Cherish the Old

THE KEY QUESTION: 

"Why do people say yes?"

“Repent [metanoeo] therefore and be converted [epistrepo], that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing [ana (again) + psuche [soul) = restoration] may come from the presence of the Lord,” (Acts 3:19)

Everything we talk about will be deep dive into a profound understanding of why people say YES to God.

As His ambassadors, we need them to say YES to us too as we communicate HIS message. 

Understand Motivation (m): 

Ministry leaders need to discern the motivations of their congregation. This involves knowing their spiritual needs, struggles, and aspirations.

• Scriptural Support: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10)

Articulate Your Ministry's Special Gift to Your Community and World (v): 

Clearly communicate the unique value and message of your ministry. Help people understand the spiritual growth and community they can experience through your services and activities. 

What makes you special and unique? 

What makes your message appealing? 

• Scriptural Support: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)
• “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Provide Spiritual Incentives (i): 

Provide additional motivations for engagement, such as special events, study groups, practical help, deliverance/healing prayer, or community service projects that align with spiritual growth. In short... LOVE. All of these incentives nudge people closer to Calvary. 

• Scriptural Support: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24)
• “not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” (Titus 2:10)

Reduce Spiritual Friction (f): 

Identify and minimize obstacles that may prevent new members from participating fully. This could involve addressing confusion, logistical challenges, time constraints, emotional barriers, family of origin issues, etc. 

• Scriptural Support: "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." (Hebrews 12:1)

Address Anxiety (a): 

Pastors should address concerns and uncertainties, providing reassurance based on trust and faith, through an understanding of personal struggles or doubts within the faith community.

• Scriptural Support: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

By applying these principles, ministry leaders can more effectively engage with potential members, fostering a nurturing environment that promotes evangelism, spiritual growth, and conversion 

As a next step, evaluate your current ministry programs in light of these principles. 

• Which area do you feel could use more focus?
• How can you integrate these insights to enhance your church's spiritual journey?
• What will it take to engage more people than ever before with you, your ministry, and your message? 

A way of analyzing conversion potential: 

C = 4m + 3v +2 (i-f) - 2a

EXPERT: Marketing Professor

PROMPT: Please give me a brief explanation of "conversion science."

EXPERT: Marketing Professor

PROMPT: Great explanation. Thanks. Please rewrite it, point by point, for ministry leaders. I want to apply conversion science to pastors and other leaders in ministry. Please incorporate Scripture verses as they apply.

EXPERT: Marketing Professor

PROMPT: Where in Scripture would you find a statement about conversion per se? Why do people say yes? Where is that question actually treated in the bIble 

[NOTE: when you use AI, there's no need to fix typos.]

EXPERT: Marketing Professor

PROMPT: can you give me the conversion heuristic?

EXPERT: Sermon Upgrader

PROMPT: Help me write inspirational article or blog post for my church's elders and ministry leaders. I want them to understand the basics of conversion science. But I don't want it to sound like all I care about is business. WE have a passion for souls. Let that come thru loud and clear. We want lost people saved! We want saved people to grow in grace and to experience all that God has for them. But we need a YEs from them. Help me train, inform, and inspire.

LINK TO THIS DISCUSSION: 

https://meclabsai.com/share/x3frjjZuzAfxlbt

YOUR TURN:

EXPERT: Sermon Upgrader

PROMPT: Help me craft a sermon on Conversion using [Scripture] as my main verse. I want to teach my congregation the important factors in our evangelistic task. I want the conversion heuristic to inform the message, but not to be explicit. Provide a sermon title, main idea, and simple outline. 

[Copy and paste]

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” (Romans 12:10)

“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls...” (2 Corinthians 12:15)

From ME FIRST to YOU FIRST

From ME FIRST

• WHAT IT IS: Speaking to the prospect about the church and its programs.
• WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE: Here at Acme Ministries, we care about people. Come to our Christmas Program. Join Us at Pathway Church.
• Look for the words... “here at” and “we/I/us”
• EXAMPLE: planting and nurturing great commission, serve with us, get involved

To YOU FIRST

• WHAT IT IS: Speaking to the prospect about the prospect; making them the hero of the story and casting a vision of what life could be like with Jesus and his Gospel in it; giving-giving-giving before asking.
• WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE: Find the hope you've been looking for. Experience Peace Like Never Before. Bring Your Vision to Life Faster than You Ever Dreamed Possible, You were made for greatness.
• Look for the words… “you” and “get/become” or other value-promising imperative verbs.
• EXAMPLE:  Jessup University: You were meant to make a difference. We’ll get you ready. (here)

PRINCIPLES

QUESTION: Every person every day in every [website] interaction is asking: IS THIS WORTH IT? (Time, effort, money)

RULES: 

• Flint McGlaughlin: “Four words to value.” You must promise value as fast as possible to anyone visiting your site, looking at your flier, or preaching your message, or they will click away within seconds. 
• Gary Vee: “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook.” Give, give, give before you ever ask for anything. 
• BIBLICAL VALUE: Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Let's create a 

MASTER CONTENT DOCUMENT

This document will bring order and clarity to your church's message. 

