Ministry and Business Widgets, Again - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Last week I blogged about the brilliant viral marketing behind the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. They've used simple "widgets" to spread the previews of the film across the web and reach millions of potential movie goers. I also told you how you can use Sprout to build such widgets to make your ministry or binistry (business that's your ministry) go viral.

Amazon.com deploys widgets in an equally wise, but different way. Kindly notice the Amazon widget on this page, through which you can buy great evangelistic and business books and thereby support this blog ministry. The genius of Amazon's widgets is that they're completely customizable. Slideshows big and small, audio, video and countless combinations thereof are available to Amazon re-sellers. Follow their example with your own viral media.

Create a free SproutBuilder account and build three different widgets. Vary them in size and content and then make them available through your website. As I've said before, the big advantage of Sprout is that changes to your main widget are automatically posted to all versions of the widget deployed across the internet.

Do you own a construction company? Create a few slideshow widgets featuring your various standard home models and building projects, with links for more info. These could then be placed on the websites of your regular lending partners.

Do you operate an audio ministry, a la the tremendous Faith Comes by Hearing? Create a widget like the one on the left side of this blog, complete with mp3 links, basic "about us" info, and more. This media could easily be added to the websites and blogs of supporting churches and other ministry friends.

The Amazon.com widget lesson is simple: allow folks to decide which widget they want to use to promote and partner with your ministry or binistry. The old days of providing a simple static link to your website are going bye, bye fast. Making a handful of widgets available, will allow you to offer true value-added content to your ministry or binistry network.

Happy widgeting...

Taking Credit For Versus Taking Pride In - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

First, greetings to the many folks from mainland China, Korea, and throughout Asia who are stopping by our blog. Thanks to you and our other visitors from around the world. I'm truly excited to see the Lord expand our audience across the globe.

Think back to your school days. Mine were filled with crushes on girls who weren't interested, spending what little money I had on baseball cards, and feigning sickness so I could stay home to watch The Price is Right and The Family Feud.

Thankfully, my mom usually saw through my charade and sent me to school. There my teachers taught me not to plagiarize or otherwise steal and take credit for someone else's work.
As I pondered this while cleaning the kitchen yesterday, the Lord hit me with this: if we teach our kids not to take credit where credit isn't due, why don't we practice the same in ministry and in business?

Think of your latest ministry or corporate success? Then consider the Spirit-inspired words of the Apostle James: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Next, ponder that God sends harvest-producing rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Even if you're not a Christian, God is graciously providing for you.

(By the way, if you're not a Christ-follower, time is not on your side to confess you're a rebel from God and turn to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. I digress...)

Perhaps no other experience teaches you to recognize the clear work of God on your behalf like being a ministry fundraiser or owning a business.

I hate to admit it, but I'm a closet fundraiser. That's right, a fundraiser. I cringe even as I pen those words. Not that I don't like helping people tell their ministry story. I just don't appreciate the tendency in fundraising work to take credit for the clear provision of Jehovah Jireh.

Once upon a time, my job was to travel the States raising funds for Christian ministry. When cash came in, I was "clearly gifted." When times were lean, my bosses questioned what I was doing with my time. I found it to be a most-vexing situation.

God used that time to teach me to trust Him more--a lesson I'm definitely still learning. He also used my fundraising days to instill in me a real conviction to give God credit for the things He's done. This doesn't mean that I can't take pride in my work and all the successes God brings in my walk with Him. (see Galatians 6:4) It simply entails not plagiarizing God's work by passing it off as my own.

Reflect on your business or your vocational ministry. Are you actively seeking to glorify God through your efforts and to give Him the glory for your success? Or are you content simply to thank Him for your talents and the money & people He brings your way, with a secret nod to your own greatness. Confidence in the Spirit's calling and gifting is biblical. (see Ephesians 3:1-12) Trusting in yourself and proffering God's work as your own is foolish and destructive. (see Proverbs 28:26)

As co-laborers with Christ in church, parachurch, and workplace ministry, we should take pride in God and in His work in our lives. But we must not plagiarize the clear work of God by celebrating ourselves as the source of the success He brings.

Gotta go. The Price is Right is coming on down...

Business as Mission - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Isn't this time of year grand? Countless hours spent filing personal and corporate taxes, knowing that the documents you request from your bank should arrive about the time we see a free Tibet.

Yesterday I blogged about business as ministry. Today I want to introduce you to the world of business as mission. But before we go there, let me encourage you pastors and ministry leaders.

If you don't already have one, I strongly encourage you to start a prayer chain devoted to the Christian business owners and other marketplace-shaping believers in your midst. If they're walking rightly with Christ, these business leaders are seeking the Spirit's provision and guidance to take care of their employees and grow their businesses, to the glory of God. They're also likely looking to use their businesses and the proceeds from them, to advance God's kingdom. What an incredible responsibility!

