May 2009 Archives

Funny thing about this blog - nothing for ages then way too much to pass on for one day... and always when I'm at my busiest (trying to clear the decks to take a couple of weeks' holiday!).

Anyway, I've been reading a book with a title sure to raise at least a few hackles: Church Marketing 101 by Richard L Reising. It's a relatively lightweight 'take' on how churches are seen by outsiders, but he has a refreshingly straightforward approach to church growth and asks some very good questions.

Two things strike me as especially pertinent given our planning towards a two-service pattern for September...

Firstly, the distinction he makes between "lateral growth" (drawing in people from other churches) and "vertical growth" (from unchurched backgrounds). It's clearly the latter that's our key aim - we've no interest whatsoever in growing at other's expense. The question he poses for us is: "Do people leave a service at All Souls thinking: 'I wish my (churched) friend had been here - they'd have loved it!' or 'My (non-church-going) friend would have loved it!'?" Quite a difference...

Secondly, though, he asks what sorts of things prevent people inviting their (unchurched or dechurched) friend along - he suggests six questions that are, consciously or unconsciously, being weighed up by church members. I wonder what you'd respond about an average service here - and how we could make things better for those who come - either of their own accord (as so many have over the last few years) or by invitation:

1. Will my friend feel welcomed?
   Hospitality - The atmosphere, nomenclature, and style of service should be inviting and not intimidating to the unchurched.
   
   
2. Will my friend fit in?
   Comfort and compatibility - Like it or not, invitations and visitor comfort decrease when cultural gaps exist.
   
   
3. Can I feel confident that I know how the service will turn out?
   Consistency - People need to know what to expect, because they will invite accordingly.
   
   
4. Will my friend get something out of it?
   Relevance - The message should be relevant and powerful for people at all spiritual levels.
   
   
5. Will my friend understand it?
   Understanding - Jesus taught through practical illustrations. The songs and message should be understandable for people at all spiritual levels.
   
   
6. Will anything that could seem strange to the unchurched be explained through Scripture?
   Sensitivity - Scriptural actions should be carried out with clarity and considerate explanation.

What would you change about All Souls first to make it even more likely that we'll feel comfortable inviting friends on a Sunday?

A quick thought in the light of this article in the NYTimes about trying to toughen up the rules on credit cards to reduce over-borrowing and levels of debt...

Surely I can't be the only or the first person to think that some of the problem is in the name?

If the law banned use of the term "Credit Card" and forced issuers to call them a Debt Card (in advertising and literature) they'd be a whole lot less attractive - and perhaps I/we'd use them more wisely? The thought "I'll put it on credit" sounds easier than "I'll increase my debt"...

Apologies for the silly pun... but my brother, Jonathan, has just started as CEO of FEBA Radio and they've just produced this four minute promo video for supporters. Many people think we sound identical - I'll leave you to be the judge!

They're a great organisation, "broadcasting hope" to some of the very hardest-to-reach people groups in the world... and I'm not just saying that because of the family link! Do find out more and see if it's something you'd like to get behind yourself.

Pure genius, this - worth watching for the sheer brilliance of taking a potentially difficult situation - and turning it for great effect (much like watching a top batsman use the pace of a fast bowler to hit a six) - but the message is bang on too.

Obama was dealing with the spin created by the break with tradition created by the refusal of Arizona state officials to grant him an honourary degree when he spoke at an awards ceremony at the university - saying that he hadn't achieved enough yet to deserve one! Here's how he knocked it over the boundary...

Thanks to Maggi on her blog for the TED commandments...

TED - whose web strapline is: Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world - hosts speakers each year, presenting on topics ranging as widely as the latest advances in technology to cultural or philosophical proposals. If you've never watched any of the TED videos (and I've linked to quite a few in the past), then go and have a surf - you won't agree with all you hear and you'll find most of the provoking and thoughtful.

And how do they keep their speakers' input at such a high standard? Apparently, these are the ten commandments they send to their speakers - and several of them are particularly appropriate for preachers to chew on:

2. Thou Shalt Dream a Great Dream, or Show Forth a Wondrous New Thing, Or Share Something Thou Hast Never Shared Before.

3. Thou Shalt Reveal thy Curiosity and Thy Passion.

4. Thou Shalt Tell a Story.

6. Thou Shalt Not Flaunt thine Ego. Be Thou Vulnerable. Speak of thyFailure as well as thy Success.

8. Thou Shalt Remember all the while: Laughter is Good.

9. Thou Shalt Not Read thy Speech.

10. Thou Shalt Not Steal the Time of Them that Follow Thee.

Challenging stuff, especially for those of us who preach regularly - would be an interesting exercise, though not one for the faint-hearted or insecure, to get some scoring on the above for any given sermon! Not that I'm offering you understand...

Reckon Jesus would have scored pretty high!