David Putman Answers 3 Questions
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David Putman serves as one of the pastors at Mountain Lake Church. He also founded ChurchPlanters.com (with Shawn Lovejoy) in 2006, quickly growing it to become one of America’s largest church planting organizations. ChurchPlanters.com exists to gives church planters and church planting leaders permission to do what it takes to reach people who are disconnected from Christ and the church.
ChurchPlanters.com also organizes the annual Evolve Conference, which will be hosted by Mountain Lake Church in Cumming, GA on February 18-19. Register to attend by clicking here.
This interview focuses on the use of the web as a tool to drive ministry and build awareness.
Me: When working with church planters, what’s the most common misconception about the web?
David: If you build it they will come. Websites are a great tool, but they aren’t a cure all for getting people to your launch or new church. Another common misconception is that one size fits all. At Mountain Lake Church we have two websites: one for newcomers and one for regular attenders.
Me: In planning for and promoting Evolve, how have you used the web to build buzz?
David: About 90% of our marketing is related to the web. Our goal, no matter what we use, is to drive people to our website. Most often we utilize our blogs as well as the blogs of other to create buzz and a lot of electronic blast.
Me: On the practical end, how has the web streamlined the participation factor of Evolve and how might that translate for church leaders?
David: Practically speaking, the website works 24/7. When I’m sleeping it is still working. During meetings and other day-to-day activities, people are still accessing our site. It is amazing how much we can accomplish through the web.
###Extras###
This guy over at OldTruth.com listed my post about how Wayne’s World Could Change Your Ministry [and maybe your life] in his scrolling ticker as being “Not Awesome”. The link sent me a couple of guys who left interesting, insightful comments. Go check them out.
Another good post over at ProBlogger.net explaining why bloggers should get involved with a non-profit.
Ministry Today just published a great article by Phil Cooke (company & blog) about The Art of Branding. Check out point #2 called “A Matter of Difference.” It might change the way you brand yourself and your organization.
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Ha ha…congrats on being slammed by “OldTruth.” I guess that means you’re doing something right, huh?
People like that are why the world wants nothing to do with the church.
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
Brad Ruggles’s last blog post..Animator vs. Animation
Brad Ruggles,
Actually, the bible itself says why the world wants nothing to do with the church…they are lovers of self, God Haters, blasphemers, evil, and wicked. They don’t want the truth, nor do they understand the truth.
I’m not sure if it’s even necessary to site the scriptures that back the above up…I’m sure you’re familiar with them.
If the world has no problem with what you’re offering…then I’d double check and see that you’re offering the biblical gospel instead of something man-pleasing…
Pastor,
I’m one of the ones who left you a comment on your “Waynes world” post.
If you would, could you interact directly with the comments themselves?
I’m sure that would be beneficial to all who read them.
thanks,
bob
@Robert - No problem. I wasn’t sure if you were wanting discussion or to simply inform me. Jesus Christ is to be the only stumbling block for those far from God. It’s the process of coming to an understanding of their own need for salvation that makes Christianity and Christ difficult enough to accept. Creating more obstacles isn’t the purpose of a disciple-maker. Our purpose is to break down obstacles to Christ so that people can get to that point of being faced with their own need for Christ and not with their supposed need to fit into OUR version of Christianity.
Pastor,
Respectfully; where did you ever get the idea that “Our purpose is to break down obstacles to Christ so that people can get to that point of being faced with their own need for Christ and not with their supposed need to fit into OUR version of Christianity.”?
Isn’t our purpose to “Preach the gospel?”
Preach = proclaim
Gospel = good news/Jesus/sin/judgment/redemtion
?
This is getting a little tiresome, but I’ll explain.
@Robert - Great Commission = make disciples. I plan to make disciples as efficiently as possible. The foundation of making disciples is preaching the Gospel (what you detailed above). However, I believe there is more to it if we’re going to be effective. I believe that effectiveness in preaching the Gospel must involve cultural relevance (breaking down needless obstacles that were created by a culture that existed 25-50 years ago). Maybe I wasn’t clear on this before. This is my last response as my goal in this blog is to create community and not debate. But thanks for the hearty conversation.
Pastor,
I’ll let this drop; I wasn’t aware of your purpose; community vs debate.
I’m curious about one thing though…you said “However, I believe there is more to it if we’re going to be effective. I believe that effectiveness in preaching the Gospel must involve cultural relevance (breaking down needless obstacles that were created by a culture that existed 25-50 years ago)”
Doesn’t God decide what the preaching of the gospel results in?
The effectivity or lack therof; depends soley on God and what He intends right?
I’m guessing that’s where I’m losing you; I believe that the formula is simple:
We preach the word
God saves based on His pleasure, not our “effective job”
And If I’m hearing you correctly, then you believe that we can entice someone to be “more receptive” to our message by changing our delivery method…i.e. buying them lunch so they’ll listen to our message with a more open mind…
Anyway…
Thanks for the discussion,
bob