No, I'm not asking you tap dance around company leaders and coddle them. (See James 2 for more on that.) But you might want to stop and consider the unique opportunities the Lord is providing business people and prayerfully consider how the Spirit might lead you to intercede for and equip Christian professionals "for the work of service."

Now to business as mission...

In a nutshell, business as mission is the notion that your business is your mission, that your mission is your business. Business as mission practitioners seek to use their God-given talents to start and/or operate successful companies which meet real-world needs and provide a platform to advance Christ's kingdom. Of course, as with all evangelistic/discipleship endeavors, the fruit comes not from the plan, but from God "who makes it grow."

Quite frankly, the whole business as missions movement is a big departure from past dichotomizing between business and ministry. You're either in business or ministry, right? Business people are there to make money, support pastors and fund ministry, right? God hasn't bestowed talents upon marketplace Christians and provided them with unique opportunities to expand His kingdom, has He? He has!

Certainly Christ certainly gave the first-century apostles and prophets, and now evangelists and pastor-teachers to equip believers "until we all attain...to the measure of the fullness of Christ." God has also sovereignly and uniquely empowered Christian business people to shine as children of light in the midst of our crooked and perverse generation. As I mentioned yesterday, Priscilla and Aquila were two such folks.

Notice the eternal work of the Spirit through this biblical power couple. First, the Lord used Priscilla and Aquila to provide shelter for Paul. (Acts 18:3) Later, in part surely because they had acquired skills through which they could care for themselves just about anywhere, Priscilla and Aquila journeyed with Paul to Ephesus. (Acts 18:18-19) Finally, Priscilla and Aquila discipled Apollos in the whole truth about our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Acts 18:24-28) How the Spirit moved through lowly Christian professionals!

Praise the Lord, He still works through Spirit-led marketplace believers in much the same way. If our Father has called you to business as mission, be strongly encouraged and seek Him wholeheartedly.

Consider the example of Priscilla and Aquila, ground yourself in God's holy word as they did, and seek Him for how He might work through your business acumen to edify and evangelize! This could take the form of ministering and mentoring right where you are, or putting your skills to good ministry use overseas. Go for it, even as you remember our Savior's exhortation, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." (Luke 11:32)

For more info on business as mission, visit Business as Mission Network--the unquestioned hub of the Business as Mission movement.

Psst...Your Business is Your Ministry! - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

I have to confess that I might have misled you. I've been offering recommendations for ministry and business separately. But the reality is that whether or not you have a Pastor So-and-So nameplate on your door, if you're a true disciple of Jesus Christ, you're in full-time ministry. I know you've heard it before, but don't bail on this column yet. Let it sink in...

Think about the percentage of Christians that Jesus Christ actually gives as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. Now read Ephesians 4. Yes, pull out your Bible or visit www.biblegateway.com and read Ephesians 4 in the NASB, NIV, or ESV.

Not that God requires large numbers to accomplish anything--think Gideon's 300--but the ratio of spiritual leaders to other parts of the body of Christ is quite small, isn't it? This reality, rooted in clear biblical teaching, tells us something about the nature of the calling of spiritual leaders and all other members of the body of Christ.

Contrary to popular understanding, the job of pastors and other Christian leaders is not to be the professional Christian. In fact, according to Paul's Spirit-inspired letter to the church at Ephesus, apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers are given by Christ for "the equipping of the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." (Eph. 4:12-14)

The first-century apostles & prophets, and now evangelists and pastor-teachers, have been given by Christ to equip all other believers to accomplish many of the good works of the Spirit in this world, tasks which "God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10) If you're a true Christ-follower, the equipped saints include you, Ms. Company President, Mr. Marketing Exec, Mrs. Assistant, Mr. Store Manager, Ms. Postal Worker and Mr. Janitor.

Don't believe that God works through laypeople? Read the story of Priscilla, Aquilla, and Apollos in Acts 18:24-28. Terror of terrors, there the Spirit used lowly tentmakers to instruct Apollos, who God quickly made a great champion of the faith.

Are you a tentmaker? And I don't simply mean somebody who is both working a separate vocation and pastoring. Then you need to understand and accomplish your task, just as Priscilla and Aquilla grasped and fulfilled their God-given ministry.