STEPS:

Let's go step by step. 

1. Open a new document in Word or Pages. 
2. Name it "[Ministry Name] MCD Prep" and Save it
3. Go to your home page. Select All. Copy. Paste into your MCD Prep doc.
4. Copy/Paste: About Page
5. Copy/Paste: Mission, vision, values pages
6. Copy/Paste: Ministries Page
7. Copy/Paste: Doctrinal Statement
8. Copy/Paste: Staff or Leadership
9. Copy/Paste: All Top Pages (the more the better)

Now do the same with an organizational, planning, goals, strategic documents, philosophy, or anything else you and your leadership team has created. 

COPY/PASTE EVERYTHING INTO YOUR MCD PREP DOC.

WHEN FINISHED: 

Save the doc and export it as a PDF. 

WHAT ARE WE DOING? 

We are collecting the SUM of EVERYTHING your ministry is saying to the world about yourselves and your message. 

NEXT STEP:

EXPERT: AI MCD Creation Agent

PAPERCLIP: Attach your MCD Prep doc.

PROMPT: Provide an MCD from this info about our church which is called [insert name]

COPY AND SAVE THE MCD for our next sessions.

This is the chat where we worked through the value prop for Gallatin Valley Church. 

https://meclabsai.com/share/U51dDzfpYMhxNA8

Levels of the Value Proposition for a Church

1. Primary Level

• Definition: The core promise and mission of the church to its congregation and community.
• Purpose: To communicate the overarching spiritual and communal benefits of participating in the church's activities and mission.
• Focus: Values that flow from the heart of the leader and the core people stated in a way that speaks to the secular mind of ideal prospects in the community. 

2. Prospect Level

• Definition: Tailored to different groups within the community, such as families, youth, seniors, newcomers, or long-standing members.
• Purpose: To resonate with specific needs or desires of specific groups, making church involvement relevant and meaningful.
• Limited: Choose 3-5 personas for your main niche.
• Focus: Personalized messaging that addresses unique interests, challenges, or aspirations.
• Families: "Creating a place where families can grow together in faith."
• Youth: "Engaging activities and programs that inspire and empower young hearts."
• Seniors: "A welcoming community offering companionship and support in every season of life."

3. Product Level (or Ministry Level)

• Definition: Value propositions related to specific ministries or programs offered by the church.
• Purpose: To articulate the unique benefits or impact of each ministry, attracting participation and engagement.
• Focus: Highlighting ministry-specific goals, activities, and impacts.
• Example:
• Children’s Ministry: "Fostering a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for spiritual exploration among our youngest members."
• Outreach Programs: "Making a tangible difference through impactful community service and compassionate outreach."
• Worship Services: "Uplifting services that renew your spirit and deepen your connection with God."

4. Process Level

• Definition: Refers to how the church organizes and delivers these ministries or services, ensuring a positive and meaningful experience.
• Purpose: To demonstrate the efficiency, welcoming nature, and supportive structures of the church.
• Focus: Operational excellence, inclusivity, and accessibility.
• Example: "Streamlined processes ensure every congregant feels welcomed, informed, and engaged from their very first visit."

https://youtu.be/WBW60n66cxg?si=Sc3teedggrowumQx

The Initial Customer Profile (ICP) Analysis 

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

Your ICP is a crucial framework to define and understand your target customer deeply.

You are essentially identifying and naming your top 3-5 Prospects (for your Prospect Level Value Proposition)

Writing your ICP  involves identifying five key elements:

----------------

1. SELECTION

This refers to clearly defining who your target customer is. It's about identifying the specific individuals, businesses, or segments most likely to benefit from and use your product or service.

Questions to Ask:

1. Who are our ideal prospects as we examine our own calling as a leader, our corporate calling as a church, our community, and our manifest fruit?
2. What are the demographics and psychographics of these customers?
3. What are their buying behaviors and purchasing power?

----------------

2. DIRECTION

This involves understanding the motivations of your target customers. It focuses on why they might be interested in your product or service. In other words, what are their FELT NEEDS?

