. Don't get me wrong I love CCCA. But aren't we a part of the problem? It is easy for us to say don't be like this....but what should we be like?

Just recently I was asked to consult on working with donors and just yesterday to consult on marketing. My answer to both was I can tell you what worked for us but in the end it is history, our people, instinct and God's grace. More the later... and I'm not just saying that...because it sounds Christian. The relaity is God has done more here then anyone ever thought possible, even me...and he has done it well beyond our efforts or skill.

That is the seminar I want to hear....do your best and let God do the rest...even as I say it, it already sounds to programmed. I can see the outline already can't you?..the notes..maybe even the book and ofcourse the DVD.

In the end there are methods that work..but they are not for everybody. In the process of trying to be sharp and excellant we loose our individuality and end up just like everyone else....even starbucks.

But that all brings me back to what should we be doing if it is not using some of the same methods? How do we stay organic and relevant with out being cookie cutter? HOw do we reach people without making them cattle that we run through the shoot...name rank and serial number. sign here and here is the free mug?

Lee

[Mike]

You've nailed it Lee. I've seen so many churches and camps for that matter just pick up marketing "schemes" they've learned from the pros like Starbucks or Disney...folks who have to be good to survive.
I think the reason I like this video so much is that it really shows the stark contrast not only between Starbucks and the church but also between modern culture and a religious culture that is woefully out of date. In short, they just don't get it.
There was a time when folks moved to a new town they automatically searched for a church. There was a time when kids got married and if they were raised in a church, they looked for a church to call home. If you were a part of a strong denomination, it refined your search even more. Say what you want about the level of commitment or the depth of belief...the Church (capital C) was an important part of our culture. As you know...this no longer exists.
The video shows the attitude of the church that folks coming in the door will understand the art, they'll understand the language, the traditions, the "tribal" customs. It also assumes that folks coming in the door will forgive the short-sighted thinking or ignorance because they so badly want to be in the tribe they'll put up with the awkwardness...they'll work their way through the learning curve.
And that's the critical piece. People won't do that anymore. Who knows what motivates people to visit a church for the first time but sadly, the church often drops the ball when it comes to just being real, being authentic, being open and warm.
We can definitely learn from those in the secular field who get it. We can watch and learn.
I've often thought that the church could learn a lot from the local bar on the corner "where everybody knows your name."
But what makes it real is when you begin to attract people who get it. They are real, they are authentic, they aren't playing the games. They in turn will attract like-minded people. But the minute this is institutionalized and an emphasis is put on numbers instead of lives, the cause is lost.