Catechesis: Not Just for Theology Geeks
Marc Cardaronella has written a great response to my recent post on adult faith formation. Marc gets to the heart of the problem with this passage: I think a lot of catechetical programming is geared toward the theology geeks and old regulars. It centers on teaching doctrines or other aspects of the faith. But to draw in a wider audience, it needs to tell people how to solve real problems. I’m not saying that catechesis isn’t important (except if it’s boring). I’m saying that often it’s not perceived as important by the average person in the parish. That’s because it’s not...
Read MoreMarketing the Faith by Telling Our Stories
My friend Marc Cardaronella has an excellent post over at his blog on the need for better “sales and marketing” in the Church. He writes In my experience, people need to hear the benefits of Catholicism to be attracted to it. And, they need to hear how it worked and is working in our own lives. Most people are attracted to something through other people. You’re not lying when you tell people the great benefits you receive from being Catholic. You’re not trying to mislead people when you describe the peace that comes from faithfully following Church teaching. They may not...
Read MoreFootnotes and Further Reading – Marketing Your School Online
Today I offered a breakout session at the 2010 Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference on school marketing in the internet era. The following are footnotes and suggestions for further readings for the attendees: Books Branding Faith: Why Some Churches and Nonprofits Impact Culture and Others Don’t, by Phil Cooke (you can also read my review of this book) The Cluetrain Manifesto, by Rick Levine et al (this dense book, written in 1999, was remarkably prescient about the impact the internet would have on business and society) Web Sites and Articles One Minute School Website Check Catholic...
Read MoreUpcoming Webinar: Reaching Parishioners with Facebook
Next month I will be offering a free webinar on creating and maintaining a parish Facebook page: With over 500 million active members, Facebook is the most popular social networking site online. Chances are that many of your parishioners are already there. Is your parish? This free webinar will explore why parishes should have a presence on Facebook and how they can connect with their parishioners by setting up a Facebook page. Participants will watch step-by-step as a Facebook page is set up in real time. Tips will also be shared on how to make the best use of your page once it is set...
Read MoreBook Review: Branding Faith
“Marketing” is a bad word in church circles. It implies manipulation, impure intentions and other chicanery. This is not without reason; corporate marketing has become a science, with companies spending millions of dollars to understand the psychological and sociological impact of advertising. Many Christians, understandably, believe it would be unseemly — if not sinful — to employ modern marketing techniques on behalf of the Church. Phil Cooke‘s 2008 book, Branding Faith: Why Some Churches and Nonprofits Impact Culture and Others Don’t, seeks to change...
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