Some of the worst marketing techniques that I have ever seen have come from a church. I am thankful that Jesus did not leave the growth of His church to the marketing techniques of pastors because if He did the church would have already died away. Jesus knowing the marketing strategies of His servants simply said, “If you lift me up then I will draw all men unto you.”
See Jesus understood the message that I am trying to relay. 
The Worlds Worst Billboard
I was driving on 285 in Atlanta the other day and noticed 2 billboards of 2 different pastors that had their faces plastered on the billboard, and the church name. That was it! Those billboards cost $7,000 per month, plus set up cost and all they have is their picture and the church name. What if I actually wanted to visit the church? I have no idea if the church is located in Atlanta or in Ohio? Secondly if I were captivated by their inspirational message (please note the sarcasm) then I would have to remember the church name, until I got home, then Google it so I could then search for the number to call. I can guarantee that they are not experiencing much traffic off of that investment.
If you as a pastor put your picture on the billboard you are only going to attract that race. Unfortunately, when individuals see a black pastor they assume a black church and when they see a white pastor they assume a white church. If you want a multicultural church which is what many pastors declare then you have got to put forth a multicultural image. People want to be where they fit in. If white churchgoer assumes that your church is a black church then he or she is going to move on so until they find a white church. This happens on a subconscious level without them even thinking about it.
Who Are You Making Famous?
Who do you want to make famous? You or Christ? If you make Christ famous (after all that is who are you marketing) then if you ever need to take a vacation, you can. Or if you ever have to call in a guest minister, you can. However, when you only market yourself to make your name great, then the people are going to expect that only you can answer their questions and address their needs.
Why am I passionate about how the church markets their business? Because people work all week, sacrifice to pay tithes, and wasted money on marketing means less spent on the widows, orphans and homeless.
I understand that church is a business and I feel like any good business you have to advertise to get the name out however, I feel like donation money should be the best managed money in the entire world. So excuse me when I say that marketing techniques like this really piss me off.
(The image above is blurry but was the only one I could find to get my point across.)
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AMEN!