People are saying “Enough already!” to today’s branding of Christ

In today’s world of marketing and public relations, more and more companies are relying on consumers to get the word out about a particular brand or company.  When people have needs met and feel good about a product, they become passionate in sharing their discoveries with other people.  In essence, they become very effective sales people.

I’m wondering how this marketing phenomenon translates into today’s Christian church.

One author gave a noteworthy attempt.  Tim Sinclair tackled this subject with a book he published over the summer entitled “Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture”.

Sinclair referred to witnessing Christ as painting a portrait of Jesus.  Big, broad strokes turns people off in today’s culture.  Whether outdoor signs in front of churches with cute and catchy phrases, or bumper stickers on our car with Christian symbols, phrases or slogans, people are becoming more turned off than interested in these mass appeals.  They mean well, but probably end up doing more harm than good.  In its place, non-Christians will notice and be far more receptive to a thin brush which carefully outlines the details of what Jesus is really all about.  This method does take time and effort, because it involves the pain-staking and scary proposition of forming relationships.

In this spiritually competitive environment, Christians are even more challenged to present the benefits of Christianity.  We need to be prepared to answer the question, “Why is Jesus Christ not only relevant, but also necessary?”  People are looking for passionate consumers and we live in an age right now where the brand of Jesus Christ is fading because too many Christians have lost their passion.

Evangelism (referred also as branding) means re-energizing our base and rebuilding our personal outreach strategies from the ground up.  People are fed up with religion and are looking for real, honest, sincere people who have a living and active faith.  They are looking for answers, not tired clichés that have little value to them.  An increasingly secular world perceives evangelical Christians as weak-minded people who need a crutch, are going through a fad, or seem to treat Jesus as an imaginary friend.  Who would be interested in that?

I truly believe that even though by outward appearance of total disinterest, I believe people are looking and searching for meaning in this increasingly fast-paced world.  They are looking for answers, but not sure who to trust to provide them with truth.  Instead of mass-marketing appeals, they are open to honest, sincere people who are open to being real and share how their faith is based on God’s promises.  And they are not afraid to share their struggles, disappointments and pain.

If you want to be challenged, then I would highly recommend this short, thought-provoking book as a wise investment of your time.  At the very least, it enters you into a good conversation with yourself and with others.  You can find his website below.

http://www.tim-sinclair.com

 

Defining a man behind the Mormon Moment

In the backdrop of our nation’s capital, Mitt Romney solemnly takes the oath of office to be the next president of the United States.  With great passion and fortitude, he swears to defend our constitution — the bedrock of democracy.  This picture makes a third of Mormons quite uneasy according to a recent poll released last week by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.  And perhaps they should be.

While Mitt Romney takes the early lead in the selection process of who will become the Republican nominee on the ballot this fall for president, questions are swirling on trying to define a man that is well-known in politics, but not well-known in his beliefs.  Religion can define a man for it can sway his thinking, provide a foundation for his world-view, and cement his character.  Though a U.S. President is considered an executive and overseer of our nation, he is also in some ways a spiritual leader.  He is looked upon as the one who embarks hope, instills peace, and registers confidence during times of uncertainty or a national crisis.  The name of God is invoked regularly into his speeches while encouraging fellow citizens to remember our nation in their prayers.

If Romney becomes the next U.S. president, I’m confident that he will continue to invoke and lead prayers in the name of God, but it’s a god that I’m unfamiliar with.

Mormonism can be considered a cult in the true definition of the word, but living out west in an area where 25% of the population is Mormon and a large LDS temple sits prominently by the freeway, I consider the Mormon religion more of a cult-ure.  It’s a lifestyle.  It’s more of a society where its members are encouraged regularly to remain loyal to their religion, to endure to the end, to choose the right, to remember their hard-working pioneer ancestry, and that each person has the divine potential to eternally progress and be like Heavenly Father.  As far as the specifics are concerned on what Mormons believe, they remain incongruous, defensive and in Mitt Romney’s case, evasive.  The reason for this is that Mormon faith is largely  based on feelings, not so much on doctrine.  Every Sunday, Mormons gather together and offer their testimonies that basically state that the restored latter-days church is the true church, that Joseph Smith is a true prophet, and they have the right gospel.  Their testimony is their strength that comes from “whisperings” of the holy ghost.

Mormons are also regularly told that anybody that tells them that the teachings of Mormonism is wrong are considered agents of Satan, labeled as anti-Mormon, and to be avoided at all costs.

If religious truth is based primarily on feelings over doctrine, and anything negative about the Mormon faith be considered from the devil, then a cornered Mormon can’t help but be evasive, feeling persecuted or misunderstood.  It’s all part of their culture.

I can appreciate the frustration that many in the press have over the religious beliefs of Mitt Romney and his lack of definition and answers.  It’s the same frustration that I feel when attempting to share truths of the Bible with my Mormon friends.  By understanding their culture, I understand the person.  And I think the same thing could be said about Mitt Romney.

Contentment personified in a popular head football coach

In an age of confusion when contentment is being re-examined between material comfort and personal fulfillment, its comforting to watch and observe how one national figure has already personally defined contentment — and doesn’t give a rip what anybody else thinks.

The afterglow of the national championship football game last night, where fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide are basking in glory right now over the conquering of the mighty LSU Tigers, one head football coach is quietly building a major college football program in the most unlikeliest of setting — Boise, Idaho.

While many point to his attention to details, offensive or defensive schemes, or finding the right players to fit his system, I believe the secret to the success of Coach Chris Peterson of the Boise State Broncos lies in one key word — contentment.  At the end of every season so far, major college football programs come offering the prospects of a better job, a bigger budget and greater exposure.  But Coach Peterson knows a good thing when he sees it.  From UCLA to Arizona, from Stanford and most recently Penn State, Coach Peterson believes in making the big time where he is at.  By choosing not to climb the corporate ladder of coaching success, as defined by the media and the culture of intercollegiate sports, Coach Peters stubbornly stays put, refusing to be re-defined as what is deemed as a truly worthy pursuit of being successful.

A former Boise State football player, now an assistant football coach at Stanford, recently made a comment about how Coach Peterson has been both an example and a mentor for him.  He said, “When I was a young coach trying to work my way up the ladder, he was probably getting annoyed with my calls and texts.  He’s always offered me really quality advice.  The thing about him, he’s personified it — be happy, be content in the job you’re in.  He’s really taught me that.  Don’t look for the next job.  I had to , to a certain degree, to provide for my family.  Now that I’m in a place with some stability, I can apply that lesson that Coach Pete has lived and taught me over the years.”   (Mike Sanford)

The lesson for us is to not let other people, or other influence, define contentment.  Too often, it’s one of those visible, yet unattainable treasures that lies just out of reach.  From the fountain of youth to a winning Powerball ticket; from the corner office with a window to the brand new sports car, the pursuit to obtain is relentless and the glory if fleeting.

True contentment is typically defined not by what we are surrounded with, but by whom.  Being around those we love and who love us.  But even the love of family is fleeting.  There comes a day when everyone will take their last breath, the heart will takes its last beat, and we are confronted with a destiny that had remained shrouded for most while experiencing life on earth.  For this reason, contentment must be defined with an eternal perspective.

I am content because my citizenship is heaven is secured.  Not that I’m perfect, or the number of rights outnumber my wrongs, but my assurance of an amazing eternal destination is all made possible by what Christ has already done for me.  By him, I’m perfect.  Through him, I’m acceptable.  On him, my contentment is complete.