Is there a "proper" way to advertise your business as "Christian"?
Moms View Message Board: The Kitchen Table (Debating Board): Is there a "proper" way to advertise your business as "Christian"?
Thought this might be controversial once people started replying so I posted here.
About my indoor playroom: I am clearly a Christian business and one of my goals is to reach other moms and share how my faith has helped me in surviving marriage and parenting during the preschool years (inparticularly).
I've often wondered about business that say "Christian owned" or the like. Are they saying that for real or just to get an edge over other companies w/ some of the customers.
Do you think it is proper to state yourself as a "Christian business"? I don't like the idea, but then on the other hand, I don't want to feel like I am shunning my faith and how I want to serve thru my business.
My brochures and postcards all will list "bible studies for women" as one of my features.
I am confused about what I see and hear in church and opening our faith to the public. I watch others so easily proclaim their faith to any passer bys. I am firm in my belief that God has put this business plan into my lap and that part of this business is to bring other mothers closer to Christ.
BUT, on the other hand: I really don't care for the "holly roller" type. I don't like stepping on others beliefs. I don't want to scare away mothers who want to stay away from "Christian" professed places.
I am just an ordinary mom with my personal faith and the desire to help others who are needing that support. I can't resite verses, and I don't like praying outloud....but I will during my playgroups and each morning and evening of my business hours.
Is it enough for my faith to show thru actions? Is it necessary to state that my business is operating thru my own personal beleifs in Christ and God? I don't really want someone to feel blind sighted when they walk into a play group and see I start w/ a prayer.
I would really appreciate input from those who have some wisdom and insight into this. You'd think I would have no problem in figuring this out.
A quick reply at the moment - it is, in my opinion, always "enough" to show faith through actions, and certainly isn't necessary to state your busness is operating through your own personal beliefs.
Honestly, I am very confused on exactly what type of business you are opening. As far as I know, we have nothing like this in our area, so I have never been to or heard about anything like your doing. So please don't take my questions as anything other than ignorance on the matter!!
What are you going to be doing that you need to proclaim any type of faith? Is this a place where you come at a certain time and leave at a certain time, like a preschool type of thing but the mom stays? Are you having bible study or meetings that you are opening with a prayer?
I guess I thought this was a place that would be open from say 8 to 5 and customers could come and go as they pleased. Make arrangements to meet friends there and just hang out with other moms and kids. I could see how just chatting with other moms could lead to discussions about faith and how your faith has gotten you through things, but that happens all the time. I don't know if that is something that needs to be advertised or not honestly. Maybe, but I really think it depends on exactly what is going on there.
I guess I am just confused. LOL
All I can say is you have to do what is right for yourself. If you advertise your playgroup that it is going to have bible studies, well that may turn some people off. I know many people who say they are Christians and never go to church or read the bible. I know other Christians who do go to church and read the bible. If a mother comes and is into the same belief you are, then you will have some good matches to your group. I "think" there are others who probably may not be into the whole christian thing and may find it to be a turn off. There may some people who just want to get out and socialize and I think if it is too preachy it will turn some off. For me, I am Jewish, so I would not be inclined to go to your business. Again, I am just one person. I have always enjoyed taking my kids to playgroups in their younger years, but they were never religious based.
In short, ditto Ginny. Your faith will show through your actions. If you are having bible studies there, then people who do not wish to attend them won't, correct?
I am also like Vicki and not clear on the purpose of your new business or what it will "look like".
I can honestly say that if you are going to have bible studies then I would think that is advertisement enough that you are Christian.
I personally agree with Jackie that I would not be inclined to go to your business because of a difference in beliefs, but I know I loved having playgroups when my kids were younger and they were never religious based.
I also agree with Ginny that it is always nice to see people who show their faith or beliefs through their actions, and not just talking about it. I tend to shy away from religious things because of my beliefs but I will do some things that I know there will be people of different beliefs there as long as I know that no one is going to try to "convert" me.
This s just my opinion and I am also only one person.
I'm home now, and have been thinking about your question. First, I applaud your thoughtfulness in wanting parents to know up front your intention to include lessons about God and faith and the Bible in your program. (And, being up front can save you some flack from parents who might say "we didn't know".)
