Jesus is a purple cow June 7, 2009

At the risk of being crass, I want to talk about marketing and Christianity. I come from an advertising background so this concept is intriguing to me. In Seth Godin’s book, Purple Cow, he talks about the importance of making a remarkable product NOT asking “how do I get people to talk about my product.” It’s a marketing question. The ultimate marketing question: How does that fit with faith? Is the demonstration of my faith remarkable?

Jesus is the ultimate product. If people experience Him — His rhythms and ways — they can’t stop talking about Him. Getting people to talk about Him is not enough. The pharisees and saducees of Jesus’ day had intellectual ascent to a Messiah King of the Jews, but because He came “packaged differently” than they expected, they shopped elsewhere. They needed experience.

Paul, on the other hand (the “jew among jews,” persecuter of all who followed the Jesus way), was literally knocked off his ass (o.k., as in “donkey,” but it is funny!) by the blinding light of reality…an encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. His knowledge was mowed over by his experience. This spiritual take-down changed the course of his life as well as the western world.

Jesus didn’t ride into Jerusalem on a purple cow, but he might as well have. Love Him or hate Him, once encountered He is the purple cow that people can’t quit talking about. If I am representing him well through a lifestyle of love and serving, a bunch of words aren’t even necessary. People will start asking questions. People will find The answer. 

Face it: Jesus is different. Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable. Based on the principles of Purple Cow, I’d say the people of Christ need to take a serious look at the Truth our lives tell. I want to be compelling for the Cause. Like any other offer out there, if our lives don’t stand out we may as well be invisible. The claims of Christ are remarkable…shouldn’t we be? I think it’s time we all get off our religious high horses and start riding purple cows!

Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:13-16 The Message

Want an adventure? Look at your life. Is Jesus seen for what He is through it? Ask Him to break the mold. Don’t look for ways to re-package Him so people talk about the external, live a life that allows others to experience His Truth and how it has changed you. Give them a look at the “purple cow” of Christ and they’ll never forget the experience.

(P.S. If you enjoy creative thinking, especially as it pertains to marketing/technology/social networking, you will enjoy Seth’s blog).