Ask the Holy Spirit to utterly revolutionize the way you look at the ministry God has given you. Stop passing the buck to your pastor & Billy Graham. Instead pray like mad that God will work through His Word & prayer and biblically-sound spiritual leaders to equip you, "until we all attain to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

One more thing...I mentioned above that the entire body of Christ has been created in Christ Jesus to accomplish many of the good works of the Holy Spirit. Not included in these works is the actual bringing of someone to saving faith. That's the exclusive domain of the Holy Spirit, as Paul declared, "So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything. but God who causes the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:7) Leave the eternal results to God, even as you endeavor to build as a "wise master builder" according to the grace of God.

Welcome to the ministry...

BlueTooth Broadcasting Reality Check - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

You don't have to be a movie buff to remember them. They're in just about every futuristic movie: walk-by, holographic marketing pitches that are individually tailored and in your face. We're not there yet. But BlueTooth broadcasting (BTB) does offer some incredible, less obnoxious possibilities to reach folks already interested in what you're doing.

The reality check is this: just as we're not yet engulfed in holographic marketing, (I'm not sure if I ever want to get there), so BlueTooth, proximity-based marketing is not quite ready for primetime. Don't get me wrong, BTB already has some cool possibilities for business and ministry, but the audience in the States is largely limited to smart phone and PC-based BlueTooth users.

However, across the pond in Europe, BlueTooth, proximity marketing is hot. Football clubs (soccer teams to you MLS fans) and retailers alike are Bluetoothing coupons, fan club signups, exclusive contests, and more to interested patrons. Most of this is permission-based, i.e., folks get an alert that content is available and they have to opt-in to receive it. Though a recent UK Information Commissioner's Office ruling declared that BlueTooth is not covered by the same anti-spam regulations as other marketing communications.

In addition to their superior phone technology, the overarching European market dynamic that makes Bluetooth more accessible is that EU phone carriers themselves are no longer the problem. In the U.S., carriers still short-change their customers by trying to control the flow of information via fun tricks like programming your lower-end BlueTooth phone to block communications from more sophisticated BlueTooth-enabled devices such as other mobiles and PCs.

In spite of the currently limited market, BlueTooth marketing is getting off the ground in the U.S. and launching in the Middle East. Once U.S. phones catch up, BlueTooth broadcasting will become the next rage in mobile marketing. (Click here for a BTB intro).

Actually, the small audience gives ministries and businesses a tidy focus group with which to try out BTB before it goes wide--a blessing in disguise, if you will.

If you're interested in BlueTooth, two options present themselves: hire an outside company or find a turnkey solution. I recommend doing it yourself.

In fact, I recently spent about $400 for a long-range (600-900 feet) BlueTooth transmitter, extra-large antenna, high-output cable, and software. The software is intuitive and the transmitter (or dongle) is plug-and-play--perfect for non-techies like me. Again, though, I discovered the hard way that TMobile, Verizon, and friends have conspired to quash my market reach. Boo, hoo.

If you don't want to figure it out for yourself, many companies offer to BlueTooth broadcasting services. Though I can't personally recommend any, a quick Google search will yield a few possibilities. Warning: the bang for your buck is limited.

So what can you BlueTooth to smart phone users and PC users? Ministries and churches can BTB simple gospel intros, service times, locations, class info, volunteer signups, and more. Businesses can send coupons, slideshows of real estate listings, links to websites, etc. As you BTB, make sure to prominently advertise the availability of BlueTooth content through signs in your front window and announcement screens.

One last thing...The goal of BlueTooth broadcasting for you non-sheisters, should be to reach folks who are already or are potentially interested in you and your offerings. Keep it permission-based and useful. Do not just send out slow-loading, annoying schlock. Unhappy recipients will make their presence known--to you and their circle of influence.

Try out BlueTooth. Even with only smart phone and PC recipients, the d.i.t.y. approach is well worth the cash outlay and will allow you to hone your message before the wave hits. But please, no holographs...

Starbucks is Stupid: The Boiled Peanuts Sales Model - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media, and Strategy Blog

Seth Godin, a marketing guru with an actual working brain, recently shared a funny story about a hobby shop near his home. It could've been the coolest little model train retailer in the land. But the owners are quickly settling into general store mediocrity. According to their billboard, model train fans are also interested in coffee and lottery tickets.

My local version of the sell-everything, lost in the shuffle store, actually lists boiled peanuts as one of their staples. Did I miss the Jimmy Carter comeback tour? Has half of Georgia migrated south to the Tampa metro area? Nope. But just in case you get a hankering, rest assured that boiled peanuts are always available there. Pig's feet and hummus distributors are reported to be in talks with the store as we speak...

Over the last few years, Starbucks has fallen victim to this boiled peanuts sales model. Instead of focusing on their core offering--coffee--and building loyalty & customer affinity around the fruit of the bean, Starbucks has diluted their brand to the extreme.

