Contrasting Statements

This video brought tears to my eyes. Nothing special about it, just lives changed. It is funny how powerful two contrasting statements can be.

Church: Hillside Christian Church
HT: Converse Christian

What’s In a Brand

Recently the Ministry Growers team has teamed up with a church in the Houston, TX area to embark upon a rebranding adventure together. Both our team and the newly formed church “communications committee” are very excited about the potential for impact on both the local community and God’s kingdom.

This partnership and project has really brought to the forefront what it means to “brand” a church/ministry. I think that a lot of times we sell ourselves (and God) short when we think of a brand as just a snazzy logo, cool full-color brochure, and a  shiny new website. When, in actuality, branding is all about the story and emotions that are behind it all.

As churches and ministries we have one of the most captivating and compelling stories to tell. It’s a redemptive story of God’s son, Jesus, and his love and sacrifice for all of humanity. It’s our job to present that story in a relevant and accessible manner, that connects to the emotions of the people of today. If we focus our “branding” and communication efforts on telling this one story I think we’ll all be surprised by what God can do.

“And when I am lifted up from earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 
(John 12:32 - NLT)

Clean Graffiti

This is beautiful. Something that has been covered in dirt for years can become a work of art. Sound familiar?

HT: VLU

POWER (in weakness)

As Americans we strive to be comfortable. We grasp for power and knowledge for our own personal gain. The American church has even embraced this concept, and that scares me. It also scares me that I wont risk pain or hardships for Christ’s glory. I want to be safe behind a computer telling the world how great our God is. But read this verse. Christ did not want that for Paul. It was God’s will that Paul have pain and weakness in his life. And in that weakness was the power of God.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

(if you like the font in the graphic, grab it from bitbox)

Sweet-Toothed Marketing

I think this is so cool. Some great art could be created with this, all you need is an imagination. What do you think? Can the church use this for any good purpose? I’m not sure it can, or how to do it, but lets open it up. Read more about it here.

HT: UnBeige

STOP TRYING

DOWNLOAD FREE POSTER HERE.

This poster is a reminder to me. I need to stop trying to earn salvation, stop trying to earn love. I was dead in my sins, but God still gave me grace. I was a slave to sin, but in God’s love I have freedom. I did not earn this, nor can I try and earn it now. Stop trying to earn God’s love and just accept it. Ephesians 2:1-10

Nut Jobs Part 2: God in Our Own Imagination?

Either the Virgin Mary really does love grilled cheese sandwiches and Jet Blue potato chips, or these peeps belong in the “Nut Job” series Corey is working on. Enjoy:

Religious Images - Chicago Tribune

Hot off the Press

I needed some art for my office, so I printed up some posters. Don’t want to overkill this design, but thought it looked cool in black. May be offering these in the future for you fine folks, but we just did shirts, and I am broke.

No Words Are Good News

“Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”

These words are typically (and potentially incorrectly) attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, a thirteenth century merchant’s son who left his privileged home and family to share the gospel and live alongside the poor. They remind us that we are called to live out our faith everyday, preaching the gospel through our acts of love, service, worship, and grace.

As ones who are involved with church marketing, I think this quote is a good reminder that as creative as we can be, and as cool of art as we can produce, there is no better marketing for the good news of Christ than the lives we live.

My question to you today is, how is your church preaching the gospel without using words?

Nut Jobs

I am working on a series for a church called “Nut Jobs: Christianity, Cults & Kooks”. Sometimes it is great to start off by designing for just me. I love this art, but they might not.