Toronto Anglican Bishops Offer Personal Invitations on The Streets

I personally believe that their “campaign” is ineffective…namely…its been done before….handing out tracts. The only difference is that it was the Bishop and they were clothed in full uniform.

There’s another reason why I don’t think it’ll work: they need a fundamental shift. According to reports I’ve read many Catholic churches are losing members because they’re seen as irrelevant and bureaucratic. So what do they decide to do? People are not coming, let’s go get ‘em. But I think this is putting the cart before the horse. It deals with the fruit and not the root. But thats what most ministries do.

Rather than get a new purpose and new vision (or a fundamental shift) they try better marketing. But let’s say they get a couple of people? The people that thought the ministry was ineffective will probably feel the exact same way coming back. Its like a husband who tries to win back his estranged wife. He tells her he’s changed, no more drinking, the place will be cleaner, and so on. She says, “Alright, I’ll give him another chance.” She comes back to find the house dirty, beer cans all over the place, everything mostly the same it was. What is she gonna do? Leave–feeling even more upset!

Now if he worked on himself, his character (or had a fundamental shift) THEN he can call her back…because he can live up to his promise.

Marketing without a fundamental shift is still bad publicity.

Another thing, I disagree with your stance on “interruption marketing.” Because marketing in its essence is interruption.

In an age where we’re swamped with ads that tell us to “buy this” “trust this” “donate here” “eat this” don’t eat this” “come to this church” “don’t go to that church” “come see this person speak” and etc. The only thing that’s scarce this day is (is not content) its attention.

So I believe marketing (especially good one) has an interruption element. It breaks us out of our routine. It boldly promises, proclaims, and announces something!

The early prophets, Jesus, the apostles, Paul are all examples of people who “interrupted” the flow of everyday life to “market” something. Whether it be a warning or good news.

Whew!

This is the longest reply I think I’ve ever written…LOL! But it was something that struck a chord with me.

Alright I’m done.

Be blessed.

HA! Thats great Michael, Thanks for sharing your passion. And…I stand corrected on the point of interruption marketing. You are correct. All marketing is interruption marketing – the impact of the campaign or tool all depends on the effectiveness of the interruption.

This interruption the bishops were attempting is awkward and lacking in relationship or compelling substance. The invitation does not come with trust or with a perceived promise. Hence ineffective.

The value proposition is missing the fundamental shift that you refer to above. The big question the church has to ask itself is what has changed that will connect with people in a meaningful way that actually addresses the needs they have. Our culture needs the hope and love of Jesus as much now as ever. What “the church” needs to do is make sure their structure and programs address and relevantly meet those needs in such a way that people identify their need and see the solution that a life with Jesus provides them. The marketing has to clearly communicate the need/solution value proposition in such a way that people will step out of their comfort zone to investigate that promise.

Thanks again!

Exactly!!!

Hence, the need for a fundamental shift.

The product at its core is PHENOMENAL: the love and favor of God through Christ Jesus. How we package it is the problem!

Great post David

Thanks Mike. Packaging is also marketing even if most churches don’t like to talk about packaging. Packaging matters…but what matters most is the core content…we can never sway from the core!