Comments for Barna Blog

Comment on New Directions by Bill Bartmann_

Bill Bartmann_ — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:54:41 +0000

I’m so glad I found this site…Keep up the good work I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog. Thanks,

Comment on Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities by Stephen Belokur

Stephen Belokur — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:52:02 +0000

For those of us who have never attended a Bible school, Christian college or seminary, this is a most useful book. There were certainly words used which needed to be looked up for definition, but, on the whole it was readable and a huge help in understanding the Arminian perspective of the Holy Scriptures. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to folks of both persuasions. God bless you all and may the Holy Spirit lead us into all truth. PTL!

Comment on YOUR BRAND = INFLUENCE EQUITY by Pam Hogeweide

Pam Hogeweide — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:12:53 +0000

It’s the language. From my perspective as a church-going woman who has seen her fair share of ministry, business terms like branding raise suspicion.

If resistant faith based non-profs and organizations shrink back from branding themselves, I wonder if that resistance can be dismantled simply by speaking the language of the hearer.

I don’t like the word branding. It makes me think of cows (getting branded…go figure!) and then Twinkies flood my mind. Twinkies are most definitely a successfully branded junk food item that has become an iconic snack in America. I am not comparing faith based organizations to cows, nor twinkies…(smile)…but if the folks who are leading that organization have negative connotations with certain words like I do, then unfortunately this can lead to rejecting entire concepts because we don’t like or understand the language.

I very much like the idea of substituting words like influence and image for branding. If you talk to me about my organization’s need to broaden our influence and strengthen our image I will likely not think about cows nor twinkies but will instead be listening.

Comment on Book Review - Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic by Marshall Gupton

Marshall Gupton — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:39:58 +0000

I appreciate the insights of the book review. I have a been pastoring
since 1972. Like most others I have felt the pressure from within and without. We seem to be struggling with a number of paradigms for church work and a multiplicity of hermaneutics of scripture. Spirituality is much refined and saught after. When I started there were only a few of each of these. We were working to make the church the center of people’s lives. I have always believed in it. My family spent multiple hours each week at the church. This has not proven to be of great benefit. The institutions I have struggle hard to build and in many case been successful seem to have lost their way somehow. Everything seems now to be pointing back to the original intention, to lift Christ up. This in itself might be a burning experience. I look forward to reading the book. Thanks Marshall Gupton

Comment on YOUR BRAND = INFLUENCE EQUITY by Ed

Ed — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:15:51 +0000

The Lord’s prayer says “Hallowed be thy name”. In the OT Jehovah complained that his name was not hallowed because of the actions of his people. A praise chorus proclaims “How majestic is your name in all the earth” If we are not concerned about the “name” our actions give our organizations and by extension give God, then we are not concerned about something that very much concerns God.

Comment on YOUR BRAND = INFLUENCE EQUITY by Cinderellyme

Cinderellyme — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:45:46 +0000

Building brand equity is the missing link in non-profit marketing. The book of Acts is filled with examples of good ‘marketing’ that is actively managed in a positive way by Paul during his journeys; Paul’s passionate and consistent efforts were critical in building momentum for Christianity. But yet, believers in “ministry” oriented non-profits seem to have the biggest problem is seeing the value of brand building marketing that is not 100% tied to fundraising marketing efforts. Thank you Jim Collins for bringing this reality into the public forum.

Comment on YOUR BRAND = INFLUENCE EQUITY by Gerry

Gerry — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:32:45 +0000

Actually, the importance of brand equity was foundational in the formative years of Christian ministry–i.e. the times of the Apostles. The importance of one’s reputation, the need to be a “good witness” and be “above reproach” gets at least lip service in contemporary ministry circles as well. The idea of postively promoting our image is a biblical concept, but for some reason we have developed the idea that it is a passive rather than an active endeavor. This is unfortunate, particularly where it is the community’s rather than the individual’s image. Taking a proactive approach to our image, our brand–our community reputation and witness–is essential to effective ministry. Let’s get at it!

Comment on YOUR BRAND = INFLUENCE EQUITY by Vic Bolon

Vic Bolon — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:39:37 +0000

Having worked in public relations in both a Fortune 100, for-profit environment and in the non-profit, ministry arena, my observation is that there is a tremendous gap between the two in terms of understanding the value of the brand to an organization. The for-profit community sees the brand as a significant, tangible asset that must be proactively cultivated, monitored and protected as if it were gold. Many in the non-profit sector tend to take a more passive approach to the brand, allowing external forces to shape the organization’s reputation and public image instead of taking charge of these elements themselves. The reasons are many - a shortage of real-world knowledge of how a brand impacts the bottom line, assorted religious/denominational impediments that have marginalized the concept of branding as a “worldly” endeavor, a lack of resources with which to engage competent PR talent, and rock-star personality-driven cultures where the principals will not listen to the counsel of capable professionals until there is a scandal or a crisis of reputation. There is no aspect of ministry that is not impacted in a major way by an organization’s “brand equity” - consider the demise of any number of ministries in the wake of an image scandal. It is time for the Body of Christ to give this vital ministry asset the time and attention it deserves. Proper stewardship of an organization’s brand resources is absolutely paramount in these turbulent times…

Comment on Book Review - Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic by anne jackson

anne jackson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:31:25 +0000

thanks so much for the review, david!! really appreciate it & linked to it from my blog today.

Comment on YOUR BRAND = INFLUENCE EQUITY by Ndu Eke

Ndu Eke — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:22:41 +0000

Good stuff. How easy will it be to get some church leaders to think this way. Particularly for churches and leaders in Africa.