I think if your brochures list Bible studies as part of your program, that is certainly a clue. You might want to add a few lines to your brochure and any flyers you put around. Something like "XXXX is a Christian, faith-based program. Prayer is part of our daily program. It is our goal to provide a positive experience for your children and for you. It is our hope to act out and demonstrate the importance of God's love in our daily lives."
You might also have a "typical day" outline ready to hand to visitors, and include "Prayer to start the day", "Prayer before meal" and "Prayer at the end of the day" in your "typical" program. You can also put up some pictures - I'm reminded of a nice picture I saw once of Jesus with the children, with the children being clearly of different races, and maybe stencil your mealtime prayer (especially if you use the nice, short, "God is great, God is good, thank you God for our food") and frame it and hang it on the wall in the eating area.
All in all, I see no reason why you can't run a Christian, faith-based daycare without blaring "I am a Christian!" all over the place, At the same time, it is nice to let people know up front that you to intend to bring faith into your program, by action, prayer and, where appropriate, study.
This is an indoor playroom. There will be open play where the do whatever they choose. There will also be organized playgroups for different age levels. The bible studies are yet another group meeting of moms who choose to participate. Along with that I will have a martial arts class that meets 2x a week for the moms while the babies play in the play area.
So any one can come in. And like those of you who are Jewish, I don't want to make someone feel uncomfortable in my place. But, I do want to share the things that have made a difference to me as a mom, one of which is my faith.
So my worries are surprising someone when they visit for the first time (but they may not even notice on their first visit) and on the other side remaining quiet about what really matters to me and I do feel the need to express these thoughts.
Does that make any sense?
It makes perfect sense to me, Dana, and as I said above, I think it is very thoughtful of you (and demonstrative of how you live out your faith) to not want people to have surprises that they might find uncomfortable.
As one who is upfront about my values and beliefs in most of my life, including at work, I don't have any problem with you expressing your values in your program, especially because it is "your" program - you are the one doing the work and spending the money to make it happen. While I don't think you have to blare your faith-based style and clearly you would not be comfortable doing so, I do think you can and should be true to yourself and to what is important to you.
As for "surprising" people when they visit for the first time, if they visit based on your brochure or flyers and you make sure the brochure and/or flyer include something about yours being a program that gives attention to God, faith and the Bible, they shouldn't be surprised. If they are, it is only because they didn't pay attention.
I'm assuming, based on what you have said, that you are not trying to proselytize people to become members of your church or to recruit. Even if you were, it is your program and if you are not being deceptive, I wouldn't have any problem with it. I might not bring my children to it (if I had children in the appropriate age group), based on my own views, but I would have no problem with your program.
As for the businesses who advertise loudly that they are Christian, or advertise in the Christian Yellow Pages, I am sure that many of them are like you - wanting to be upfront and having faith as an important part of their lives. Others, I suspect, want to avoid dealing with people who are not Christian or who do not share the values of the business owner. And I am sure that there are many who do such advertising because they think it will give them an edge in reaching certain potential customers. I know people who've had experiences with some advertisers in the Christian Yellow Pages who were less than Christian in the way they treated their customers. But that is the fault of the individual, not of Christian business owners and operators in general.
Ok, I think I understand a little more now.
If your going to have certain times that are dedicated to faith based activities, than yes, I think you need to be upfront about that in your information. Based on what you have said, it sounds like people can either participate in them or not. But I do think it would be a nice idea to have a time listed in your information that is for bible study, bible stories etc. That way, maybe someone who isn't of the same faith or belief or what ever, could still come to your place, maybe just not at the times you have the organized activities going on?
I also think it is great that you are living out your dream and incorporating your faith into that. I am sure that your faith is part of what lead you to do this in the first place!
