I am writing this on a Friday night sitting at a window table at the Mudhouse and people watching. Singles, groups, couples, all walking past enjoying the cool August evening. The large percentage of people are laughing and smiling. While I have not conducted a survey, I would profer a guess that the majority of these Friday night revelers do not know Christ as their personal savior.
As I pondered this thought, I began to wonder why would any of these people make any life changes. They have friends, money in their pockets, and an air conditioned place to sleep. Phones are being checked, Pokemons being hunted, and tasty coffee drinks being ordered.
Do they feel the need for Christ? Is there that Christ-shaped hole in their heart? Perhaps life is just good enough they have fooled themselves into a sense of self-sufficiency. If that is the case, then perhaps our age-old approach to evangelism needs to be updated.
People purchase products for one of two reasons. First, they make a purchase to fulfill a need. Food, medicine, housing, etc. When people recognize a need, they will search for a product to fill that need.
Second, through clever marketing, a desire for the product has been created. In their song, "Can't Get No Satisfaction" their Rolling Stones sing, "When I'm watchin' my TV, and that man come on to tell me how white my shirts can be but he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me." Madison Avenue creating a desire. Manufacturing the "need".
There are several strategies for creating a need or desire for a product. Not all would apply to the church, but perhaps we could learn from advertising execs.
1. Pay attention to market research. How can the church meet society's needs if we don't know those needs? Fear- present peace. Loneliness- present fellowship. Emptiness- present fulfillment. We must stay true to the Gospel, but Christ is big enough to fill all our needs. Why not tailor the Message to need those needs?
2. Feature stellar reviews. Let the unchurched know how a relationship with Christ has changed our lives. Don't be afraid to share personal struggles and how God is able to get us through those times.
3. De-average the customer. Perhaps in days of yore, a one-size fits all Christianity was all that was needed. But today people are mired in so many additions, life struggles, and self-delusions that we need to help them see how Christ can meet their individual needs.
The motto of a large Missouri school system is "Engaging. Relevant. Personal." Are we working to make the Gospel message Engaging, Relevant, and Personal?
http://www.fastcompany.com/1777201/six-secrets-demand-creation
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230981
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