Dance Ministry Ethics #3: Self Promotion
October 26 – 30, 2009 is Dance Ministry Ethics Week here on Paneh’s site. Each day a new topic will be featured for discussion. The scenarios presented are based on real events however no actual names will be used.
The topic for day 3 is Self Promotion or Creative Marketing?
The Lord has graced us with many gifts to be a blessing to HIS people. The bible tells us in Matthew 28:19 to go and make disciples...this involved sharing what they were taught. The bible also says in Ephesians 4:11 that He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry. He bestows gifts on us to share with the world.
The Bible also says
A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Proverbs 18:16
In this Information Technology Age, we have another media to spread the gospel that was not available to the disciples. I’ve heard it said before that God’s message doesn’t change but the method does. We have social networking, e-mail, cell phones, and much more at our finger tips. How do we leverage the zeal to do the work of the ministry with the promises of God?
Creative Marketing or Self Promotion?:
- Typically, I’ll receive several e-mails or phone calls from people letting me know they are available to minister (teach, preach, sing, dance) at an upcoming conference.
- I find myself "subscribed" to various newsletters that I have never signed up for
- Asking to be placed on program
- Posting their own event flyers on my "wall" (Facebook / Myspace) when I am not affiliated with it
- Harvesting contact information from someone for your own use (This is why I encourage using the BCC field with email. When someone sends and email and the address is shown in the TO block….any recipient can take all the email addresses and send their own information.)
It’s your turn!
I’ve listed several examples above. Do you believe that behavior is OK from a Christian ethical standpoint? Why or why not?
Share your own stories / testimonies, insights and questions below!
Posted by Lakita Fane
Lakita Fane serves as the founder of Paneh Praise Dance & Mime Ministry. Find out more about her or follow her on Twitter (@Paneh).
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Well,again, I can only speak from my personal experience and preferences…
*I have NEVER asked to be put on program
*I have NEVER suggested someone invite me to minister at their event
*I only use contact information (email addresses and the like) that has been voluntarily given to me (usually by them signing up for my ministry communication)
*I have NEVER used contact information from other ministry’s lists
*I may post information on my own wall of FB or similar networks, but I NEVER post that info on other people’s walls (even my closest friends)
In other words, I feel that self-promotion is unnecessary altogether. I see nothing wrong with sharing ministry newsletters, event information, etc. with those you have already established a relationship with, and who wish to remain in contact with you. If God wishes to “expand your borders” He will do so Himself, and only for one reason, to exalt the name of Jesus and cover the earth with His glory!!!
@Dawn – Thanks again for your insight! You brought up some points I wanted to discuss: websites, newsletters, business cards, etc
I believe that when using the tools above are great so people can PULL FROM them instead of being PUSHED on them.
Newsletters are a great example. I have a newsletter that is double-opt in, that means the subscriber initiates the reply and confirms before their subscription is activated. The recipient’s actions indicated a desire for information. There is also an unsubscribe link so anyone can opt out should they change their mind later. This is a PULL. A push would be adding people to your mailing list and sending them information they did not request to receive.
Business Cards are another great example. I believe it is efficient to be PREPARED to provide business cards and materials if & when people ASK (a pull), however, it is not a good practice to push your information into everyone’s hands. A couple year’s ago some came to a dance event I was hosting and handed out flyers to everyone that was coming in the door without my knowledge or permission. Several people complained about this. In this case, the zeal to spread the word about your services created an offense.
Websites allow people to pull information. They can come and go as they please.
Blessings!
Wow, thank you Sister Lakita and Dawn, you ladies have said it all.
We all need to hear this wisdom. When I was younger, I was excited about alot of opportunities to minister. But, as I began to mature the Lord showed me how to focus on His purpose for me in worship dance.
I think when we are close to the Father, He will make it clear to us how and when we should share our ministry with others. Another thing, many times God will open a door that we had nothing to do with so, that He can get all of the glory.
Thank you so much for having this post.
there is a difference between making my presence known through networking, and self-promotion. i always have my business cards with me, and if someone asks me for my information, i give them a card, or if i am LED by God to give someone a card, i do so. but i don’t promote myself, i don’t believe in asking to be on a program, or to be part of an event. everything that i have done, i have been asked to do, and some of that i have had to turn down.
on MySpace, many of the people i have reached out to, have been through other people’s “friends” but even then, i reach out to those who i am drawn to, and not the ones with big names so i can be associated with them. as a matter of fact, i avoid those, because it is easy to get swallowed up in the mix. i like the networking because it gives me an opportunity to see what others are doing, and to be encouraged by what they have to offer. and…because i write, there are a lot of unsaved writers who have been moved by my writing. i was invited to be featured on a secular website. why? because i networked and made myself known wisely.
if we do things with the right motivation, it will work for us. however, a blind person can see through one who is only interested in promting themselves just for the sake of doing so.
blessings
d246
I am so busted!
Have I ever “harvested” email-addresses from emails I found in emails that others sent on to me? Yes, definitely!
Have I ever posted anything about my blog onto other people’s websites or social networking sites? Yes!
I never had a problem w/the email question, but can now understand how posting my blogname onto other people’s websites/social networking sites could be a violation of their ’space.’ For those I offended, I humbly apologize.
OK, OK, so this is why, Sis. Lakita, I thank you for this discussion. I will reform my wayward ways.
Humbly submitted (His Hem Ministry)
His Hem Ministry ~
I am sooooo impressed with the honesty and transparency you have shown in your posted response!
It is a true rarity in the Body of Christ for Christians to admit they may have erred.
WOW…..God will reward your humiity!!!
@His Hem Ministry ~ I echo everything Minister Dawn said!
Hello again its me the newcomer with the late comments. I don't believe you should promote a ministry event on another person's page wall etc… with out their permission. That is not Christ-like at all. The comments posted by dancer246 is very much on point about the topic….. God led, God inspired. Everything we do should be because God has led us to or God has led someone to us. We are ministers, and we should remain humble. So that they see Christ and not us.
@StephNIE: Better late than never! Thanks for your input
Kita