SBUX now sells breakfast sandwiches which overpower that classic fresh ground coffee smell and clutters their stores with a literal boatload of overpriced CDs, DVDs, teddy bears, candy, bottled smoothies, and even picnic sets. Did I mention they also sell all the requisite coffee/hot drink crap--including coffee mugs, coffee pots, press pots big and small, travel mugs, tea sets, and tea bags?!?

Exit CEO Jim Donald. Enter Starbucks founder Howard Schultz.

Like every good former Starbucks drone, I know that back in the 1980s Schultz saw the coffee house revolution coming and bought out his Starbucks partners, who wanted to keep their stores a simple coffee and tea wholesaler. The rest is capitalist history...

Upon his return in January, Schultz confessed that Starbucks had strayed from its coffee core and promised a quick return thereto (and to the profitability that comes with it). That's easier said than done, but Schultz recently showed his java resolve by closing all North American Starbucks stores for three hours, for the sole purpose of indoctrinating, er, educating baristas about the wonders of the bean. I'll keep you posted on their progress...

In the meantime, think about your ministry or business and how to avoid the boiled peanuts model.

For ministries, your job is to bring glory to God and tell everyone about the good news of Jesus Christ. That is, that Jesus was God and that He lived, died, and rose again, just as He promised. And you're to encourage folks to walk with Him who is not just a mere good teacher or the ticket to your best life now. Jesus Christ is truly, to steal from the late great Francis Schaeffer, the God who is there. If you're not proclaiming as much, Scripture says you are missing the mark.

Likewise you business owners/execs should learn from Starbucks' mistakes and streamline your product mix. And cut ventures that detract or distract from your core competencies.

One last story...A friend of mine is an extremely successful architect in a major U.S. city. His main office is located in an uber-cool, turn-of-the-century brick building that once served as a train depot. In fact, box car tracks still run past the loading dock. Very cool, indeed.

One day I asked my friend if he owned the building. Though he certainly had the money to buy it, he said no. When I asked why he didn't own the building, my friend put it bluntly: he isn't in the real estate business.

So I ask you: what business are you in? Are you in the coffee business? Then why are you diluting your brand by making movies about spelling bee champions? Are you in the model train business? Then why are you advertising lotto tickets?

Think about why you're in business and hone your offerings accordingly. Scripture says a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. It's just as true for business as it is for ministry and walking with Christ.

Another Thing About Story Blogging - Ministry & Business Marketing and Strategy Blog

Yesterday I offered some quick tips on how to tell your ministry or Christian business story through blogs -- story blogging. To take it a step further, you can, in fact, dedicate an entire blog to just success stories or testimonials about your organization.

Case in point, check out the Crown Financial Ministries True Financial Freedom Stories blog. I volunteer with Crown here in Tampa, Florida and I built the site to showcase all that the Lord continues to do through Crown to help folks manage money and their whole lives, God's way. The blog features testimonials, audio from Crown's daily Money Matters show, and links to key Crown websites including giving opportunities.

How could you build a similar blog for your ministry or Christian business? Or how could you incorporate some of these elements in your existing website?

Don't just relay bland facts and figures (service times, location, etc.). Communicate the Holy Spirit's work through you as evidenced by changed lives. For you Christian business owners, convey your biblically-inspired honesty, hard work, and excellence as experienced by your many satisfied customers.

Happy Story Blogging...

Telling Your Story...through Blogging - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

By now most of you have heard about the wonders of blogging. Since you're reading this, you've obviously seen a blog and have some idea of what it's about. You may even read many blogs per day or week.

For those of you operating Christian ministries and Christian businesses, blogs can be a great way to tell your story and to steer what's said about you online. Notice I said "steer," not "control." Control of what's said about you online and your media, long ago went the way of Bill Clinton's virtue. So how exactly do you use blogs to tell your story and steer what's said about you, to the glory of God?

Here are some simple tips...

1) What are you passionate about? What gets you up in the morning/keeps you up at night? What has God led you to do about it? Blog about these things. Your vision and values drive your work and talking about them is a great way to communicate your niche in Christ's kingdom.

2) How do you accomplish your work? Do you teach English as a second language, provide food and shelter, or preach the gospel through media? Blog about it. Your philosophy of ministry -- both in your approach to the lost and those who know Christ, and the nuts and bolts of advancing Christ's kingdom (such as broadcasts and/or building projects) are part and parcel to your unique place in the Body of Christ. Tell others about it.

3) Facts and figures. Without going into gory detail, give folks an idea of the size of your ministry, your financial needs, your impact, etc. You'll usually want to weave facts and figures into an overall narrative which includes the things mentioned above and...

