Reading, “Branded” by Tim Sinclair, I had really mixed feelings about attributing sharing the Gospel on the same level as marketing, but this is a book, that like all books, have to read with discretion and in context of what exactly is trying to be reached overall and taking care too, not to be too picky to see the context of the book. It is easy for someone to think, what does marketing have to do with sharing the Gospel and bring up with it, negative connotations of what marketing would imply.
With,”Branded”, Tim Sinclair shares with wit and observations of ways sharing one’s faith to help better connect with many, in today’s world, who may not be speaking the same language that is being taught in our churches.
On page 95 of “Branded”, Tim relates an experience he had on the road and goes, “He was creating a first impression without every looking me in the eye. He was pushing me away before I had the chance to get close. From hundreds of feet away, it was clear that his interests, values and personality couldn’t be more different from mine“.
Tim continue with later on,”Again, its not about changing our message. It’s about changing the method with which we share it”.
This is not an easy book to read; It will take people out of their comfort zone and that is sometimes a good thing and a necessary thing.
In the last chapter, “What If”; After the shock, of wait, but this isn’t what I’m used to hearing passes, Tim, offers some down to earth, biblical based reasons that really challenges the follower of Christ, to re-evaluate how they are thinking and approaching sharing the Gospel to others.
The book doesn’t advocate, not sharing the Gospel, but rather, take a careful look of how the Gospel is being shared.
Tim offers this challenging look on page 39, “…But what happens when we step out into the real world, where situations aren’t so cut-and-dried”?
I like “Branded” because its’ both a hard, “ouch” book to read and also a, “hey, this isn’t a watering down but rather, look how are we approaching look at things”.
My intial thought was..whoa whoa…lukewarmness to is this just over the fence, cold, but then realize, its a witty, but honest and hey, real life look of how are we sharing His word…sometimes, its just a simple, honest, “Hey I’m just there” approach”…a non-one size fits all, but its not about , “Fine whatever” approach either.
Tim hits the issue on the head when he shares on page, 35,”Applying faith to this equation then would indicate that for non-Christians to value Jesus, they need to see that He can meet their needs and they need a favorable perception of Him. They need both head knowledge and heart feeling. They need information and inspiration. One side without the other is useless. Or in this case, worthless“.
This brought me to mind,
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (1 Peter 3:15, New King James Version)
“Branded” is a book that will gently, though firmly and lovingly, though at times, it may not feel like that, show, how in today’s multimedia, social media, consumer based, marketing based, ad-driven world, that we can share the Gospel without changing the message and still hold on to His Word.
Christian Living: 
© 2011, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: This post contains my personal opinions and does not reflect the opinion of any organization I am/was associated with or affiliated to.The product I have reviewed was/is based on my honest opinion and was not influenced or edited by anyone and was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for my honest opinion.
What happens on Sunflower Faith?
Twitter: spporter
says:
Hi Sunflower,
Great review of the book. I have to admit I’m still a little hesitant on going too far on with branding the Gospel. I’ve heard a lot of people compare evangelism to trying to “sell Jesus” and they’re not interested in buying.
Certainly we ought to use the tools available to us, but we don’t need to market Jesus or make Him relevant. In the end, it’s us who need to be relevant to Him not the other way around.
Anyway, I did enjoy your review of the book and might pick it up sometime for perusal. You have a new follower.
My blog is Manifest Blog if you’re interested.
stephen(Quote) (Reply)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@stephen: Great point about “branding the Gospel”.
When I read the book, it really had me hesitating and going through it with a critical state of mind. Marketing is not really a “popular” or “friendly” term to think of, lol.
The book is unique in its approach and I think, like any books, there are good points and bad points and anything should be read with discretion.
For me…marketing implies, selling as well, but I think that’s what makes the title unique in that it really does, make one stop and go, “Wait a minute…” LOL. but I think because of the title, it also challenges the reader to look at how they approach sharing the Gospel.
It was challenging to read, because there were just many times, I found myself having to stop, think “wait a minute”, go back, re-read, think about it and the book does, do a great job there, of really, slowing the reader down and thinking…how are we sharing Christ and as you wonderfully pointed out, there are many who do compare evangelism to “trying to sell Jesus” and that can cause really people to not want to hear the Gospel.
“Branding” does help provoke discussion and I actually enjoy that about the book and in the latter part of the book, there are some very good thought provoking questions that as followers, one probably should ask themselves.
We live in an amazing world today of social media, technology and just different way of sharing information and it does raise a very good question of how are we utilizing all those different form of media and communication.
Sunflower Faith(Quote) (Reply)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0