Sowing Seeds excerpt from FirstSteps for Planting a Missional Church

From http://garyrohrmayer.typepad.com

1. Depend upon God’s Spirit and not marketing.
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
Psalm 20:7

2. Choose your marketing approach wisely. There are two basic categories of marketing tools: 1) A specific invitation to an event or a series of messages. 2) General awareness of the church and its vision. Many planters and pastors get frustrated because they invest in general awareness marketing expecting immediate results. If you have a limited budget always go for the specific invitation marketing.

3. Remember the law of large numbers.

4. Use a layered approach as much as possible. Do multiple touches throughout the community for at least 30-60 days. If this is done well it can produce a growth thrust for a new church. For example:

• Billboards or yard signs creating interest and buzz.
• Newspaper articles providing credibility.
• Personal invitations arming your inviters.
• Personal email invitations for your shy inviters.
• Direct mail making a specific appeal.
• Direct mail for your “second pop” event.

Special note: A “second pop” event is a special Sunday emphasizing a special guest testimony from a credible personality in the community or a special musical guest that your people will invite their friends to.

Excerpt from FirstSteps for Planting a Missional Church