Praying during your morning and evening hours sounds like a personal thing and seems like it should be kept that way....I mean, it sounds more like you're going to open and close in prayer, BUT, people might not even BE there then....it sounds more like you should arrive and pray on your own and then open up shop, and then close up and pray on your own. If you want to pray during certain set times, great, but otherwise people are going to be walking in or out of the door in the middle of a prayer which would be awkward. I would do as Ginny said...state you are a Christian based facility and welcome people of all faiths, etc. The bible studies are definitely a HUGE advertisement....I met a woman who was totally turned off by a drama club that met all different times of the week, and each day it met at a church. It totally freaked her out and she wanted nothing to do with it. The drama club actually had NOTHING to do with faith or God, so she left for no reason, but my point is that the mere fact that it met at a church was enough for this woman to conclude (erroneously) that it was somehow religious. So your bible studies will be a huge notice for them and they can choose accordingly.
But really, if you're catering to everyone, I do think your prayer ought to be at specific times that are known to the public. Then when you do it, I'd mention that you are getting ready for prayer, and anyone wishing can join you over 'here' so that those who aren't interested, can keep doing what they're doing. Then by your quiet, thoughtful respect for them, they might be drawn in by your testimony and witness. Let them see what it's like without pressure and fear. Let them see that Christians are normal people who joke and have fun and are far from perfect. Am I making any sense??
Basically, I think the opening and closing prayer makes no sense on a public level and should be your own private time with God. If it was like a MEETING where everyone was THERE and you began with prayer, that makes sense. But otherwise it doesn't, to me... Prayers thruout the day should be announced for those who wish to participate.
Oh, no, the opening and closing would be my own choice and clearly, I would be the only there. That is just something I am wanting to improve on myself in giving praise and thanks. I am so lack in that in general..esp reading the bible
And yes, all organized group activities have a special time of their own and the room is not avail for open play during those times.
The playgroups would have a time for prayer for those who wish to pray or be prayed for. That is just something of my own plan. During my play group AT A CHURCH, I never prayed first. However, once the group got going, I realized I was missing our praise and thankfulnes for the time we were able to share. It was difficult for me to start our groups in prayer simply because I feel so uncomfortable praying outloud. But I did think it was important. This is one of the reasons I want to make sure I make that effort to be thankful and not just in my own private thoughts now having my own place. I just felt like I was leaving something important out.
Thank you for letting me "think outload" my inner personal thoughts and get constructive feedback. It has been so helpful to have you all tell me how my thoughts impacted you.
I'll be posting an update soon on the general board. Things are moving but at a hault for the moment as I wait for things to happen from other areas. It is very scary waiting for the building codes and other dept codes to do their thing and give me the go ahead.
Once I get the go ahead from the county, I will post some pictures and some links to other places similar to mine in my area. I just don't want search engines to pick up words, phrases and other links until I am official.
I would state it is a "faith-based" curriculum or program, but not Christian owned. As a non-Christian, I would want to know that religion is a large part of your program, but would feel put off by "Christian owned", as it seems like it's focusing more on who you are, and not what you're offering. JMHO!!
I don't like the "Christian owned" phrasing. Ginny writes it very well in one of her posts. I would rather read "faith based curriculum" or "prayer/Bible study is part of our day."
I have a friend who just puts a little fish in his advertisements/cards.
I am a fairly young Christian. And in the early part of my Christian life, I sought out "Christian owned" places to deal with. Some of those left a less than desirable taste in my mouth. There were politicians that ran recently for office and listed "Christian and member of XXX church(my church)". And I've never seen the man in the building. His father is a deacon. But I don't think I've ever seen the politician in the building.
I like the phrasing that tells me what you will be doing and what you will be studying. Then conduct your business with the values that you hold high. Word will get out and that is sometimes your best advertisement.
I totally agree our faith should be shown through actions. If this is something you feel very strongly that you need to advertise a simple "Christian Fish" ( I have no idea how to spell the real word) near the address and phone number would work. Those that know what that means and are seeking out a Christian location will get it and it won't offend others. Good Luck.
I thought of doing the fish sign as well. Just wasn't sure if I should or not. I feel so much better having read all your responses. I felt silly posting but really needed to hear feedback. It was so nice that you ladies understood what I was trying to say. What a relief 
As I mentioned above, I'll keep you posted when things start moving again.
Dana, I agree with the Fish symbol, I see it often in advertising, it's not offensive but for those that do business selectively with Christian owned businesses will know the symbol. I have also seen a simple bible verse quoted on marketing materials, so finding a verse that fits in with your mission would be a simple thing to do as well.
