Multi-Level Marketing in the Church and Other Listener Questions

Podcast Episode #270We cover listener questions on a host of topics including multi-level marketing in the church—something we've never really discussed on the podcast or blog.Some highlights from today's episode include: * Fellow church members should not be seen as targets for multi-level marketing and sales. * One of the worst things an associate pastor can do is become disloyal to the pastor. * Pastors should get over the idea that they should only be working in the office. * It takes intentionality to build relationships with non-Christians. * Church leaders should prescribe curriculum or curriculum choices to their groups. * You have to be intentional about training small group leaders. * It's always easier to connect training to weekly worship service times because people are already on campus.The five topics we cover in the questions are: * Multi-level marketing and sales in the church * Leading from the second chair * Building relationships with non-Christians * Helping members financially * Selecting groups curriculum and training leadersEpisode SponsorsVanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.Midwestern Seminary, one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America, exists to train leaders For The Church. The local church is God’s “Plan A” for the proclamation of the gospel, and there is no Plan B. And this is Midwestern’s vision and heartbeat—equipping pastors and other ministry leaders who are called to expand God’s mission in the world through the local church. At Midwestern Seminary: they train leaders ‘For The Church.’Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.FeedbackIf you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast * Leading from the Second Chair podcast episode with Brad WaggonerQuestions covered on today's podcastFrom MattWithin all of the churches I have been a part of there is the issue of the attending salesmen. It could be a member who has an insurance company, owns a mechanic shop or sells Avon. Often I have an impression or an overt request, that because the members offer goods and services it is expected that everyone within the church "network" use their product. What is the best course of action for leaders and congregants to take, especially if one would rather use other sources for the same product?From EricI am a young pastor and I am only in my fourth year of full-time ministry as the associate pastor in our church. I have tried to move slowly in creating change and I have done my best to be sensitive to the feelings of our congregation when the need for change arises, but they often see me as nothing more than a young pastor who just wants to change for the...