The Christian Marketing Department

Since the Hutaree news, I've been thinking a lot lately about the Christian "marketing department." The people who believe Jesus Christ died on the cross etc. etc. and feel it's their duty to serve as representatives for our Christian brand. I wonder what our "voice" sounds like to the world and what people think of when they hear the word Christian?

Well, I don't know if there's any way around this, but I suspect they think we're a bunch of self-righteous punks. I mean, sure, Christians probably don't think so but what about the non-Christians? What do they think of us Christians? How about those people who say "I believe in a higher power, but not sure about the Jesus character" what do you think immediately comes to their mind when someone says, "I'm a Christian" if they are not? I can't speak for the entire world, only for those people I've met along the way in my life who have told me exactly what they think of Christianity. They think it's a dirty word. A lot like the word Republican, but that's a whole other post for a whole other blog.

Why do they think such things of us? Is it possibly because we tell them too often what they are doing in life is wrong? I think some of us are certainly guilty of that. Is it because in the middle of enjoying ice cream with our friends do some of us launch into "you know, Jesus loves you and died on the cross for our wretchedness" which if you don't already know..that TOTALLY turns people off? Well sure, that's part of it. Is it maybe that our representatives who are out in the public eye blame God for cursing nations with natural disasters because they "made a pact with the devil" all the while people around the world mourn the loss of precious lives? Hmmm, I can certainly understand why we might not be popular after that. Or could it simply be because we turn on our own and church's stand divided against one another for not being "Christian enough" as if we're any better because of our chosen denomination. Whatever the reason, we need to put an end to it if we , as the "one true church", are called to save people from hopelessness which can only happen through having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

No one wants to hear from us unless they're already Christian because we are not behaving like Christians. Christ isn't coming into people's homes while they're eating dinner and saying, "do you know about the blood of the Lamb, turn from your sins NOW!" If He had first approached us this way, we'd run like someone was chasing us. No. He showed us love. He shed some light on our darkness and then we became intrigued. We started wanting to do right. And that grew until we wanted to know why we wanted to do right. And then we wanted to not do wrong but couldn't and wondered why! For those of you who are Christian, you remember how you came to Christ don't you!!?? Was it through fear, guilt, and shame? Or was it because you wanted His Love, so you asked for it and He delivered?

I struggle with how I should approach my role as a marketer for God. I want to share the Good News with everyone I meet. But then I think that's exactly what creates that negative Christian brand in the first place. It's spreading the Word of God on your own, instead of allowing the Spirit of God to do it for you. We don't have to do anything. There's no real strategy involved on how to be a positive powerful marketer for God. We just have to Love Him, commune with Him, and then allow Him to work through us. We are commanded to serve others so we can be in their company and be ready when asked where this hope in our hearts comes from; but it's up to God to reveal Himself. If we wake up every morning and ask "How may I serve?", it's impossible to not become a successful sales force and powerful representatives for Christianity out in the world. It's our willingness and His will, that's all it takes.

Being Christian means bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, self-control, kindness, goodness, and gratefulness. It doesn't mean reciting Bible verses to prove we're "right" and telling people they're sinners so we feel better about ourselves. It means shining the light in everything we do. And when that light bothers people, we don't just come into their homes flash light o blazin. I'm not suggesting we hide our lamp by denying who we are and who we serve, but we share who we are by the fruits that our lives produce, not by trying to convert people to believe as we do or guilt them into turning toward God. Of course if someone asks what gives us hope, we should tell them. But let's try to not ram it down their throats and scare them into thinking they're going to burn in hell if they don't hop on board at that very moment. We just have to let them in on the secret of life and let the Spirit of God do what It does! It's not our job to "convert" people. It's our job to love and serve people.

The best marketers are the ones who believe in their products or services. We just need to believe in Christianity. Be ready when asked and be ready when the Holy Spirit opens up that perfect moment for you to share the news. You'll know exactly when it is. It's when there are no other words that fit the conversation other than "because Jesus loves me, and He loves you too." And until that time comes, just let your lights shine! That's all He really wants from us. To let go and to let God.