I know it's been a few days since anyone posted so I hope you don't mind my input ;). I am a Christian but I really don't go to businesses that advertise themselves as "Christian" other than Christian Book stores. There used to be a Body Shop I passed on my way home from work that advertised themselves as the "Sonshine Body Shop". All I kept thinking was that they were using their faith to make their business prosper. I'm not saying that that was what their intention was and I KNOW that is not your intention so please don't be angry with me for saying so; but that was my impression of their business and if I felt that way being a Christian, then I wonder what non-Christians would think. I feel that if you want to honor God in your business, there are ways to do that without advertising it. I can tell you that non-Christian people will avoid your business if you make it obvious that it is a Christian business. They will assume that Christian people are your preferred clientele and not even bother. Also, I'm not sure having Bible studies and prayer are a good idea. I would have a book there where people can sign up to be on your mailing list and what you could do is send out a letter saying: "For those moms who want to engage in a group setting, I am open to ideas of planned activities for moms. Here are some of my ideas; and I would love to hear feedback from you all as well. Quilting Bee, Knitting club, Book club, Bible Study, Prayer meeting, Scrapbooking club, Decorative stamping. Please know that if you do not wish to involve yourself in an activity, that is fine. After all, it is your time to spend."
If possible, have a separate room with a view for those things so that the moms who want to keep to themselves are not disturbed by what they want to do.
You could also cater to Mom's clubs and offer a discount day for the group. Give them the opportunity to invite a guest speaker.
There may be times when a mom comes to you with a personal problem. Take time at the end of the day to pray for her but keep that to youself unless God opens the door for you to share your faith with that person. Always make sure it is God leading and not our over-willingness lead people to Christ. I hope that doesn't sound odd that I put it that way, it's just that I have known Christians to really turn people off by being overly charismatic about their faith. Carry yourself with a quiet confidence, balance, honesty, integrity and love for ALL people. Christ's love will shine through you for sure that way. If you have a group of women engaged in Christian conversation while other women are not involving themselves, don't jump into the conversation. Quietly thank God for all the people there including the non-believers who may be listening but pretending not to. And finally, each morning whether you feel like it or not, determine to have a servant's heart. That is what we're here for right?
I hope I haven't overstepped my boundaries with my advice. I want you to know that I am so excited for you. I think it is a great idea for a business.
One more thing - I can't stand overly pious Christian women who purse their lips when the conversation turns to the lighter side of life. Like when, for instance, "farts" is the topic of choice among the women, it is a real turnoff when someone is sitting there looking like they are sucking on a lemon. That may not be the best example but I'm just saying don't be afraid to laugh and have fun.
Good Luck, Sweetie. (((hugs)))
I consider myself a Christian.
I would likely not go to a place of business, such as yours, if it was widely advertised as Christian. Why? Because as a homeschooler I have attended many groups that are for mom's and kids to get together. Those that were advertised as a religious group always ended up being over-the-top-in-your-face religious. It made myself and my children uncomfortable. I will go to church for that, not to a social group. I am NOT saying you will be over-the-top. I am saying that it is possible that people like me (who have experienced the over zealous ones) may be discouraged from going.
The fish symbol would not bother me. Advertising prayer, etc would bother me.
Perhaps it would be better to wait and see what cliental you draw in first before limiting the possibilities.
I hope I am coming across right. I do not want to offend you!
Another idea, I hope you don't mind. Invest in a few magazine subscriptions like People, Taste of Home, Do it Yourself, etc.... I'm not sure, but it could be a tax write-off.
Hand out papers to everyone new regarding your business outline. For instance:
You are welcome to bring your own reading material but some reading material will be provided.
That way, if your write-offs are questioned, you have that outline on file.
No offense taken by the new posters. I feel the exact same way, which is why I posted my question. I don't want to be making non Christian feel like they are not welcome in my business. it is absolutely open to all moms.
I do still plan on offering the bible studies for women. But as with all scheduled groups, the playroom is not open for open play during these groups. It's like your own reserved play time.
Everyone's input has been very helpful in leading me in a direction I will feel comfortable with.
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