In the past, when a family was searching for a Church Inner West, they would speak to their friends or perhaps search the yellow pages during their area for churches. They could then visit several of those churches before they find one that they like.
The Revolution of Local Search:
In recent years, the Internet search engines have made significant improvements in the hunt for businesses or organizations within a specific geographical region, which is called local search. Now if you're looking for something and include a city in the search phrase you're likely to see results that include a map with some virtual push-pins inside it. You can get a phone number with one button, driving directions and even read reviews of your chosen spot. As a consequence, people have searched for restaurants, supermarkets and even churches online and lost their yellow pages in droves.
Does the reputation of a Church Inner West have an impact not only on how it is seen in the world but also on its ability to grow and maintain itself? There is simply no doubt in my mind that the reputation of a church is having an impact on that church's growth. And just as you don't think your church has encountered problems / challenges that have leaked out to the community, don't believe for a moment that people outside the church have some kind of understanding of what your church is all about. There's an identity in every church.
It is up to the Church Inner West and leadership to decide what they want the name to be. The good part is that if you're not satisfied with your present situation you can change it. But just as you haven't established the image in a week or a month, don't think you're going to change people's thoughts about your church overnight by writing one article or attending an inter-denominational meeting in your neighborhood.
The Revolution of Local Search:
In recent years, the Internet search engines have made significant improvements in the hunt for businesses or organizations within a specific geographical region, which is called local search. Now if you're looking for something and include a city in the search phrase you're likely to see results that include a map with some virtual push-pins inside it. You can get a phone number with one button, driving directions and even read reviews of your chosen spot. As a consequence, people have searched for restaurants, supermarkets and even churches online and lost their yellow pages in droves.
Does the reputation of a Church Inner West have an impact not only on how it is seen in the world but also on its ability to grow and maintain itself? There is simply no doubt in my mind that the reputation of a church is having an impact on that church's growth. And just as you don't think your church has encountered problems / challenges that have leaked out to the community, don't believe for a moment that people outside the church have some kind of understanding of what your church is all about. There's an identity in every church.
It is up to the Church Inner West and leadership to decide what they want the name to be. The good part is that if you're not satisfied with your present situation you can change it. But just as you haven't established the image in a week or a month, don't think you're going to change people's thoughts about your church overnight by writing one article or attending an inter-denominational meeting in your neighborhood.
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