Easy Like Sunday Morning

There's a song that says, "I'm easy like Sunday morning." (Now it's stuck in your head. You're welcome!) I've always said that the writer of that song was never in ministry. For those of us who are, Sunday mornings aren't that easy. However, in talking about the "musts" of church marketting, we need to make sure that we are making it easy for those in our congregation to spread the word.


Often times those of us in church leadership get on our soapboxes, preaching to others about the Great Commission, leading others to Christ, inviting people to church without ever thinking that they may not even know how. Most church attenders have never been taught how to tell their story. Few have the outgoing social skills and bravery to invite complete strangers to a Sunday church service with them. That's why in this day we need to give people an easy way to invite others to church and tell others about Jesus.



When asked about this many pastors will say they have little money to produce such items. The budget just simply wouldn't allow. But the fact of the matter is that there are plenty of free ways to give your church goers an easy way to tell their friends.

Some easy examples:

1. Social Media: We will have a blog up in a few weeks about some ways to incorporate social media in
                          churches marketting but it deserves a mention here. If you're a leader and you don't have a
                          Facebook and Instagram account, stop reading right now and go set one up! It's absolutely
                          free and allows you to reach more people in a few minutes than you will probably see all
                         week.

2. Graphics: Many will say that they don't have the know-how to create quality graphics. I'm not talking
                   about professional logos here. Most of us have smart phones. There are plenty of apps available
                   that allow you to create nice looking graphics for little money. (Instaquote & WordSwag are
                   two that we use.) Put those in your bulletins and on social media and let people post away!

I'm afraid that we as church leaders have used a lack of money as an excuse! No more excuses! Get creative! God gave us all brains, let's use them to come up with inexpensive ways to make it easy for those who follow us to tell everyone they know about what God is going in and through our churches! We are a part of the most important entity of all time: The Church! Let's go out and tell the world!

Who are you?

Who are you? Everyone wants and needs to know the answer to that very important questions.  Your "brand" should always convey that. It has to be more than just a great looking logo. What is Gods calling on your ministry, your message, your mission, your passion and desire for the kingdom. Lets be honest, " Church Marketing " and "Church Branding" at times can seem like "ugly words". But they are important! Let me be blunt. This isn't a competition to see if your church attendance is greater than that of your friends church. This isn't about being the fasting growing church in your region. Its about Jesus! The life of freedom and redemption in Christ is too important not to understand how crucial it is.

 So what is Branding? Keeping it simple, Branding is communicating clearly who you are. Too many  times we can get lost in the midst of complexity. Simplicity is key and most times very difficult. Can you define your ministry in 2-3 words?  Once you are able to clearly define your ministry, how do you make sure that your community knows who you are.  Lets look at the what may seem to be the obvious but many times over looked, Consistency. You must stay consistent with your brand and your message. The people in your community need to know that you message doesn't waiver and change, that your mission stays on course. 

I was speaking with a pastor friend of mine the other day about a outreach they had done in the community.  As part of the outreach, they were giving away water bottles on a hot summer day in a busy part of town. All the water bottles had a custom sticker on them with the just the church logo, location and times of church service and simple invitation. One man that received a water bottle said  " I notice you guys are always doing things like this for our community, thanks! " People notice ministries that are consistent in their message.  

We are in a time that is vastly different from what it was only 10 years ago. 80% of people are finding a church to visit online. No longer is the family packing up in the car and driving around town to look for a church. The are going to your website.  What will be their impression of you when they get their? Make sure the message of your church is clear, simple and consistant in every aspect of your branding.  From flyers, mailings, social media, promotional items and even water bottles, the brand you convey across media, print and web is continually defining you to your community.