4) Action steps. What do you want people to do about it? You can mention your wish list in your blog posts and communicate the same through links to other important pages. You could also show an attractive ministry graphic or link to a page of testimonies from folks whom the Lord has blessed through your work, with an accompanying donation or prayer chain link.

Not coincidentally, these blogging essentials comprise what should be included in almost all of your ministry communications. Vision & values, philosophy, facts & figures, and action steps should be a part of nearly every letter, email, and promo video you send (with exceptions made for personal thank you notes and the like).

One last thing...I mentioned the value of blogging for steering what's said about you online. Telling your story through the above steps, by the work of the Holy Spirit, will help friends and potential partners see the value of the Lord's work through you and compel them to jump on board. On the flip side, telling your story through blogging will also dampen the impact of false or misleading information disseminated online by folks who don't have your best interests, much less the Lord's will, in mind. Assuming that your ministry is actually biblical, click here for more on defensive blogging.

Christian business owners should approach blogging in much the same way. Use online storytelling to interest folks in your business, set yourselves apart, and bring in new customers -- to the glory of God.

If you already write a blog, but you realize that it's in serious trouble -- either in appearance and content, check out this post on revamping your ministry website. Happy blogging...

Self-Service Trends and Your Ministry or Christian Business - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Ask yourself a simple question: how easy is it for folks to find basic organizational info--be it on your website, in print materials, or otherwise--without talking to somebody? If you're like most ministries and organizations, your information is locked up like the gold stored in Fort Knox.

Contrast most ministries' and businesses' info stinginess with a very interesting survey I stumbled upon today. Though the poll was commissioned by NCR--a company that sells self-service business tools, the results mirror other self-service adoption trends. The survey reports the following:

"More than three out of four (77 percent) of the 633 U.S. and Canadian consumers polled said they are more likely to do business with organizations that offer self-service, and 92 percent value combining mobile devices – like mobile phones or PDAs – with the Internet and self-service kiosks or ATMs to improve their overall service experience."

Of course, ministries usually want folks to talk to them, hence their reluctance to supply information without personal interaction. But contact should be voluntary and willing, not mandatory and annoying.

Though consumer trends should not influence our theology or even a good portion of our evangelism and discipleship, we should "make the most of every opportunity" by recognizing patterns of interaction and shift our ministry & Christian business strategy accordingly. In fact, making our ministries more self-service friendly is in keeping with the Spirit's word through the Paul to become "all things to all men."

Now think about your ministry website. Are service times or upcoming events listed prominently? If you have a podcast, is it linked near the top of your homepage? Is there an intro letter from your pastor/ministry leader and basic doctrinal statement? If not, add these soon.

On the Christian business side, put on your customer hat for a moment. Your website should be like a first date: getting to know each other and you putting your best foot forward. You shouldn't demand that potential clients go on a few more dates, i.e., talk to a pushy salesperson, before they hear what makes you unique, what others think about you, and the cost of basic services.

The survey cited above also revealed that most folks do like personal assistance when making more complex decisions, such as buying insurance or choosing a mortgage. This bodes well for ministries and Christian businesses that are friendly through their website and multimedia. Folks interested in deeper communication will usually seek it out. Be sure that you're genial from the start and Christ-like when the Spirit draws folks to speak with you.

One last thing...If your ministry is seeker-driven rather than seeker-friendly, you're not being biblical. In fact, "Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God," (I Cor. 1:22-24).

If you're preaching the truth that is in Jesus, you will offend most of your hearers. Indeed, sinners do not come to Christ out of their own goodness, their "getting it," or our salesmanship, but through the Spirit's drawing. Stop worrying about not being offensive and start limiting the offense to the Spirit-breathed Gospel itself.

We are to "become all things to all men" and to proclaim Christ boldly and as we ought to speak. This "ought to" includes making it easy for folks to get to know us and, Lord-willing, get to know our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Think about it. . .

More on Biblical Networking and Partnerships - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

As a follow-up to my recent posts on biblical ministry networking, I strongly encourage you to read Together for What? -- Pastor Mark Dever's great article on biblically-sound ministry partnerships. I pray that you Christian business owners will consider Dever's words with an additional eye to the sort of corporate cooperation to engage in or avoid.

Check out this excerpt...

"Compromise is bad. Cooperation is good. But how do you tell the difference? What are the primary doctrinal positions for which we need to contend, and what are the secondary doctrinal positions about which we can disagree with charity and love?

I’d like to consider how we can encourage each other to hold the truth with humility by setting out six questions:

1. Do we follow commands to purify or to unite?
2. What are some common fights Christians have?
3. What’s the specific purpose for cooperating?
4. What must Christians agree upon? (Essentials)
5. What may Christians disagree about? (Non-essentials)
6. How can Christians disagree well?"

