Becoming a Why Not Church

Local Church congregations must become vigilant in recognizing cultural and sociological trends. Church leaders need to develop and maintain critical public relations skills necessary to diplomatically navigate the lost world. Our 24/7 world of continual communication and conversation greatly effects expectations and strategies. Old-fashioned, one-size-fits-all church may no longer work in area’s once dominated by traditional methods of soul-winning. Our society has been greatly influenced by global cultural and economic factors that have forced us to change rapidly.

Clearly, the message of the Gospel must remain unchanged. However, reaching the facebook, twitter crowd requires a more unique approach. People are not the same today as they were 15, 10, even 5 years ago. Brand loyalty is a marketing concept major company’s held onto in the previous generation. That loyalty no longer exists. The days of buying a particular brand because you have always bought that brand are gone. The typical customer may believe they can get a better deal with the company down the street. If so, they may disregard any loyalty to their current company and take the better deal. Customers are in search of value. A company’s brand name is important. It can lead to new customers and help retain current customers. However, a company’s name only can no longer hold market share in today’s world.

What does this have to do with church? Church members are people – the same people who make decisions about which products to buy. Church growth seems to be occurring only when church members move from church to church looking for that better deal. Successful church leaders are the ones who understood current cultural trends as they relate to soul-winning. Not staying abreast of current trends leads to communication gaps with your communities that are difficult to close. Successful churches cannot rely on business as usual thinking. Leaders must become more sophisticated and learn to demonstrate real, tangible and credible evidence they are willing to enhance their ability to serve by exceeding expectations.

As church leaders, we must be willing to re-focus our mindset and re-tool our behavior. Behavior is influenced by attitude. The difference between a positive attitude and a negative attitude is one word – NOT. Churches with negative attitudes constantly ask Why. Why should I work with the community? Why should I go the extra mile in regard to helping the needy? Why should I witness? Why do I have to invite the lost to church? Why, Why, Why? Successful church leaders with positive attitudes constantly ask themselves Why Not?

Churches need to introduce some creativity into their ministry approach. However, creativity must be relevant. Creativity for the sake of creativity is exhausting and unfruitful. Relevant creative soul-winning that commands attention and creates positive results is what the Church is about. The exact path we take to achieve this varies from person to person and community to community. Our mission is to creatively communicate Christ’s message through responsible evangelism, by all possible means.

Have you heard that thinking outside of the box is what is needed for innovation and creativity? Successful church leaders must realize this way of thinking is flawed. Forget thinking outside of the box. There is no box! Embracing this should awake church leaders to explore their creativity. The following is a list of ideas for Relevant Creative Soul-Winning. Let your imagination take over while reading:

1. Do the unexpected and imaginative.

2. You must understand that breakthrough ideas may seem radical at first.

3. Creativity doesn’t mean new. It may be a new viewpoint on an old idea.

4. Soul-winning is not a monologue, it is a dialogue.

5. It’s okay to be off the wall, as long as it is within your strategy.

6. The truth is the most powerful tool.

7. Fear is the enemy of great soul-winning.

8. Surprise works.

9. Do what gets talked about.

10. Successful churches zig when others zag.

11. Dare to be different.

12. Be remembered.

13. Always keep score.

Think about these statements as they relate to becoming a successful church with a positive attitude. Continually ask yourself – Why Not?