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Best Church “Brands”
Orginally published on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 8:07 AM
by Todd Rhoades
One Story Media has an interesting post going on: "I am sort of curious to know who you think the biggest, most recognized, or “baddest” churches are - and what do you think of when you hear their name... Here's what they've come up with so far...
I am sort of curious to know who you think the biggest, most recognized, or “baddest” churches are - and what do you think of when you hear their name. Please share your list.
Saddleback Church: Rick Warren
Willow Creek: CEO Driven
Mars Hill, Seattle: Biblically Driven
Life Church.tv: The Experience
Redeemer Church: Deeply Theological
Imago Dei: Emergent and Missional
Fellowship Church: Plastic
Granger Community Church: Cutting Edge
Mosaic: Artsy
What would you add to the list?
And… what one word would the people in your community ‘brand’ your church with?
It’s worth some thought… I’d love to hear your responses!
Todd
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There are 11 Comments:
Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.
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Posted by Bill A
Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 8:55 AM
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Posted by James Dalman
Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 10:49 AM
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Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 1:14 PM
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Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 3:17 PM
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Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 8:48 PM
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Posted by Rick White
Monday, July 16, 2007 at 10:02 AM
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Posted by James Dalman
Monday, July 16, 2007 at 12:27 PM
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Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 12:45 AM
Post Your Comments:I thought it was interesting that no church rated as “real” or “authentic”. Kind of sad actually… maybe we are a little to worried about being something (cool, artsy, cutting edge) and we’ve missed out on being authentic and real.
Todd,
Thanks for the reference on your blog! I’ll elaborate on what I am going to talk about in a few days but wanted to get other people’s thoughts on when a specific church name is mentioned - what is the very first thought that pops into your head. So please share your insight with us (and it doesn’t have to be a church already mentioned).
Good point Bill! However this is just my thoughts on these churches and someone else may have a different take. More about the conversation soon.
James
Mars Hill, Michigan—Relationship-oriented
Crystal Cathedral—Money
Bill
We actually try here to be authentic almost to a fault. I’ll bet a lot of people would hear the name of our church in the community and say “real”. Either that or “fun.”
Amid this branding flash I found it quite refreshing to find the following edifying news report:
What do the top two church-planting churches in America have in common?
5 07 2007
According to a recent survey by The Leadership Network, the top two reproducing churches in America are Redeemer Presbyterian (New York City-pastored by Tim Keller) and Mars Hill Church (Seattle-pastored by Mark Driscoll). Both churches have planted over 100 new churches since their inception.
Along with a radical commitment to the gospel both of these churches are confessionally reformed (Calvinistic). There is a prevailing false idea that Calvinists are not committed to evangelism. Aside from this being historically inaccurate (cf. Spurgeon, Edwards, Carey, etc..) it is also out of step with what is occurring in our lifetime.
(ht: steve mccoy)
http://www.irishcalvinist.com/?p=866
To Him alone be all the glory and all the honor, forever and ever, Amen! For He alone is worthy!
The Dream Center, Los Angeles - Doing the dirty work (in a good way)
MG,
You’re right. Thanks for bringing that up. Many people are critical of calvinists because of a perceived lack of urgency in evangelism, when in reality they are very good at it!
The first thing that I noticed in reading this list is that the ministries mentioned are all “young ministries.” I am curious to contrast the aforementioned list with the list below. What does it say about mega ministries of the past 30 years? Are the still relevant? Does the “brand” still have stying power? How many times have they been reinvented? Are they dead brands?
(in no particular order)
First Baptist Jacksonville
First Baptist Dallas
First Baptist Fort Lauderdale
Brooklyn Tabernacle
Thomas Road Baptist Church
First Baptist Atlanta
Landmark Baptist Church
There are many more, and yes, most of these churches if not all follow the SBC conservative model, however does branding a church only relevant to post-modern/seeker sensative/insert-your-denominational-stereotype here.
I’m not ranting here or speaking negatively of the this list of churches, I just wonder why these churches don’t think about branding and the impact it has on growth. Has anybody had experience in this?
Kevin...it’s a good thought to bring those guys up...but if others are like me, I simply do not know much about those churches...except that I hear people wait in lines to attend Brooklyn Tab and that Charles Stanley pastors FBC Atlanta. That’s all I got. I’m guessing James is speaking to what he knows...which is probably similar to the rest of us. MG...appreciate the comment...and you are quite correct.
Thanks again MMI for picking up this post and for all of you who have been sharing your thoughts here! I tried to post earlier but my computer must have deleted the comment.
Rick hit it on the head about what I was going to say. I don’t know many of the older established churches and only presented the churches that stand out in my cluttered brain. The only one I did recognize was Brooklyn Tabernacle.
I will explain more in Part 2 of “Best Church Brands” but the thing I was/am looking for is:
1. What churches stand out in your mind (if any)
2. What does that church stand for in a few words or less
I don’t believe that you have to be a newer church in order to be a church “brand”. In fact, great brands in the secular world have been on the block for a very long time. You also do not have to be an SBC, postmodern, seeker-sensitive, Acts 29 church to be a relevant church or church brand.
Brand is about the emotional connection and positioning in the mind of the consumer - or your church members and community. This will be the foundation for part two in the series. But before I go into all of that I have to finish it and post it! So hold tight.
Rick...glad to see you on the web! MG...great comment!
the Dream Center = Community outreach
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