Is Church Marketing Biblical?

Unpacking the Truth Behind Spreading the Good News

In today's rapidly changing world, churches face the challenge of staying relevant and reaching out to their communities. This often leads to questions about the role of marketing in the context of church outreach. Is church marketing biblical? Does it align with the principles laid out in the Bible? Let's dive into this topic and uncover the truth behind spreading the Good News through marketing efforts.

Understanding Church Marketing

First things first, let's clarify what we mean by "church marketing”. In simple terms, it's the strategic promotion and communication of a church's message, events, and values to engage with existing members and reach out to potential new ones. This can encompass a wide range of activities, from social media campaigns and community events to traditional advertising and outreach programs.

The Biblical Perspective

Now, you might be wondering, does the Bible have anything to say about marketing? While it might not explicitly mention Instagram ads or flyer distribution, the underlying principles of spreading the Gospel and engaging with communities are deeply rooted in biblical teachings.

1. The Great Commission

In Matthew 28:19-20, often referred to as the Great Commission, Jesus instructs his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations." This commandment is essentially a call to spread the Good News far and wide, reaching out to people from all walks of life. In today's context, effective communication and outreach strategies are essential tools for fulfilling this commission. I want you to take a moment and think about the “go” part of the Great Commission. The Church has approached this in different ways throughout history. The Church has launched crusade wars (please don’t), used megaphones on the sidewalk “to invite people to know Jesus” (we can do better), and created extravagant productions designed to welcome people into our churches. But what does “go” look like now?

2. Searching for Lost Sheep

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a story of a shepherd leaving behind ninety-nine sheep to search for the one lost sheep. When he finds it, he joyfully brings it home, celebrating its return.

This parable serves as a reminder of God's relentless pursuit of those who are lost. It highlights the importance of actively seeking out individuals who may have strayed from the fold and extending compassion and grace to them. Just as the shepherd in the parable searched for the lost sheep, churches are called to actively engage with their communities and reach out to those who may feel spiritually adrift.

3. Meet People Where They Are

According to this report published in October of 2023, people spend roughly 2 1/2 hours on social media every day. If you’re reading this article, there’s a decent chance you’re past the argument of whether churches should be using social media. But how should we utilize these platforms to reach people who have not yet visited our churches is another matter.

4. Who Are You Speaking To?

I want you to go and look at the last 10 posts your church has made on social media. Inspect the posts. Ask yourself who were these posts created for? Who are these posts speaking to?

If you’re like most churches, many if not all of your social media posts are actually created for the people who already attend your church. You might be promoting internal events inside your church, educating people about small group sign-ups, upcoming mission trips, or the start of a new sermon series. None of those things are bad and that information does need to get out to your congregation, but that strategy is not specifically targeting or speaking to people who don’t yet go to your church. Prospective first-time visitors are looking for different information and they’re looking for that info on your social media accounts.

5. Our Strategy to “Go”

We have to be strategic about how we “Go and make Disciples”. Our communication and marketing plans have to include strategies that reach people who have not yet stepped foot inside our church buildings. Now, I won’t say that social media is the only way to accomplish this task, but I will say that it’s one of the best bang-for-your-buck ways to get in front of people in your local community who are looking for a church home. If you’d like to learn more about how to use social media to grow your church one-visitor-at-a-time, subscribe to my newsletter below. I’ll send you content just like this every week. Let’s make heaven crowded.

So, Is Church Marketing Biblical?

Absolutely! While the term "marketing" may not appear in the Bible, the underlying principles of spreading the Gospel, engaging with communities, and making disciples are deeply rooted in biblical teachings. Just as Jesus used various methods to connect with people and share the Good News, churches today can leverage marketing strategies to reach out to their communities and fulfill the Great Commission.

Ultimately, church marketing is not about selling a product or promoting an agenda—it's about sharing the transformative power of God's love and inviting others to experience it for themselves. As long as these efforts are grounded in authenticity, integrity, and a genuine desire to connect with others, they are not only biblical but essential for fulfilling the mission of spreading the Good News to all corners across the globe.

My Name is John Mann. I started Axio Social to help churches utilize social media to grow their congregations 1 visitor at a time.