Later today or tomorrow I'll post on telling your ministry or Christian business story through blogging, including re-purposing content buried in the nether world of your website. This week I'll also offer a primer on using Google Adwords to expand your reach. . .

Big Picture Time - The Church and Culture - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Today I ask you to step back and consider the big picture and the context within which you minister. Check out the excerpt below from today's blog post by Dr. Albert Mohler--host of a radio show heard in about 100 U.S. markets. Though his column deals specifically with American culture, Dr. Mohler's biblical insights should also help those of you ministering in other Western countries...

"The Church has constantly been perplexed concerning its proper relation to culture. H. Richard Niebuhr traced five different patterns of cultural response in his famous work, Christ and Culture. The book over-simplified the issues and now looks awkwardly optimistic, but some of the patterns Niebuhr described are still evident. The Church has at times withdrawn from culture and sought refuge in attempted cultural isolation. At other times and in other contexts the Church has simply abdicated to the culture, thus reflecting the culture rather than proclaiming the cross. A myriad of patterns and be traced between these two extremes. The fact is that the Church has often exhibited several patterns at once, capitulating to culture on the one hand and seeking isolation on the other.

In candor, we must admit that the Church has been displaced. Once an authoritative voice in the culture, the Church is often dismissed, and even more often ignored. At one time, the influence of the Church was sufficient to restrain cultural rebellion against God's moral commandments, but no longer. The dynamic of the culture-shift marches onward. On the Protestant left, leaders have simply capitulated to the revisionist ideologies and surrendered revealed morality. On the evangelical wing, however, the greater temptation is to affirm biblical morality in principle, and wink at infractions as matters of merely individual interest.

The displacement of the Church is characteristic of the process of secularization, which has now so thoroughly altered the landscape of American culture. Though sociologists point to continuing high levels of religious activity and statements of belief--both of these in sharp contrast to other western nations--the truth is that very little of this activity translates into authentic discipleship, active church membership, and bold Christian witness."

Read the rest of Dr. Mohler's excellent post here. It's well worth your time. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to understand your culture and preach the good news of Jesus Christ "with great patience and careful understanding."

Theology Bleeds - Getting Serious about the Great Commission - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Later today I'll deliver the second part of my series on biblical ministry partnerships. In the meantime, check out this incredible communique from Dr. Russell Moore--Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY USA. (FYI, I finally started seminary this semester with Dr. Moore's class on Systematic Theology.)

Dr. Moore wrote this email to students and faculty at Southern Seminary--people who, along with us, are supposed to be busy fulfilling Christ's Great Commission. As you read, pray about how the Spirit might work in you and through you to heed Dr. Moore's battle cry...

"I’m concerned about something, and I’d like to ask you to join me in prayer and action about it.

It seems to me that too many of our churches—and too many of us—think of the Great Commission as little more than Jesus’ way of promoting a Christmas offering or of marketing an evangelistic video series.

Too many theologians—even pastor-theologians—tend sometimes to ignore the Great Commission. After all, isn’t it a “practical” exhortation, better left to denominational bureaucrats and women’s missionary auxiliary leaders? At the same time, too many missionaries and evangelists tend to ignore theology. After all, what does abstract theorizing have to do with Jesus’ ultimate church-wide missions emphasis—the Great Commission?

As a result, we are left with theologians who lust more for recognition by the American Academy of Religion than for the global expansion of the gospel. And far too many missionaries, evangelists, and church planters see themselves as the ecclesial equivalent of the civil service—organizing initiatives and promoting programs.

The problem, whenever the Great Commission is taken for granted, is the eclipse of Jesus.

We in the School of Theology talk tirelessly about the Great Commission. Our students and faculty share the gospel, plant churches, and disciple new believers. But I wonder if we grasp the vision of the Great Commission we find in Scripture. When Jesus announced the commission to his disciples (Matt 28:16-20), he was not launching a global public relations campaign.

The Great Commission points to faith in Christ and the forgiveness of sins as the vehicle for cosmic restoration and the salvation of the world. Those reconciled to God through Christ are receiving more than personal freedom from guilt—they are becoming “sons of God” who share with Jesus in an inheritance that includes the entire created order (Ps 89; Rom 4:13, 8:15-17; Gal 3:27-4:7).

The Great Commission is a theology of cosmic warfare—a theology centering on the unveiling of the long-hidden mystery of Christ and his church. It means the overthrow of the ancient powers that have long held the creation captive through sin and death. It means the triumph of a resurrected Messiah over every principality and power hostile to the reign of the Creator. It means that God is keeping his promises to his anointed King.

It means war.

