Church Marketing Sucks: Tony Morgan Thinks Churches Should Stop Marketing

Kevin Hendricks has a great post at Church Marketing Sucks: Church Marketing Sucks: Tony Morgan Thinks Churches Should Stop Marketing There are several authors and experts recommending that churches stop marketing the church. I've heard a number of unconvincing (to me) reasons why. Let's have a moment of truth here: You cannot not market your church. That double negative was intentional. Those who suggest that we stop marketing simply do not understand what it is. As Kevin Hendricks says, "marketing happens". That ought to be the title of his next book. You could choose to not have a web site, not have a logo, no signage, no entry in the phone book, no mailings, etc. And you still will market your church. What kind of music do you sing? Marketing. Hymnals, song sheets or video projection? Marketing. Version of the Bible you preach from? Marketing. How does your clergy dress? Marketing. What kind of paper, font and colors do you use for your bulletin? Do you even have a bulletin? Marketing. All of those choices and a myriad more have marketing implications. Simply, they communicate information about your church -- whether it be beliefs, tastes and preferences or culture -- to an audience. Your existence and how you exist communicates information about your organization. Marketing happens.