If we in church leadership would take the principles in Yvon Prehn’s new book to heart and put them to use, we would see our effectiveness in reaching people for Christ and disciplining believers grow to unprecedented heights. The points she makes in Ministry Marketing Made Easy (Abington Press, 2004) aren’t faddish or new twists to old concepts. They aren’t the latest and greatest church growth techniques that we’d likely hear at some new-spin seminar. Instead, the points Prehn makes are good, solid communications principles that are so frank and practical, most of us in ministry overlook them in search of something more spectacular and in doing so, our ministries suffer.

If the use of the terms “marketing” and “ministry” in the same title bother you, let me assure you that Prehn’s approach is not some set of business marketing principles reinvented or retooled for the church. Prehn’s definition of ministry marketing is: “everything we do in communications and actions as servants of Jesus to share His story and to invite people to join us in the eternal adventure of living it.”

Yvon Prehn is the closest to a modern day Paul of anybody I know, having gone through many trials and tribulations of her own as she’s traveled all over the world on a missionary journey helping church secretaries, staff and pastors get a handle on building relationships with their communities and congregations. While she has a wealth of experience in communications, typography, design and marketing, her contagious energy for ministry and pure heart for people are what make her teaching exceptional. If you’ve had the privilege to hear her present many of the principles she’s included in her new book, you know that Yvon Prehn is extremely pointed and frank but kind and compassionate, too.

“We have to start being honest in the church about what works and about what doesn’t work if we are going to market our message effectively. We are losing the hearts and souls of people to every imaginable philosophy and religion, other than a saving trust in Jesus,” she says. Prehn points out that this is extremely paradoxical because we, in her words, “… have the greatest message, the most powerful tools, well-conceived church growth programs and extraordinary people working on them.” In my opinion, Prehn is precisely on target why this is so. “We aren’t communicating very well,” she says.

Like a courtroom lawyer, Prehn clearly lays out her case for marketing in ministry in the book’s first section. She first helps you see where you are with communications and marketing. Prehn is right. Until you’re willing to discover where you are with all the things you try to do to reach and disciple people – and admit your weaknesses – your ministry will never grow.

Prehn covers the misconceptions we have about church marketing, the worthy and unworthy reasons we do what we do, the killer assumptions we have and she provides insights into 21 st Century audiences. That’s section one, which includes the first five chapters. Then in section two, the next four chapters, this veteran communicator tells you what constitutes easy ministry marketing and covers the fact that it is people centered, pop culture savvy, precise and even playful. In section three, Prehn clarifies ministry marketing even more by addressing the key ministry marketing publications. She devotes a chapter to cards and postcards, another to the church bulletin and inserts and one to niche newsletters. In section four, she masterfully takes her practical strategies down to the implementation phase, showing you in the final four chapters the ways to successfully implement ministry marketing in your own church. Those secrets include making your efforts persistent and planned, programmed and publicity proactive, pervasive and partnering, properly equipped and prayer saturated. Probably some of what she has to say will not comes as news to you, but I guarantee you, much of her advice will bring refreshing approaches to stale or dead communication efforts. This book’s message is so vital and urgently needed in order to more effectively reach people in our confusing day and age that I recommend it not only for the pastor, but every teacher and leader in your church – volunteer or full time. At a minimum, the pastor and the person who sends the church letters, creates the church bulletin and bulletin board flyers needs a personal copy. Whether your church is small or large, Prehn’s insight and advice can make a profound difference in your ministry. The best buy for this book is $13.60 at www.amazon.com. Not only do I highly recommend her book, but you should check into getting her to come to your church to conduct one of her seminars which are extremely affordable, in my opinion. Find out more about her ministry at www.mincomresources.com.