Questions to Ask:

1. What problems are our customers trying to solve?
2. What needs or desires drive our customers' decision-making?
3. How critical are these motivations in the context of their lives or businesses?

----------------

3. ORIENTATION

This involves identifying where the customer is in their journey or purchase cycle. Are they in the awareness, consideration, or decision-making stage?

Questions to Ask

1. At what stage in the buying journey is our target customer?
2. What information do they need at each stage to progress towards a purchase?
3. How do they gather information and make decisions?

----------------

4. JUSTIFICATION

This looks at the reasons why a customer would select your product over competitors. Why is your offering the best solution for them?

Questions to Ask:

1. What unique value does our product offer?
2. How does our product compare to competitors in solving their needs?
3. What evidence or proof can we provide to support our claims?

----------------

5. STYLIZATION

This involves determining how to communicate effectively with your customers, including the voice, tone, and specific social medi and other channels.

Questions to Ask:

1. What channels and mediums do our customers prefer for communication?
2. What tone and style resonate best with our audience?
3. How can we tailor our message to align with their values and expectations?

By systematically exploring these elements, you can create a comprehensive mental picture of your ideal prospects, leading to more effective communication strategies and higher conversion rates. 

Shared Link for this process: 

https://meclabsai.com/share/ZEitLb1RR4FlwBY

STEP 1:

APP: Zip Code Demographics

Prompt: "https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/XXXXX" 

[Replace XXXXX with a Zip Code]

[If AI won't read the site, click the link, and use copy paste]

STEP 2:

EXPERT: DEMOGRAPHIC MATCH FINDER

Prompt: "From this demographic data above help identify the top market segments"

STEP 3:

EXPERT: DEMOGRAPHIC MATCH FINDER

Prompt: "Craft an ICP Profile for each market segment identified above"

STEP 4: 

EXPERT: ICP PROFILER

Prompt: "Provide the ICP for the 2nd market segment identified above"

STEP 5: 

EXPERT: ICP PROFILER

Prompt: "Craft a lifelike persona for each ICP Profile above"

STEP 6:

EXPERT: CONVERSION PRO

Prompt: "Convert the two personas you just wrote into narratives."

STEP 7:

Edit the outputs as the Spirit moves you and then...

Copy the following:

1. ICP Profile 1

2. ICP Persona/Avatar 1.

3. ICP Persona/Avatar 1 Narrative

Paste it into your MCD and title it:

"Top Prospect 1 for [Church Name]

STEP 8:

Edit the outputs as the Spirit moves you and then...

Copy the following:

1. ICP Profile 2

2. ICP Persona/Avatar 2

3. ICP Persona/Avatar 2 Narrative

Paste it into your MCD and title it:

"Top Prospect 2 for [Church Name]

Remember to save your updated MCD and to export it in PDF format. (Trash any previous versions .)

HOORAY AND WELL DONE! You did it!!

Now it's time to make a Value Prop!!

STEP 1:

EXPERT: Conversion Pro

PROMPT: Use the attached MCD to create a Value Proposition for [Church Name]. We are passionate about reaching lost people outside our doors. Craft our Value Prop accordingly. Write as if speaking to a prospect thinking about checking out our church. Speak to the secular mind. Use punchy language. Do not sound religious. Do not alienate unchurched people. Be bold. Be interesting. Be powerful. Give me something almost subversive in God Honoring ways. Don't let our church sound normal or boring like any other church. I'm counting on you to help me change the world, so let's go! 

[Attach your MCD using the paper clip (or copy/paste)]

STEP 2:

EXPERT: Conversion Pr

PROMPT: [Tell conversion pro what kind of edits or changes to make, unless they are minor enough for you to use the edit pencil]

OR...

Beef up this Value Prop. Help anyone who reads it imagine a powerful future for our church as we boldly bring this value prop to life. Help anyone outside the family of God reading it to really want to investigate our church. 

Copy and paste your value prompt into a new document called [Church Name] Value Prop.

NOTE: You will refine this and upgrade it over time. Be good with 70% now and make it better over the coming months. Don't be uptight about perfection!

STEP 3:

EXPERT: Conversion Pro

PROMPT:  Now, let's create a PROSPECT LEVEL value proposition for this persona, [NAME].  Keep consistent with our primary value prop above. Remember, We are passionate about reaching lost people outside our doors. Craft our Prospect Level Value Prop accordingly. Write as if speaking to [NAME] thinking about checking out our church. Speak to the secular mind. Use punchy language. Do not sound religious. Do not alienate unchurched people. Be bold. Be interesting. Be powerful. Give me something almost subversive in God Honoring ways. Don't let our church sound normal or boring like any other church. I'm counting on you to help me change [NAME'S] life, so let's go!

