Inside a growing church you will find the following dynamics . . . They know it is not that they are Presbyterian that makes them go and grow. It is that they are willing to invite people to come to know Jesus Christ! They know that visitors and strangers are the most important people! They know that they are not selling but rather marketing a relationship with Jesus Christ and those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Their desire is to get returning visitors and strangers … Selling is developing a program and trying to sell it to someone. Marketing is discovering needs and filling them. Selling is “People should come and enjoy what we provide.” Marketing is “What do we need to do to get others here?” Selling is “Always the same people do all the work.” Marketing is “Let’s ask folk what they would like to do?” Selling is “We have always done it that way.” Marketing is “What is the best for the most people?” Selling is “We need to be as efficient as possible.” Marketing is “We need to be faithful.” Selling is “Do we have enough money?” Marketing is “How do we raise the money to do what God is asking?” Selling is the bottom line. Marketing is heaven bent. Growing congregations know that caring for people needs organization . . . Only two out of ten people can join an already existing group(s). People want to belong, but we need to reach out to them intentionally. Growing congregations know they must do research continually . . . Tertiary Research - Local newspaper(s) - Magazines - Issues in conversations Secondary Research - Gas Company - Census Data - Light and Electric Company - Public School(s) Projection(s) - Health Department - Regional Planning Commission, etc. Primary Research - Percept Information via PC( - Recent - Telephone Surveys - Focus Groups - Paper Surveys - Personal Interviews - Principles of Primary Research within the Church a. Do within a set period b. Respond with a report back within a set deadline to session c. Be specific both before and after about use of survey information Growing congregation know they need a plan! Disciples of Christ and Presbyterian Media |