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Ministry Leader Worried About the 'Marketing' of Christ
The head of a Christian ministry in Oregon who says he's concerned with the rise of market-driven evangelical churches in the U.S. is speaking out against the "seeker-friendly" way of doing church.

Reaching the lost through the latest marketing techniques -- that is the approach many evangelical churches are adopting today in hopes of growing their congregation. Christian researchers like George Barna have stated that such an approach is essential in a market-driven society.

But Christian author Tom McMahon is concerned by the trend. The executive director of The Berean Call says using gimmicks to attract unbelievers to church and keep them happy is not how the gospel should be preached....

...On his ministry's website, McMahon states the problem lies in attempts to fit the gospel and Jesus Christ Himself into a marketing strategy. But those two things, he says, are not "products" to be "sold," nor can they be "refashioned or image-adjusted" to appeal to the felt needs of a consumer-happy culture....