MAKE EDITS AND ADJUSTMENTS TILL YOU ARE 70% SATISFIED. COPY THE PROSPECT LEVEL VALUE PROP, AND PUT IT INTO YOUR MCD. 

THEN GO TO THE NEXT STEP.

Start a New Chat

STEP 1:

EXPERT: Conversion Pro

PROMPT: I am giving you a primary value prop for our church and a prospect level value prop for one of our top prospects [name]. I am also giviving you [name's] persona.  Assuming [name] is not saved, write a short prayer my church can pray that God would use us to help [name] meet Jesus. 

STEP 2:

EXPERT: Conversion Pro

PROMPT: /CBS events, groups, talks, or topics to appeal to [Persona Name]. 

(Pro Tip: /cbs is a short code for "Creative Brain Storm." You're welcome).

STEP 3:

PICK ONE and only one idea from the above list, preferably an "event." If you don't pick an event, you're on your own from now on!!! You have 30 seconds. Go! 

STEP 4: 

EXPERT: Event Strategist

PROMPT: Help me plan and name [event] happening a month from now. Come up with 3 possible names. 

STEP 5:

EXPERT: Email Strategist

PROMPT: Compose a sequence of 3 emails to invite invite our church to this event, but write with [persona] in mind. Tell me the best days of the week to email them 

STEP 6:

EXPERT: Marketing Professor

PROMPT: Write a 3 week plan to spike attendance for this event, assuming I've already done my preliminary research in this whole thread. 

STEP 7: 

EXPERT: Copywriter: Instagram

PROMPT: Provide 8 social media posts. 

You get the picture. The sky's the limit. 

1. Use your Primary prop to inform your Prospect Level Prop. 
2. Use your Prospect Level Prop to inform your collaterals. 
3. You can ask for emails to your church people to drum up volunteers and prayer. 
4. You can ask for emails to your nurture list to drum up attendance. 
5. You can ask for a training session in evangelism for our key people. 

HERE'S THE SAMPLE VALUE PROP FOR PATHWAY CHURCH

[Note: doing this is HARD WORK, even with the Holy Spirit and MinistryAI at your side!! We've done about 12 versions of this. GIve yourself time...]

Why Pathway?

Because at Pathway you'll discover that most of what you think about Christianity is dead wrong. We’re not interested in making you more religious — we’re interested in making you more alive. 

You’ll find… singles building great careers, couples dreaming of their wedding day, other couples working through divorce, and entrepreneurs starting businesses. You’ll you’ll find business leaders, blue-collar workers, struggling families, students, recovering addicts, hurting kids, judges, doctors, teachers and everything in between.

You’ll find find regular people who've been surprised by a radical experience of grace... a grace so amazing most churches call it scandalous and turn away, just like they did when Jesus first taught it. 

You’ll find…

• a salvation so free you’ll object it’s too easy…
• a love so strong you couldn’t lose it if you tried, and…
• a Father more committed to you than you’ll ever be to him.   

Whether you’re struggling with tough times, or just looking for an upgrade in your life, then at Pathway, you just might find yourself in a really great place. 

Leadership Principle: 

Exhortation that doesn't lead to structure doesn't lead to results. 

Exhortation > [Structure] > Results 

It's one thing to exhort your church to be in community and fellowship. It's another thing to create a small group structure to facilitate the community. 

Never complain when your people don't do what you want them to do if you're not creating structures to facilitate it. 

Nehemiah didn't just exhort the building of the wall from a distance, he organized it... from ideation to budget to work schedules to methodology (sword and trowel) to advocacy. If it doesn't get on the calendar, it doesn't happen.  

Leaders lead through structures that people will actually flow into.

• Prayer meeting isn't enough. 
• Small groups have replaced prayer meetings in many cases. 
• We need to think outside the Prayer Meeting Box, as it appeals to very few (remember the value prop)
• So...

---------------------

EXPERT: Conversion Pro

PROMPT: /cbs 20 ways to organize prayer events and gatherings in a church of 80 people

NOTE: /cbs (with the slash) is a short code for Creative Brain Storming

Let's do it now. 

--------------------

From the Biography of Billy Sunday: 

"After Sunday has accepted a city's invitation and a date has been fixed for the meetings, and the time has drawn near, he gets the Church people to organize. Before ever a hammer has struck a blow in the building of the Sunday Tabernacle, the people have been meeting daily in the homes of the city for concerted prayer for the Divine favor upon the campaign.

