"Churches seeking pastors with marketing skill"

[Bluebear]

A year ago, the Rev. Scott Schlotfelt was weighing job offers from three churches smitten by what he had to offer.

But they weren't talking about his preaching or counseling skills. What they were seeking, like a number of churches across the United States, was some savvy marketing. And like a growing number of pastors, consultants, and volunteers, Mr. Schlotfelt was eager to do some branding for the Lord.

"I've kind of had a heart for marketing, I think a lot of churches are looking for outreach" specialists, says Schlotfelt, outreach pastor at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Md. He received his undergraduate degree in marketing, then studied for the ministry and helped congregations build up their images through advertising in Las Vegas and Amarillo, Texas.

"It's the medium of marketing that's used to get a message across , whether it's an election or you're trying to sell a product," he adds. "But in this case, we're just trying to hear the hope of a new life that is eternal."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20050819/ts_csm/apastorcorp&printer=1

[BiggJawn]

1. See? They ARE "Salvation Salesmen"

They're "trying to sell a product" all right, it's called "GUILT", and if you rub it the right way, it just makes those 20's and 50's hit the collection tub by the bale...

[onager]

2. Example of a failed marketing campaign

(As posted elsewhere, but I can't find the thread now...)

Back in 1999, the Anglican church decided to create a deliberately "controversial" marketing campaign in Britain, hoping to lure people back to church.

Pfft! It was only "controversial" to a few arch-conservatives, who considered it blasphemous...to the surprise of exactly no one.

All in all, the Big Controversial Campaign was a huge flop. Brits and their wallets continued to avoid church.

Wonder if this was a reason...

The poster can be obtained either electronically or on paper.

The image is copyright and the work of the Churches' Advertising Network is funded by the sale of posters. Nonetheless we want it to be widely available and we hope that you will buy a copy.

For non-commercial use the cost is 30 pounds sterling payable to...



http://www.ely.anglican.org/advertising/