Marketing Plan

A white envelope, hand written, addressed in pink ink, a pink daisy on the return address, and a basket of purple flowers on the stamp. This is a description of the envelope I sent out recently with a ministry letter to directors of Women’s ministries in various churches. If you receive this bright and – hopefully inviting – envelope- my hope is that you will notice it and wonder what’s in it.

It feels a little silly when I see a whole stack of them ready to be mailed but I’ve been advised that I need to catch someone’s attention. Arrival of an uninteresting-looking letter is likely to be  dead-on-arrival and will quickly find a trashcan grave. It won’t be opened, no less read.

This advice may also pertain to the Christian. As you listen to testimonies of how people came to a certain church or how they were drawn to the Lord in faith, it’s rarely because they were sitting at home alone and the Truth just dawned on them. Almost always another Christian has invited them to join them or explained the Truth to them.

Jesus said that we are to be the light of the world. “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15.

This light that we have to shine on the world has been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is bright, having a greater power source than anything we can possibly imagine. Yet, it seems that we have deliberately attempted (and succeeded) to hide it rather than have it out where others can clearly see it.

When my envelopes arrive they represent me, my ministry and the Lord Jesus whom I serve. When you and I and other Christians interact with the world we represent ourselves, our families, our churches, and our God. For some this may also include a ministry or profession that we’re also representing. Like my envelopes, we can cause others to want to hear what we have to say or we can be dismissed based on an initial impression.

If I present a positive, even joyful, first impressions I am far more likely to get someone to listen to me. If I present an unhappy, angry, or critical impression people shy – or run – away.

The Christian who is discontented with her circumstances and willing to tell anyone who will listen is likely to turn people off. The Christian who can be positively focused, even when circumstances are not easy, expresses confidence in God’s providence and His ability to be the ever present help He promises to be. (Psalm 46:1) People will be more attracted to a Christian and her God when she is content because of God – not because things are going great in her life.

All of this lead me to think about our individual churches. When we are around others in the world, is our faith so bright, our contentment so obvious, and our satisfaction in the Lord so strong that others want to know what our churches and our God teach? As I want people to open my envelopes do you and I represent our churches in such a way that others want to open their doors and come in to hear the message?

The Christian who is constantly complaining about the Pastor, elders, or financial situations in the church may be causing others to discard the church altogether. The Bible says that if we have something against someone we are to go to them. It doesn’t exclude church leaders from that command.

Too often we tell several (or many) people when we are unhappy with someone else. In His wisdom God says go to that person directly and get it worked out. If you do and they hear you, the battle is over. Most people in the church are unwilling to do this but very willing to complain to others. When we let these complaints fester or we complain to others, we are driving them away not drawing them toward the Light.

So, food for thought: check what message our envelopes are sending. If you and I were to arrive in the mail would others be attracted and want to hear the message? Or, would they get one glimpse of the exterior and throw us out as quickly as they could without ever hearing the message?