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The 13th Mistake. I've had this idea for a Mindstorm
article brewing inside me for some time as an addendum to The 12 Mistakes
of Christmas Outreach. It's far from complete, but since it may provide
some key direction for Christmas. I thought I'd at least start the conversation.
Following that are some specific strategy
ideas
I'd like to recommend this year. --
Michael
The 13th
Mistake:
Giving With Strings
Attached.
I shudder even
as I write this title, for who among us is immune to this mistake,
certainly not me. But the idea is so fundamental to the idea of successful
withreach it's important to at least begin the conversation.
The problem (and certainly not
the only problem) is that the unchurched expect church marketing to have
strings and this generation is quite adept at spotting them.
Church-centric outreach shows up in the strangest places, like in
"kindness" evangelism. They may not say it, but can't you just hear them
think, "If all you want to do is give me a cup of water, why is your logo
on the water bottle?"
Christmas is a good
time to think about incarnational withreach. Paul describes the
incarnational mindset (Phil. 2) that was first in Christ. He said, "Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition." He also says, "Let each of us
look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others." But I don't think we have to put the first part of this on our
to-do list to remember it. Looking out for our own interests is kind of our default mode, and it's sad, but again it
is what the unchurched expect a church to do.
But, what if you did the
unexpected? Isn't that an essential part of being remarkable? And being
remarkable makes you 'remark-able.' It gives people something to talk
about, which is the basis of the idea of viral marketing. But there we go
again, looking out for our own interests.
But I do have this
sneaking suspicion that if a church could shift their focus at least to a
60/40 emphasis on incarnational withreach, and as much as it is within in
them, make what is within people (their God-given dreams) the sole object
of their reaching, that would be truly remarkable...and so remarkable it
could  become the talk of the town, maybe even more than a 100-foot
living, singing Christmas tree. But now I've 'gone to meddlin.'
from the Masterpiece
campaign-
Strategy Ideas.
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 Connect Deeply. Since it's hardly
remarkable to send a splashy, traditional Christmas message, appeal
directly to some of the strongest, emotional needs parents (and anyone for
that matter) have...the things that matter most...the God-given dreams
that drive every human heart.
Break Through
Stereotypes.
 In order to cut through the image perceptions that many unchurched
people (especially those under 30) have of the church, it can be effective
to send an arresting message that stops someone long enough to think and
want to look deeper. It can establish a widespread, memorable
identity and when they're ready, they will remember the church who sent
that powerful message.
Alone At
Christmas.
You don't have to be homeless to
feel alone and Christmas can be the most painful time of the year.
All the emotions and hurts of the past seem to surface causing many
to be more open during this time than at any other time of the year.
College students away from home, troubled families, recently
unemployed (hard to believe, but people do get laid off in
December), the homeless or those with a temporary food need, and
those displaced by recent storm damage make the number higher than
you might realize.
Consider
ways your can reach into these needs and connect with practical help
and most of all, supporting friendships. And remember, people don't
forget their dreams just because they're
broken. |
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20/30-Something Dreams
Since
young adults are especially open and seeking regarding the pursuit
of life dreams you can connect strongly with this need while you
image your church as a community of dreams...a launching pad for
purpose.
As
you target different audiences don't worry about aiming too narrow.
This focus has a strong appeal for parents and grandparents, and
anyone who has special young adults in their life...and it's a
bridge to get them thinking about their own dreams as
well.
Christmas is a good time to make this connection (think
college students, single moms, etc.), with an openness for community
combined with a need for direction as one looks to the new year
ahead. |
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Super Bowl
Party
A Study of The Power
of Life Passion
What if you combined a pregame informal conversation about
why we love football and sports in general (pre-pregame, of course)?
What does this love possibly tell us about the way we are wired with
passion, and as John Eldredge says (in Wild At Heart), "a battle to
fight and an adventure to experience."
If
you'd like to begin now to develop this January strategy with us,
drop me an email.
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Partner with us to reach your
city...
Community of Dreams
Licensed City Partnership
In the first part of 2006
we will be adding new City Partners in many U.S. cities. If you
would like to partner with us in the city plan for your area,
contact us by email, tell us a little about yourself, your church,
your outreach objectives, along with some of your heart and vision
for your great community.
And, don't hold back.
This is the time to dream--and dream big--as big as the heart of God
for your city. And we'll dream with you.
Identity Package-- |
Image Continuity
Package--
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Guides and Tools----
Strategyuides and Tools-  -
Holistic
Plans------
 --
Community Intelligence-
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-Mindstorm Net &
Retreats
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12 Mistakes Of Christmas
Outreach
If you missed this Mindstorm whitepaper download it free or read it
online. |
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Christmas Deadline
Community Saturation Campaigns
 Chrismas week mailing
Order by Nov 23
for more
information
Contacts
Maybe you'd like to
discuss your own unique challenge or you have a germ of an idea you'd like
to brainstorm with a cityreaching coach. Feel free to call or email us
anytime.
C. Michael Johnson mike@breakthroughchurch.com
General questions: missdonna@breakthroughchurch.com
Media site: Breakthroughchurch.com
Partner site: Withreach.com
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