Jeff Henderson was a marketing executive with Chick-fil-A and the Atlanta Braves before he started leading churches.
He opens his playbook and outlines the dos and don’ts of effective marketing and shares the backstory and strategy behind one of the most viral marketing campaigns in the church in years, the #FOR initiative that’s been adopted by hundreds of churches, businesses and even a politician.
Welcome to Episode 174 of the podcast. Listen and access the show notes below or search for the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts and listen for free.
Guest Links
Jeff on Twitter | Instagram | gwinnettchurch.org | forthecommunity.net
Links Mentioned
Rethink Leadership in Atlanta Georgia, April 25-27th 2018
The Canadian Church Leaders Conference, Barrie Ontario, June 14-16th 2018
TrainedUp Use coupon code CAREY for 10% off for life!
CNLP 016: How Anyone Can Become a Better Communicator—An Interview With Jeff Henderson
3 Insights from This Episode
1. Building a common ground in the community shows off the gospel
The church is often known for what it is against rather than what it supports. When Jeff Henderson and his team set out to plant Gwinnett Church they were determined to change that perception. They launched the #FORGWINNETT campaign; an initiative that showed the community that Gwinnett Church was breaking ground to support its neighbours.
When it comes to the church we have to understand that, for many, the church has become a dividing line. Partnering with the community creates a common ground for people that can start a new conversation, remove that stigma and show off the gospel.
2. Use social media as an opportunity to recognize the good happening around your church
Take a minute to check your social media feed…Are your posts offering a healthy balance between what’s happening inside your walls as well what’s going on in the community outside of them?
One way to get more people interested in coming to your church is to stop talking so much about how great it is. Instead, use social media as an opportunity to recognize great things you see going on around your city. Adding value to your community in turn adds value to your mission.
3. Create conversation starters that share your vision
The more people that you have carrying your vision, the more people you’ll have casting it. Equip people with your story – tell them the message and give them the tools they need to share it with the community. Simple things like hats, t-shirts and car magnets are great conversation starters that produce simple ways to share big visions.
Quotes from This Episode
CNLP 174: Jeff Henderson on the Dos and Don’ts of Marketing Your Church or Product and the Backstory to the #FOR initiative Click To Tweet CNLP 174: Jeff Henderson on the Dos and Don’ts of Marketing Your Church or Product and the Backstory to the #FOR initiative Click To Tweet CNLP 174: Jeff Henderson on the Dos and Don’ts of Marketing Your Church or Product and the Backstory to the #FOR initiative Click To TweetThe podcast releases every Tuesday morning
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Next Episode: Bryan Miles
What do you do with younger leaders who want to work remotely or from home? Is the office culture a dying culture? Bryan Miles is founder and CEO of BELAY Solutions, a rapidly growing virtual company voted by Entrepreneur Magazine as the #1 workplace culture in American in 2017. Bryan talks about how to create a great office culture, how to handle the hybrid of virtual and physical team members and much more.
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