By the Sunday system of work, every few blocks in the city is made a center for cottage prayer-meetings. No politician ever divided a community more carefully than do the Sunday workers in arranging for these prayer-meetings. Every section of the city is covered and every block and street. By preference, the meetings are held in the homes of the unconverted, and it is a normal experience for conversions to be reported before ever the evangelist arrives. In Scranton the city was divided into nine districts besides the suburbs and these districts were again sub-divided so that one had as many as eighty-four prayer groups. The total proportions of this kind of work are illustrated by the Pittsburgh figures: Between December 2 and December 26, 4,137 prayer meetings in private houses were held, having a combined attendance of 68,360 persons. 

---------------------

A Plan... (sit tight)

You are invited to a simple plan to mobilize evangelism in 2025, starting today! 

Please visit: 

The Gospel Awakening 

at

https://www.gospelawakening.church

Q1 - 

Will AI make pastors too lazy to work on sermon prep? 

“Then the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.” (2 Samuel 24:24)

Q2 - 

Can AI lead someone to Christ? 

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,” (Ephesians 1:13)

BILL'S EXPERIENCE

---------------------

WORKFLOW 1

EXPERT: Scripture Digger

PROMPT: Ephesians 1:13

EXPERT: Scripture Digger

PROMPT: Answer 12 please

APP: Greek/Hebrew Sermon Prep

PROMPT: Ephesians 1:13

YOUR TURN: 

LINK: https://meclabsai.com/share/7GRCtRk64whitvH

EXPERT: Sermon Upgrader

PROMPT: Please outline a talk for [high school students] based on the Heart Application. 

---------------------

BACK TO BILL

WORKFLOW 2: 

[Start New Chat (the + sign)] 

EXPERT: Sermon Upgrader

PROMPT: Help me outline 8 sermons on the book of Colossians. My series title is "War of the Worlds." My theme is that there is a spiritual battle in our world and our lives around the identity of Jesus and the role he plays in our lives. 

YOUR TURN:

LINK: https://meclabsai.com/share/VqWO37iHOzSYaqa

EXPERT: Marketing Professor

ATTACHMENT (paperclip OR copy/paste): Your Church's Value Proposition (pdf)

PROMPT: Here is my church's primary level value proposition. Please use it to write a product level value proposition for this series on Colossians called War of the Worlds.

EXPERT: Conversion Pro

PROMPT: I'd like to restate the series' value prop more like this: "Come to [Church Name] and get..."

Use a concrete metaphor for the object of the sentence, such as a map, an atlas, ammunition, a playbook, a light, a flashlight, or any other tangible, visually powerful thing. 

[Please continue in the same chat thead as above (Sermon Prep in Colossians)]

LINK:

https://meclabsai.com/share/0Gb1JZFlnCLkVzd

EXPERT: Email Specialist

PROMPT: This new series, War of the Worlds, begins in 4 weekends, on March 2, 2205. Write 3 emails to send over the next 3 weeks to my church, to generate excitement for this upcoming series.  

EXPERT: Copywriter - Facebook

PROMPT: Provide 12 Facebook posts to generate excitement for this upcoming series. 

EXPERT: Conversion Pro

PROMPT: Craft a series of 4 short announcements I can give at church for this series. Make them 3-5 sentences long. I want the series to be progressive, advancing in content each week, and culminating the Sunday before the series begins. Be value focused. On the last week, promise that everyone who attends week 1 gets a shiny new [relevant gift].

[Please continue in the same thread as above (Workflows for Communication)]

LINK: 

https://meclabsai.com/share/TxUfivLEYtvA2oM

EXPERT: Conversion Pro

PROMPT: I'd like to plan a weekend women's retreat on a theme from this series. Please suggest 5 themes for this retreat, and a product level value prop for each. Make sure a couple of them follow the theme of the [compass].

EXPERT: Conference Theme Developer

PROMPT: Help me think through option 3

EXPERT: Conference Planner

PROMPT: Our retreat begins after dinner on Friday and concludes with a testimony and communion service before lunch on Sunday. Our Main Sessions speaker will be Henrietta Mears. We would like to have 3 breakout sessions on Saturday, all at the same time. We'd also like free time on Saturday. Please plan the retreat. 

EXPERT: Conference Planner

PROMPT: Please put the schedule into a table.

LINK: https://meclabsai.com/share/2sl62A4XuizubRy

---------------------

YOUR TURN:

Ideas: 

1. Use either Conversion Pro, Marketing Professor, or Conference Planner to organize volunteers. Say how many volunteers you'll have and ask. 
2. ADVANCED: Create an AI Agent (Expert) for the ladies to create an 8 week plan to chart a new course in 1 focused area of their lives.