Ministry Connections
Christian
Business
Development
The Salesman
Christian
Business
Development
The Market
Bible
Study Preparation
Guidelines
Bible
Study Presentation
Guidelines
For more Ministry links
see the Site Menu
Christian Business Development
Series Part 1 of 3
The Product
God's Church is an International Corporation
and
Christians are associates in this business in which God
is the Chief Executive Officer. As His representatives,
we have a been given a special responsibility to produce
and distribute His products on a wide scale in order to
reach the multitudes of people living today.
Jesus said:
... I must be about my
Father's business...
Luke 2: 49
He was, and still is, fully involved in it; and we are to follow in His steps.
In this study we want to examine the need for further innovation and development in God's business as it relates to written publications, and suggest some ways in which progress can be made in this important area.
Let's begin by asking some important questions:
1. What is a product? _________________________
____________________________________________
Generally, a product is something created or manufactured by nature, human industry, or art.
2. What is God's main corporate product?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
The main product in God's Corporation is truth as given to us in the Bible; and it is to be distributed first by way of example, as well as by every other good and effective means available today.
Are you aware of the publications your Church produces for sale or distribution to it's members and the world?
The Bible tells us:
...of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Ecclesiastes 12: 12
Whatever spiritual materials are to be published in this Age of Information will need to be distinct, both in terms of their quality, and content, if people are to be helped to find the truth about God's kingdom and the way to eternal life. There presently exists quite a lot of competition for people's attention in the world, and what is to be offered along spiritual lines will need to be able to attract and interest them more now than at any other time.
3. Do you know what services your Church offers that might be able to utilize or distribute new publications?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Service is : work done or duty performed for others.
Some examples of Christian services might include: Bible Studies, Church Outreach Programs, Missionary Training Courses, Seminars on Subjects of Special Interest, Health Presentations, Community Assistance Efforts, Medical Missionary Work, etc..
4. Consider the following information when planning for new products:
A. People like to purchase things that are sensibly appealing, and which they are interested in.
B. Different products can serve many different needs.
C. People are often, mainly either, visually or audibly oriented.
D. Different products should be designed for
the various needs and interests that exist.
What do you think can happen if such important information as was presented in Points 4A-D is overlooked or ignored?
___________________________________________
____________________________________________
5. Christian publications offered to the general public are many times designed with specific religious and denominational viewpoints to be presented. Phrases and terms that may be familiar to a publication's authors, aren't necessarily shared by the recipients of those publications. Such things can serve to confuse or distract the readers, rather than educate and help them.
In what ways do you think publications could be improved in order to make Bible truth more easily understood and received by a wider group of people?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
6. Some Christian publications do not have a very wide public circulation. Can you think of some reasons why this problem might exist?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Some organizations have not yet realized, or come to understand the value and importance of advertising. If no one knows your products exist they can't be benefitted by them. Don't overlook this necessary element of success in advancing God's business.
If you fail to advertise a terrible thing happens... Nothing
7. Do you like your Church's publications? Why, or why not?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
8. In what ways do you think interest in, and circulation of, your Church's publications could be improved?
___________________________________________
____________________________________________
9. How do people often react toward purchasing products or publications they don't like?
___________________________________________
____________________________________________
10. What current events or issues do you think people are interested in today which could be incorporated into your Church's publications?
___________________________________________
____________________________________________
The only constant thing in this world is change... and the world is changing very quickly. New circumstances present new challenges and opportunities.
Are you ready for them?
Do you think it is important to consider making changes that address the needs and interests of people in order to attract them to God's truth? Why?
___________________________________________
____________________________________________
For additional materials to add to this
study, and your work, see the following links:
Contemporary
Issues &Interests
We hope that what has been presented here has been of help to you. There are two additional parts in the Christian Business Development series which we hope you will enjoy. To find them just return to the Ministry Connections column at the top of this webpage.