In the end, demonic powers don’t tremble before denominational programs or bureaucratic public relations campaigns. What they fear is something more ancient, more mysterious, and more personal. What they fear is not a program, but a person—with a name, an authority, and an inheritance. Since the church bears the Spirit of the Anointed One (1 Pet 4:14), the satanic powers lash out violently against it (John 15:25-16:11).

Their question to the missionary advance of the church is the same question they once voiced to the church’s King in his hometown synagogue: “Have you come to destroy us?” When the church is faithful to the commission of its Warrior-King, the answer is heard by an expectant creation even when it is not voiced—“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom 16:20). And that is what Jesus would call “good news.”

In the year 2008, I am challenging all of us in the School of Theology—faculty and students—to reinvigorate our place in this cosmic warfare by renewing our efforts at evangelism and missions.

Soon you will be receiving in the mail a card to help you join with me in prayer and action. I am asking all of you to commit to pray for the lost—specific lost people that you know. I am asking all of you to share the gospel with at least one lost person at least once a week. And I am asking us to do this not just as individuals but also as a community of scholar-preachers.

Take a look at the card. Pray about it. And enlist in this battle. Let me know of your commitment to renew your efforts at Great Commission warfare. Join with a small group of other students—a Great Commission Group—to hold one another accountable, and to pray with one another about sharing the gospel.

These Great Commission groups will not meet at a formal time assigned by me. You decide with the people you enlist to join with you when and how often to pray together and to talk together.

Go door-to-door witnessing together. Organize an evangelistic block party. The possibilities are endless. Let me know how it is going in your battalion, and let me know of ways we can be even more effective in equipping Great Commission warriors.

Additionally, check the School of Theology webpage, www.sbts.edu/theology, for local evangelistic opportunities for School of Theology students. There are spiritual skirmishes all over the streets right around us.

Above all, let your affections be broken for the lost. And let’s join with our God in pleading with sinners to be reconciled to God’s Kingdom through the shed blood and the empty tomb of Jesus. Let’s join in the unseen battle with our tears, our feet, our voices, and our hearts.

And remember, theology means a word about God. Scripture tells us that the definitive Logos about our Theos is not a systematic theology text or a Hebrew grammar, as important as these are. He is not a “what,” but a “Who.” He is our brother, and our Lord. He cries for sinners, loves them, warns them of the wrath to come, and promises them the ends of the universe if they turn to him.

Theology doesn’t just think. Theology walks. Theology weeps. Theology bleeds.

Check out Dr. Moore's blog and listen to Dr. Al Mohler's great daily radio show (on which Dr. Moore often guest hosts).

Fundraising Quick Tips: Organic Fundraising - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Today's post is the first in a here-and-there series about fundraising--a subject few want to talk about and many see as a mere necessary evil in ministry. As a former "development officer" and now part-time fundraising consultant (Jesus salesman, panhandler, beggar-for-hire...all names my friends have called yours truly), I will now deign to offer my insights into this most hated activity and how you can stop despising it and transform fundraising into an integral, maybe even organic, aspect of your ministry.

Fundraising should be an organic part of your ministry. Scripture teaches that giving is just one of many acts of devotion to Christ and should evidence/be accompanied by total Christian living, (1 Cor. 13:3, 1 John 3:17). Mirroring this integrated approach, you should weave opportunities for folks to financially partner with you throughout your ministry relationships.

No, this doesn't mean simply adding more "donate now" buttons to your website. (You do use online giving, don't you?)

Biblical, organic fundraising also requires you to call folks more than just once-a-year to "hit 'em up" for more ministry cash. You should actually live out your love for your ministry partners by praying for them, ministering to them, and if they own a business or provide a service, actually ask them how it's going and pray about folks you might send their way, (see Gal. 6:2, Phil. 2:4).

But how do we make fundraising a more organic part of our ministry? A few ideas...

1) Put a link on your homepage to a testimonials section featuring folks who've given to the ministry and seen God move through their efforts. This helps build community and establishes giving as a vital part of the ministry's continued health. If you have audio or video, that's even better than simple written testimonies. If you only have written stories, include a picture of the giver and/or the group ministered to through their gift.

2) Don't just talk about giving at the end of your newsletters and emails. No more "Oh, and by the way, we need money." Start your correspondence with, or at least include in almost every communication, a story of the Lord's work in an individual or group through your ministry and thank everyone who gave to help make it happen.

3) Implement strategic volunteering throughout your ministry. One great way that the Holy Spirit builds up the Body of Christ through the "proper working of each part," is through folks doing more than stuffing/licking envelopes until their fingers bleed and their taste buds fail. Use your partners'/members' skills, not just their load-bearing capabilities.

