There’s a lot of talk about platform these days.
Spreading your influence. Making a difference. Along with the normalcy of social media comes an endless barrage of self promotion.
But when it comes to ministry and doing all things to the glory of God, how far is too far?
All it takes is for you to open up your social media channel of choice and here’s what you’ll find:
- Look what I wrote!
- Listen to my music!
- Look who I’m hanging out with!
What happened to “he must increase, I must decrease?” Every worship leader prays it, but how many actually mean it?
We’d rather our talent be recognized or people fall in love with us.
Social Media Isn’t The Problem
It seems to me that social media isn’t the problem. It goes much deeper.
We need to feel validated. We need to feel accepted. We need people to like us.
There’s no point in hating social media. All it does is magnify what’s in your heart. The problem starts with us.
Self Promotion Isn’t the Devil
But we know that’s not completely true.
Marketing and promotion isn’t bad. If you create something, you want to let people know about it.
If you sell something, you want people to buy it.
I face this every day with each new blog post. I want you to like it, read it, and share it.
But with ministry comes an unwritten rule that self promotion is of the devil. If you have to promote yourself you’re not truly serving God because promotion is up to Him, right?
It’s our job to be faithful. It’s our job to serve. It’s our responsibility to bring attention to Christ.
Sure it is. But I believe this teaching has bred a lot of action-less people – talented people who are waiting on God to make something happen for them.
Where’s the balance?
Artists, musicians, worship leaders, and creators, what say you? How do you put your self promotion into a proper perspective – giving glory to God while you let others know what you do. You can leave a comment by clicking here.
This is a great question. In the same way our church overcorrected to the point that we, over the past few years, have had to actually be intentional about saying the name of our church. Because we so badly didn’t want to be the church that was promoting our name/brand and not Jesus, to the point that we never ever said our name or put our brand anywhere.
I think humility has to be an inner working part of promotion. Promote and create in such a way that other people will want to promote it and share it, rely on the authenticity and quality of the product to push it forward, maybe?
I write music and play in a band that honestly I don’t think has much of an audience for it’s sound, its loud it’s rough, and it’s heavy. I think if we promote in such a way that we allow people to take it or leave it, you can’t go too wrong. Our approach as a band has been “Hey we made this, we like it, maybe you will too. Either way this is what we’ve got.” Then we play a show and the response from people is usually positive and accepting.
I dont’ know if that relates or makes sense.
I agree, Jay. Humility is key. I also think it was Mark Batterson who said “the greatest message demands the greatest marketing.”
After getting past my favorite part (where you hyperlink to tweet this article) and getting a good chuckle, I focus in on one thought that might be driving the “self-promotion is bad” myth: another myth, actually, and that is that business is bad.
(Intentionally ignoring the “ministry versus business” questions) One of the most transformative things that has given me a healthier perspective as a self-employed worship coach, has been the first principle in Rabbi Daniel Lapin’s book “Thou Shall Prosper.”
He defines business as “A noble person providing for others in a marvelous environment that benevolently rewards you for your consideration.” He also says “The belief that doing business is one of the most moral & best things your can do gives you an enormous competitive advantage.”
Bottom line is that if I am doing/creating/selling something that is of benefit to others, it does both of us good to let you know about it. Shamelessly, yet humbly.
Great perspective, Dave. I think the church needs to hear stuff like this. How do you balance the “ministry” and “business” mindset together? What do you do with that tension?
Yeah, I’m still lost on this subject my friend. I serve in a church that doesn’t understand anything about artistry in the area of music and intellectual property. It’s school of thought and a real gap in thinking that I’m trying to work thru without coming off like an entrepreneur instead of a worship leader. So, consequently I’ve pretty much stopped my efforts. I’ve got a project that is in mastering and pressing stages right now, and nobody knows around here…really. Open to suggestions, ideas, prayers…etc.
Are you afraid to let people know about it?
If you see your art/work as a gift from God then it may be your obligation to share it. There’s definitely an uncomfortable tension to manage as a worship who also records original music. The goal always has to be to brig God the utmost glory and that means giving Him the credit for the work
That’s a great perspective, Matthew. “Seeing your art as a gift gives you an obligation to share it” That’s quotable, my friend.
Marketing is the way of the world. The Holy Spirit is who does everything
Paul did not need letters of recommendations because the souls were that proof
Putting a couple of comments together — if you have a gift from God, you need to share it, but not impose it. “Here’s what I have to offer, I’ve worked hard to develop this gift, I hope what I have to offer can benefit some, but no one is obligated to value my offer.”
Nor should self-promotion be competitive. A Christian seeks to encourage others to develop their gifts too. A worship leader for example is in a great position to offer the congregation the songs s/he writes. If s/he is not using that leadership visibility position to offer the congregation songs written by others on the team AND others in the congregation, but hogging the opportunity for just the worship leader’s own songs, that raises questions of motive, is WL honoring God by promoting new songs, or promoting self by squelching competition? The business world seeks monopoly, kill the competition; that’s the opposite of Christianity. If God wants lots of people doing something there is room for all, we can afford to help each other “move up,” no need to hog opportunities.
But as to churches and intellectual property, sigh, if gifts must be shared free then no authors, preachers, counselors, artists, janitors or church architects should be paid. Sharing your gift to benefit others can’t require giving it away free!
Liz, love your perspective on the difference between business and ministry. In ministry it’s not about killing the competition but releasing and believing in others. Love it!
just stumbled across your blog. GREAT stuff!! I been struggling with this issue a little bit. I had my first “solo gig” (if you want to call it that) a few weeks ago and “promoting” it made me very uncomfortable. I didn’t have anything to sell, I was just there to worship and wanted other people there to worship with me too, but still felt awkward even telling people about it! It was a learning experience for sure. I think just being humble, not constantly getting in people’s faces about whatever it is you are trying to sell or promote, and just being gracious goes a long way. If you are either genuine or a huckster, people can tell.
This is great, Jonathan. I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there. I’ve found that people connect with a humble, genuine, servant’s heart, like you said. Keep that up and people will buy your future albums 🙂 That’s in the works, right?
hoping to start something later this year! Researching my options and pricing. As I’m sure you know, it takes a lot of money, but you usually get what you pay for. A lot of people do the Kickstarter thing, but I don’t exactly have a “following” 😉 Right now I’m focusing on writing songs. I haven’t finished a complete song in a few years, until this year when I’ve decided to actually allot time to focus on songwriting. 3 completed songs in 3 months and performed all 3 live with a full band. Went GREAT and got good feedback so i guess I’m headed in the right direction!
Keep it up, Jonathan! I look forward to hearing your music.