what is the goal of marketing your church ?

The Christian faith looses over 3000 members daily.   Thats an astounding number – these are not people just leaving the local church – but the Faith.

I think a lot of this has to do with Friendship.    All to often I am asked – Glenn will this help increase the membership in my church?   and all to often I want to scream, stamp my feet, have a hisssy-fit and say — YOUR ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION !!!! @#$!#@*$*$#(#$*(@#!($#*(!@#$)!@#$   Then the Spirit of the Lord kicks me in the shin – and I answer…

Your primary goal is the key to your failure -   Membership is not the primary goal, neither is attendance.   Nothing should ever replace friendship as a primary goal.  Nothing.

I once was asked – Glenn what is so great about heaven,  what is so great about the church ..    FRIENDSHIP is the answer. I know its not the most liturgically correct answer – but its my answer.

I believe the Kingdom of God is all about friendship – finding friends, being a friend,  bringing other friends to be friends with your friends – and most importantly – introducing your friends to Jesus – The only Friend that will never leave or forsake us.

So what is the goal of marketing in your church ?   Is it  about numbers – the number of people in the pew’s during service ?   Is it about the number of people you can convince to join the church as a member – as if this was the cooler place to belong vs. the Elk lodge ?

Don’t get me wrong – discipleship, conversion, community impact, etc… are all great goals – but Friendship is the key:   Friendship is the vision – Friendship is the goal that preceeds all others…