Do you know a CPA or CFP? Why not ask her to give an hour a week to help with the books or, even better, plan your ministry's investment strategies?

Do you know a plumber or electrician? Why not approach him to fill that critical need of a remodeled bathroom for your outreach center/church, and couch it in terms of the potential ministry impact of their labor?

Do you know a handful of successful business owners with a solid biblical foundation (and I mean biblical)? Why not recruit them to prayerfully help you plan the future of your ministry?

This strategic volunteering should be preceded by your commitment to/clear communication about your desire to best utilize the many fellow workers God has brought your way, beyond their ability to write big checks. Don't accept their buy-off; prayerfully seek their buy-in. Now that's organic!

Next time I blog about fundraising, I'll share four key aspects of nearly every successful ministry communication. Feedback?

Volunteering...It's Not Just Stuffing Envelopes Anymore - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

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On to volunteering...

If your ministry is anything like most of the organizations I help, you need more volunteers. In fact, you'd love to have a few extra pairs of hands around, even if it's just for an hour a week.

But what is your volunteering strategy? How do you use volunteers? I bet if you stop to think about it, you could use more than just an army of envelope stuffers?

Whether you realize it or not, there's a new wave in volunteering, mirroring the recent seismic shifts in giving and ministry involvement. For those of you unaware, many donors are no longer content to simply write a check and pray for you. They want to be hands-on with the ministries they're passionate about and financially supporting...a very good change indeed.

And now even volunteers are looking to do more than help with the latest mailing or play part-time janitor. They want to volunteer strategically. That is, they want to give skilled time to your cause e.g., web design, plumbing, financial consulting, strategic planning, and more.

In response, ministry leaders need to prayerfully consider ways to use skilled labor to further the work God's called them to. Remember Paul's wonderful Spirit-led exhortation: "...we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the Head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, cause the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love," (Eph. 4:15a-16). Paul wrote other great stuff on the Spirit-led workings of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:11-27 and elsewhere.

Reality check: if ministries would put to Kingdom use the skilled labor of the people whom God has partnered with them, literally billions of dollars could be saved! You need to stop looking for people simply willing to do your grunt work and start praying and thinking about what your key needs are and who you know that might be able to fulfill them. (If you don't currently know somebody who can fill your needs, pray that God will gather those strategic volunteers to you.)

As you consider your needs and prayerfully recruit folks to meet them, be sure to design opportunities that are manageable for folks who presumably are seeking Christ wholeheartedly and therefore already time-committed to their personal walk with Him, their family, and their church. Practically-speaking, you should aim for skilled laborers to help you an hour a week. If they want to give more time than that, great! But don't lean on them until they break (or snap!).

Shameless plug alert! MinistryHour.com is a new free service that connects biblical ministries with Christian professionals willing to offer skilled service, starting with an hour a week (a ministry hour). Just fill out their simple form, which remains confidential, and MinistryHour will do its best to connect you either with a like-minded ministry with a need you can fill, or with a Christian professional willing to serve.

Churches and parachurch ministries must completely revolutionize their volunteering scheme and make it just as much a part of their strategy as prayer, leadership choices, and more. Volunteering...it's not just stuffing envelopes anymore.

Defensive Blogging: Protecting Your Ministry in the Blogosphere - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

By now, your web guy has sent you a thousand emails praising blogging as a means of getting the word out on your ministry or business. Sure enough blogs are a great way to keep friends posted on your efforts, bring on new folks, and reach more people for Christ than you can through your website alone. But have you ever considered blogging in light of what's being said about you outside the cozy confines of your church, business, etc.?

Introducing defensive blogging.

Case in point, today I searched Google for blogs from a ministry almost all of you have heard of, which will remain unnamed to protect the techno-challenged. The result of my search: no weblogs from the ministry in question and a slew of well-ranked posts from a blog actually bashing the very ministry I was searching for. Your takeaway: somebody's going to be talking about you; make sure that you're at least a part of the conversation.

For those ministries intent on shrewd, biblical outreach, blogs, as with websites before them, are no longer optional. In fact, if you have already or plan to soon achieve any sort of profile, things will be said about you online. And the blogosphere, thanks to Google rankings and more, has a way of spreading the word about you--for better or for worse.

The good news is that offering your own online voice will at least give you a seat at the table and will go a long way toward diffusing unjust criticism and attack. (Notice I said unjust; the rest of you see James 4:7.)

So what's it going to be? Will you use defensive blogging to protect and further the work God's called you to? Or will you skip the blogosphere and allow Satan and even some well-meaning but misguided brothers and sisters in Christ to use their online voices to tear down God's work through you and yours?

Defensive blogging. It's not just for Steve Jobs anymore...