My church has no gym and in a way I am glad. My kids love youth sports and it takes a lot of our time. I feel good that they can learn that the most important decision in this life is what you do with Jesus and not whether you should go for it on 4th down.

I can only speak for my church. This past winter we had "UpWards Basketball" On an average Saturday morning we had over 400 people in our Gym. During haft-time there is a devotion for every game, the kids learn bible verses, they get stars for different reasons but none for high scorer. During the week they are asked to do things and share on Saturday. Of these 400 folks just a few are members of the church. Its an outreach tool. We have a fall festival on October 31st, Wednesday nite suppers, etc. I don't think Jesus would say this is wrong. What was his first miracle? "let the little children come to me".

I dunno what's been said on here previous to my post, just read the title of the thread and went from the heart, God said "go and be fishers of men", in my mind that's saying bring people to me, show them the way, and I don't see how that could be anything but marketing. The only thing that sounds bad about this is marketing this day in age is such a dirty word to so many people and something some don't care to hear about...

We are told to go I agree, we stumble when we lose sight of the purpose. All things can be used for God's glory if we maintain our focus on him.

I can only speak for my church. This past winter we had "UpWards Basketball" On an average Saturday morning we had over 400 people in our Gym. During haft-time there is a devotion for every game, the kids learn bible verses, they get stars for different reasons but none for high scorer. During the week they are asked to do things and share on Saturday. Of these 400 folks just a few are members of the church. Its an outreach tool. We have a fall festival on October 31st, Wednesday nite suppers, etc. I don't think Jesus would say this is wrong. What was his first miracle? "let the little children come to me".

I am one of the Upward Coordinators at our church and it is a phenomenal program. We have brought more people into our church via this program than any other.

 

And the lessons are first rate. One of our coaches remarked that they had learned things teaching the lessons to their 3rd grade team.

 

http://www.upward.org

Upward is a great program (I started a league at my church). Beth Moore conducts great programs. All these things are great programs. But "programs" are generally aimed and designed for self-improvement, the personal relationship with Christ, focused on the self, the self, the self. This is where the line blurs. "Go ye thereforth . . ." Where is the going out into the community? Where is the going into the homes of the poor and the sick? Winterizing houses for the elderly? The home building? The trash-picking up? The soup kitchens in the field? I know that there are many that do these things, but it seems to be lessening, in favor of trying to get people to come behind the walls of our own fortresses. At some point, they just might not come. I think we've got to go get them.

Upward is a great program (I started a league at my church). Beth Moore conducts great programs. All these things are great programs. But "programs" are generally aimed and designed for self-improvement, the personal relationship with Christ, focused on the self, the self, the self. This is where the line blurs. "Go ye thereforth . . ." Where is the going out into the community? Where is the going into the homes of the poor and the sick? Winterizing houses for the elderly? The home building? The trash-picking up? The soup kitchens in the field? I know that there are many that do these things, but it seems to be lessening, in favor of trying to get people to come behind the walls of our own fortresses. At some point, they just might not come. I think we've got to go get them.

I agree and think it is both and a balance is essential. They have to feel like they are part of the family and willing to come to the "fortress" while we must feel a "burning" desire to get out.

 

Of course, there are some on here that would tell you we shouldn't and just wait till they ask. :sssh:

Absolutely we should minister out in our communities. If we do that and people see Christ in us they will be drawn. Were you not drawn to God before you accepted the gift of salvation. We must go and serve, if we do God will call and he will receive the glory.

Absolutely we should minister out in our communities. If we do that and people see Christ in us they will be drawn. Were you not drawn to God before you accepted the gift of salvation. We must go and serve, if we do God will call and he will receive the glory.

Marketing!:thumb:

Marketing without getting hung up on numbers or property. Marketing with the results being God's.

Marketing without getting hung up on numbers or property. Marketing with the results being God's.

I believe it is in Phillipians where Paul warns of those preaching by false motives or selfish ambition. He then goes on to say that it doesn't matter, as long as Christ is preached. If our motives are to spread the Gospel, I think you're missing the boat so to speak if you don't "market" to some degree. It's not about increasing your enrollment or hoping to boost your tithes, those numbers of folks who darken the doors of your church represent souls who will hopefully be receptive to the message. You can say what you want about the "etiquette" that is socially acceptable today, but make no mistake, God is interested in numbers, otherwise it would not be His will that none perish.

I believe it is in Phillipians where Paul warns of those preaching by false motives or selfish ambition. He then goes on to say that it doesn't matter, as long as Christ is preached. If our motives are to spread the Gospel, I think you're missing the boat so to speak if you don't "market" to some degree. It's not about increasing your enrollment or hoping to boost your tithes, those numbers of folks who darken the doors of your church represent souls who will hopefully be receptive to the message. You can say what you want about the "etiquette" that is socially acceptable today, but make no mistake, God is interested in numbers, otherwise it would not be His will that none perish.

The results belong to God and not the church. We can't get caught up in "look at what we've done" If we do what is asked of us God will take care of the rest.

 

Good luck tonight in your "foosball" game. I was going to show, but we changed service this week to Tuesday to allow for a special presentation related to Aaron, the tribe of Levi, and the Temple. (Hope this guy doesn't go into the Holy of Holies unless this is the Day of Atonement) Special church service, and now I am marketing it on this board, go figure. If anyone would like details send me a PM.

The results belong to God and not the church. We can't get caught up in "look at what we've done" If we do what is asked of us God will take care of the rest.

 

Good luck tonight in your "foosball" game. I was going to show, but we changed service this week to Tuesday to allow for a special presentation related to Aaron, the tribe of Levi, and the Temple. (Hope this guy doesn't go into the Holy of Holies unless this is the Day of Atonement) Special church service, and now I am marketing it on this board, go figure. If anyone would like details send me a PM.

That is my point, God is interested in numbers of souls who by their own free will accept him. It is my hope that we never fall into the category of "look what we've done", and frankly hope that we should say, "we should have done more, for God's glory alone".

 

BTW, thanks for the well wishes for the foosball game. With the forecast, we will need a "waterboy".

I do a lot of work with Federal Agencies. Their vernacular is 50 years behind the rest of society. “Marketing” is considered a dirty word to be shunned, whereas we have learned that a term such as “community education” (which in actual application describes the very same methods and processes) receives their full endorsement. Same process, same results, different words… semantics.

 

The bottom line is that the Great Commission is still in effect, (“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”) I’ve heard it wisely stated, “A hungry stomach has no ears” meaning that it doesn’t make good sense to preach to the starving. They are understandibly preoccupied with their physical discomfort. By feeding them first, not only are they more inclined to hear your message, they also see you putting into practice what you preach… before you preach it.

 

Very few people in America are truly starving from a lack of food, but many are starving spiritually, physically and mentally. Programs that feed these genuine needs first, in order to open ears to the true gospel cannot be condemned… improved upon certainly, but not condemned. :thumb:

 

If that’s what you mean by “marketing” I'm for it.

Fastbreak after reading all the posts I was thinking the same thing. Also there are some great posts on here.