"Selling out the Church" by Philip D. Kenneson and Jim Street

"Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing" by Philip D. Kenneson and Jim Street.5 out of 5 stars.Quite simply, this is an absolutely amazing book.Kenneson and Street boldly declare that the Church's major problem today is that we simply stop looking at the Church as just another business or non-profit organization, and rather look at it rather as a (kingdom) community that God's calling to be a sign, a fortaste, and herald of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because the Church is not just another organization is why baptizing business philosophy and marketing strategy into this community fails. For the underlying principles of business marketing strategies are different than that of the foundations of the kingdom of God.Marketing stratigies foundationally are ultimately geared around the self-interest of the business as well as the consumer. The business says to the consumer, "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine." The consumer then looks at the business as just another commodity.Such a mentality is contrary to two key principles of Christianity: servant-hood and giving. If the church attempts to reach out to others only so that it may profit (e.g. growth), then the church fails to truly give and fails to truly serve. Because ultimately, when it serves and when it gives, strings are attached. The same can be said concerning the consumers mentality, which is one of "church shopping."Also, another problem of church marketing is that those who advocate marketing are fixated on numerical growth. For ultimately to them, it is the only way to plot the success of the mission of the church. Kenneson and Street powerfully asks, what if the mission of the church is not to grow simply in numbers, but rather, what if the goal of the church was simply to manifest the fruits of the Spirit as seen in Galatians 5? Church marketers would shutter at such a thought, for their is no way to translate such things into numerical data. While the authors do not out right say it, but I believe it is hinted at between the lines: ultimately we cannot measure church growth through "scientific" methods, instead, church growth must be measured prophetically.My only problem with this book is that while it offers a great deal of criticism concerning marketing, it does very little to suggest what must be done in light of this criticism. Even the authors admit this in their closing remarks, however, they do encourage us to seek from God the vision to shape our community.

interesting ! 1- of course when one is "church shopping" ,the mentality is "i am looking for_______". we need to have the mentality of what we can GIVE (serving) rather than what we can GET.....2- when the church is making a "sales pitch" to gain new members, only the "happy" points are discussed. those things that are not discussed are "taking up your cross and following Him", "loving Jesus more than spouse or brother or sister or child", and "dying to self". these wouldn't be great "selling points" would they?3-concerning church growth, the word says that paul planted the seeds, apollos watered the seeds, and WHO caused the growth? GOD caused the growth. just a few of my thoughts. i'll have to check this book out! dennis

My only problem with this book is that while it offers a great deal of criticism concerning marketing, it does very little to suggest what must be done in light of this criticism. Even the authors admit this in their closing remarks, however, they do encourage us to seek from God the vision to shape our community. This conclusion pretty much sums up my conflicted feelings on this pervasive issue influencing our churches. Most of today’s” church growth" is achieved by "transfer growth"---courting the choosy faithful. The worst part is that most CG experts acknowledge this and skillfully leverage it. There is nothing inherently evil about marketing per se...it is beneficial in many aspects. Since effective marketing can be viewed simply as better communication, its pragmatism has appeal for the church leader. Yet, marketing lingo is so commonplace in our society that we may not sense how it has influenced not only our church culture, but also even our contemporary theology.Marketing has become the preferred church growth tactic not inspite of commercialism but because of it. Successful commerce is awe inspiring---even to Christians. (Much of modern church leadership culture is interchangable with business leadership culture...)The problem is that marketing and branding are commercial/retail languages that can cast sheep as consumers, and pastors as entrepenuers. Well, consumers are notorious for comparison shopping, and entrepenuers are graded by their bottom line performance. Church management can sometimes morph into customer relationship management---promoting competitive advantages and features of the church and focusing on short-term trends.Such a mentality is contrary to two key principles of Christianity: servant-hood and giving...Also, another problem of church marketing is that those who advocate marketing are fixated on numerical growth. For ultimately to them, it is the only way to plot the success of the mission of the church.This is the crux of the delimma. Even niche marketing is not intended to speak to actual individuals, but rather composite individuals. Church leaders who depend on these techniques are reinforcing a suspicion that many people already have...that the church is not the living stones...it's the brick and mortar with the sign out front. I feel for today's pastors and church leadership. It's can't be easy trying to shepherd in this age of consumer democracy. The other day I was talking with a pastor about an outreach ministry that is slow getting off the ground. I mentioned getting the team together for prayer on a weekly basis. I was told that we could bathe the ministry in prayer all we want but it takes skill to grow a church.The thing is, I reflected, we don't bathe in prayer anymore. We don't even use moist towlettes.MCBTW, if someone's church or ministry is looking for a marketing firm...they might as well hire a good one.(Be sure to check out the case studies.)Marketing Firm specializing in churches

Successful commerce is awe inspiring---even to Christians.Sure it is, depending on the use of measurement. Sad thing seems to be that the end results of all this marketing is a slightly tweaked life rather than a new creation with a new disposition.I was told that we could bathe the ministry in prayer all we want but it takes skill to grow a church.Egads... The ramifications of that statement. How depressing. The only soultion would be to turn that inside out to read..."We can use all the skill of ministry we want, but it takes prayer to grow a church." Luk 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Nobody wants to pray or weep for the Lords church anymore. Sorry, not nobody, but where are the intercessors?The thing is, I reflected, we don't bathe in prayer anymore. We don't even use moist towlettes.Prayer. The ministry with a "Help Wanted" sign always out front.

"We can use all the skill of ministry we want, but it takes prayer to grow a church." between this statement and ...Luk 10:2 "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest."are the two examples of the sickness in the church today. Its called "humanism" doing things for God, but with out God leading or directing, and most likely, Not even behind many ministries that appear to be sucessful. Yes I agree, we as a whole don't see the need to pray, we don't want to be bothered with it. The message at my church this morning, makes me want to throw-up! It was full of the humanistic thinking that is so rampant in the purposed driven church-life today. Can someone tell me that their church is balanced and the leadership fears the Lord, so i can have a little Hope?

Quote: Joshua99 wrote"The message at my church this morning, makes me want to throw-up! It was full of the humanistic thinking that is so rampant in the purposed driven church-life today."I truly and dearly understand what you are saying and what you feel my brother. I got up and walked out this morning in utter disgust for the same reasons of which you mention. All I could hear and smell was death - the stench filling my nose until I could not take any longer (not the good kind of death as in - to the flesh - to the world - to self -etc., but the bad kind as in - spiritual - stagnant - rotting etc.) As I was driving home the Lord pricked my heart with guilt for not standing up and confronting the pastors and congregation with words of condemnation, wrath, judgment, then resurrection and life - “enough is enough I can’t take it anymore - AWAKE, AWAKE, AWAKE!!!” The word of God is like a fire shut up in my bone ready to spring forth like a trumpet calling for repentance in the face of coming judgment!I understand the feelings of sickness and disgust of which you speak. I don’t know about you my brother, but I can’t sit quiet or just walk out any longer. They can drag me out into the parking lot and stone me to death, but my face would glow like Stephens. At this point I just don’t care. I am tiered of holding it in. Please pray for me as I will pray for you.The condition of the churches is sickening - God send us men who are willing to stand up speak your Words of life and die if necessary. Dear God help us and send us prophets in this crisis hour!!!