Reinvent The Church Like Starbucks
Last week I had the opportunity to visit the original Starbucks store in Pike Place Market in Seattle. I am not a huge fan of Starbucks coffee but I do love the Starbucks story. They of course are subject of more than a few business case studies. Recently, the story is how Howard Schultz is reinventing Starbucks.
Schultz says:
“what we’ve tried to do, more than anything else, is put our feet in the shoes of our customers and really ask, what are they experiencing at Starbucks?”
This got me thinking about reinventing church. All too often churches are perceived as no longer being relevant. Churches need to get back to basics and reinvent how they practically connect with people in their communities.
Much of this has to do with leadership. Each church’s leadership has to craft a solid biblically based mission and vision. Not just a mission statement that hangs on the church wall. One that is practically implemented down the hall by all the sub-ministries.
Leadership needs to be certain they have a strong Jesus-centred mission and vision. Then that needs to permeate every aspect of ministry the church conducts. Leaders must lead and lead strong. Without strong leadership Starbucks became distracted from their original vision. Without strong leadership churches become distracted from reaching into their communities and having a meaningful life-changing impact.
Once a church has it’s community mission and vision clearly in tact it needs to start doing some market research on how to connect with people in the local culture. Try to be like Starbucks…put your feet in the shoes of your church attendees and possible attendees and ask what they are experiencing and what ways you can be relevant.
Leaders…please lead. It will make a huge difference!
Image via Flickr: jaygoldman
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http://www.marketinginprogress.com Brett Duncan, MarketingInProgress.com
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