For those of you who have watched Shark Tank on TV, you know that the investors often talk about the acquisition cost of each new customer. Many times, it's the sole reason why they decide against investing in a new product. It will just cost too much to educate people on why they need it.
Christianity is actually a new product for most people under the age of 40. Yes, people need it, but it's so different from what they've (unsuccessfully) used to try and solve their problems, that they don't naturally look in the direction of the cross. And so we end up having to spend a lot of resources just to get them to look. A lot more than in the past. These days, more so than money, volunteers' time is in precious short supply. Our churches try out an amazing variety of ministries designed to attract people's attention, so we can meet their spiritual needs. But as we move further into the 21st century, fewer and fewer of these ministries prove to be effective.
What's a reasonable acquisition-cost-per-soul? Jesus would look back at the cross and say, "To the point of death." And many missionaries have paid that price. For the rest of us, it never gets that serious...for now, at least. And even though the worth of each soul is beyond value, there are only so many dollars and hours available to spend. What can give us a good return on the investment? Is it building one-one-one relationships, which may take years of cultivation to see fruit, if ever? Is it social media advertising? Fervent prayer? All of the above?
In the area of men's ministries, what's working for you?
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