ChurchMarketing 101

I read something today in ChurchMarketing 101 by Richard Reising that I'd like to share. Here is what he writes:

". . .You can learn a lot about how well your church is connecting with your community by how many visitors return. . . Unreturning visitors in commerce and in church are a sign that there is a disconnection somewhere. There are a million reasons they might not return but only one reason they do -- value. And the more applicable and life-changing the service is to them, the more valuable they will find it. The higher the value, the more likely they will return. . . Ultimately, value is a combination of consistency, relevance, and power. Notice I include power. I believe we should be simple enough to be understood yet powerful enough to change lives. Provide services on visitor's level and do it consistently, and they will return and return with friends. . ."

This really hit home with me. I've thought about the times that I've gone to an event or service that was life-changing and I wanted to go back again and tell everyone I knew about what happened during the event or service and how it changed me. This creates a "buzz." If a service isn't life-changing then there is no buzz. Wow! Great thoughts for those of us in marketing. Marketing a church goes way beyond the graphics and publications...perceived value.