Ryan Wakefield: Planning for Ongoing Discipleship, Not the Next Big Event

Ryan Wakefield has many years of experience working in the trenches with the local church.  Ryan graduated from Evangel University with a major in Biblical Studies and a minor in Marketing. He also received his Masters Degree at Evangel in Organizational Leadership and is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God.  Ryan is the co-founder of ChurchMarketingUniversity.com and the Director of Social Church.

Key Questions for Ryan Wakefield:

Why do we need to rethink Easter?

Why is there tension between a big celebration, like Easter, and creating disciples?

What are some practical ways to get people to come back after Easter?

Key Quotes from Ryan Wakefield:

“The vast amount of churches have trouble getting visitors back after a big event like Christmas or Easter.”

“The biblical mandate is not the big event, it’s ongoing discipleship.”

“Easter is like the Super Bowl for the church…..our Super Bowl should be people coming back.”

“When you start to plan Easter, start your planning after Easter and work back.”

“When you go to a movie they spend the first ten minutes telling you why you should come back with their previews. We should be like that.”

“If you can get the kids excited and men excited….you have a great shot at getting them back.”

“If you don’t have a way of getting contact information from visitors you aren’t starting a relationship.”

“Marketing is starting new relationships. That’s why it’s one of the most important things we can do in ministry.”

“If you want effective follow-up and assimilation after a big event you really need a six to eight week strategy with multiple touch points along the way.”

“This type of change doesn’t happen overnight.  Our resource gives a church team a chance to talk about common ideas and start shifting to a much more effective approach.”

Links Mentioned by Ryan Wakefield in the Show:

Rethinking Easter

Facebook Church Marketers Group