Interesting article by James Howell, pastor of a large Methodist church in Charlotte.  He talks about the uneasiness most church-folk have when it comes to church marketing.

I hate the shallow, empty “spin” that comes spewing out of many churches as much as anyone else.  But I think there’s a danger in exorcizing everything that smacks of “marketing”. Marketing doesn’t have to be slimy – effective marketing is about articulating an identity and inviting others to experience a new reality.  To put it in Christian terms, we are called to tell our Story.  Our Story comes from our mission and our identity as the People of God.

I wonder – are so many church people uncomfortable with marketing because they can’t articulate our Story?

“For he has granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well…”  (Philippians 1.29)

Do you believe in Jesus?  So what.  Does your discipleship cost you power, prestige, status, esteem, money, time, energy, friendships, comfort, convenience, calm, livelihood, influence, dignity, even life itself?  Now you’re getting closer.

Paul calls the Philippian church to “have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave….
he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death
– even death on a cross.”  (2.5-8)

What would an empty church look like?  What would a worship service sound like at a church that was enslaved?  Would you invite your friends to an Easter Sunday service at a church that was obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross?

Most idols are innocuous, and most worship doesn’t happen in a pew. An idol’s power lies in its ability to embed itself into the fabric of your life. Idols come to life when they make themselves normal, ordinary, invisible.

Where are the invisible idols in your life? What seems routine, natural, even taken-for-granted in the world? Those things that we assume or ignore may have more of a hold on our hearts than we realize.

Following Jesus is hard. If discipleship fits too neatly into your life, you may need to check and see who you’re following.