Comparing a Church Model to a Business Model

Over the past couple of years I have heard that so many churches are closing their doors or losing members.  Why?  I believe it is due to churches hanging onto a church model that was successful in the 1950's and 60's but time has passed them by.  The approach was via rules and regulations along with fear of where are you going to spend you eternity and the thumb of the church pressing down on you with the passionate sermon ending.  At least it was that way where I grew up.

Everything was regulated by time and requirements of being a Christian.  The people with society is that from that time until today things have changed.  Business models that were a part of the same period had a similar approach.  You could get yelled at, cussed out, demeaned, and your measurement of success was in the drive of upper management to get numbers. And it was business as usual.

Today I think the church needs to look at current business models and understand that they need to update their approach to meet the needs of people.  Religion is on its way out and relationships are the drivers for people.  People are tired of sitting in a church and just seeing the requirements of religion and being yelled at from the front.

A comparison of how I feel church models and business model should be similar is:
The church Board and vision caster is like the board and CEO of a business
The pastor is the sales person for the company in that they are selling the Gospel and relationship for eternal life which does not include talking down to or yelling at your customer.

Let me stay on this for a minute.  When you buy a product at a store and a salesperson helps you.  What do they do that convinces you to buy?  Value and cost?  They use common words, illustrate how this will be perfect for you and excite you to desire the product.    The same is for the pastor speaking on Sunday.   I see wonderful people teaching accurately the word of God but do not use the principles of selling.  If you really look at the mega churches where campuses are springing up weekly then you will see a sales person in a pastor who selling the product of Jesus Christ.

OK, so I have turned several people off with the above comment but stop and think about it.  Listen to a message on line from so many of these nationally known churches. Whether it is in the message, tithing, small groups, special events, or any part of the church functions, those who grow use the business principles of marketing and sales to drive people to a relationship with the Lord.

Can your church take a model from business to reach those in your community?  Think about the reason why you should do this. . ."Making it hard to go to hell from your community."

It is not in taking attendance and counting the offering.