Prove your church is more than just a building
The key to unlocking message clarity
Your church isn't just a building... or is it?
When you describe your church, what do you say first? Do you mention where you meet? Do you talk about the denomination? What about the average age of your members?
The global church has its purpose, mission, and vision given by Christ himself. But each local congregation has a unique mission and identity inside of that global directive. We are the bride of Christ. We are a kingdom of priests. We get to amplify the message of the kingdom of God.
If you haven't identified what that is for your church, you're missing out on a way to further empower your ministries and reinforce your vision.
When I was in college, I had a friend who invited me to his church (also his parents' church). I asked him what the church was and what they were about. "It's a Baptist church" was the only answer he had for me. I can't blame him. The church was like most other churches I had attended in my life, with coffee in the foyer, songs I knew, and a sermon with a solid gospel message.
The next week, my roommate invited me to a church he had started attending. "I think you'll like them. They care about our Christian heritage and history. They care about God's kingdom." I was intriguied. When I walked in, I was greeted by three banners that read "Love God. Love People. Push Back Darkness."
I thought, "This is a church who knows what they are about."
The first church had checked the boxes of being a church, but a clear mission and vision were lacking. I believe they were involved in ministry, evangelism, and the other works of a healthy church, but their messaging didn't show it. Visitors didn't know it. Their brand was benign and lukewarm.
In contrast, the second church was unified around a common goal and a shared mission. They knew who they were as a congregation and were willing to stand behind that identity. This church had thought out ways to demonstrate and depict the vision God had given their leaders for the future. Week in and week out their congregation was reminded of those three purposes.
A church identity is not a combination of demographics. Most healthy churches will have a whole buffet of demographics, each bringing the gifts and capacities afforded by their unique season of life to the proverbial potluck. While it may seem desireable to have a younger, trendier, or wealthier church, this is not necessary for an energetic and galvanized church, which is what most pastors really mean when they talk about "attract young people."
A church identity is not a building.
A church identity is not a worship style.
A church identity is not a theological framework.
A church identity is a fellowship of believers acting with intent, unity, and confidence.
Just as the global church has creeds and confessions, so to should the local body of Christ have creed, or at least a unifying idea about its collective purpose for that context.
What's the use of a mission statement if you can't reinforce it? Ask a professional to help you design a logo and brand around your church vision.
I'm looking for a few reformed pastors who want to rebrand their church or church plant in the next 30 days, and want me personally to help them craft a logo and brand guide that will be memorable, unifying to their congregation, and honoring to their heritage.
This rebrand process is the same one I used for Walnut Street Baptist Church in Kentucky, Christ the King Pres. in Missouri, and King's Cross Community Church in New Mexico, just to name a few.
I've created a free assessment that allows you to get personalized recommendations for if, when, and how to rebrand your church.
Get results within minutes!
