READ: JAMES 2:1-5
One very important
public which cuts across ethnic, geo-political, socio-cultural divides of the
world is customers. Products are designed because of them. Sellers and
manufacturers are in business because of buyers. If there was nobody to buy,
there would be no production. There would be no marketing process. If buyers
would buy once and never return, all factories and manufacturing plants would
have grounded to a halt. The need for buyers to become customers is the
greatest challenge of marketing.
The marketing concept has had to evolve through various stages over time. Presently, marketers have discovered that what puts them in business is not the capital they put together – land, labour, money and entrepreneurial skills, but the buyers that make repeat purchases. If buyers refuse to patronize manufacturers for just one year, organizations that will survive may be less than 10%. Having acknowledged their importance, secular business adjusted to their new philosophy. Everything now revolves around the consumers. Hence, they say, ‘The customers are always right’: but are they? The target of business is to attract buyers and satisfy them to a point where they would become loyal customers.
In the church many leaders unfortunately do not share that philosophy. Instead of the customers being treated as king, it is the pastor and ministers that are. When the buyers (first timers) come to the church to purchase some products (spiritual services) they are treated shabbily, like they don’t matter; hence they may never repeat their visit and become customers (converts). Church leaders should take a cue from the world. You are a pastor or minister because of the congregation. Without the new comers, you may never have the financial and spiritual pillars that will help your ministry. Your church should be organized in a way as to make the service attractive, inspiring, comfortable and inviting to all your new comers (rich and poor) so that they can return and God’s counsel will stand in their lives. To this end, do not let your services be too long or else they will go some place else. Treat your visitors with great respect. Right from the gate, let your ushers welcome and treat them as kings (once they come into Christ they truly become kings). Never argue with them or publicly embarrass them. Give them a good first impression and treat them like royalty. You can be sure they will become your customers.
The marketing concept has had to evolve through various stages over time. Presently, marketers have discovered that what puts them in business is not the capital they put together – land, labour, money and entrepreneurial skills, but the buyers that make repeat purchases. If buyers refuse to patronize manufacturers for just one year, organizations that will survive may be less than 10%. Having acknowledged their importance, secular business adjusted to their new philosophy. Everything now revolves around the consumers. Hence, they say, ‘The customers are always right’: but are they? The target of business is to attract buyers and satisfy them to a point where they would become loyal customers.
In the church many leaders unfortunately do not share that philosophy. Instead of the customers being treated as king, it is the pastor and ministers that are. When the buyers (first timers) come to the church to purchase some products (spiritual services) they are treated shabbily, like they don’t matter; hence they may never repeat their visit and become customers (converts). Church leaders should take a cue from the world. You are a pastor or minister because of the congregation. Without the new comers, you may never have the financial and spiritual pillars that will help your ministry. Your church should be organized in a way as to make the service attractive, inspiring, comfortable and inviting to all your new comers (rich and poor) so that they can return and God’s counsel will stand in their lives. To this end, do not let your services be too long or else they will go some place else. Treat your visitors with great respect. Right from the gate, let your ushers welcome and treat them as kings (once they come into Christ they truly become kings). Never argue with them or publicly embarrass them. Give them a good first impression and treat them like royalty. You can be sure they will become your customers.
MEMORIZE:
JAMES 2:5 –Hearken, my beloved brethren, Has not God chosen the poor of this
world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to them
that love Him?
