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Greg Smith

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Learning from Trader Joe’s (#1436)

2014/06/03 By Greg

Becca MessmanBecca Messman, associate pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church (Herndon, VA), recently wrote about how the church could learn from her favorite grocery store: Trader Joe’s.  Her piece, published in the Presbyterian Outlook, considers how Presbyterians would do well to study this “quirky, small-by-design chain of grocery stores that is clearly not trying to be any of its competitors.”  Her suggestions, of course, transcend her denominational affiliation.

Messman recommends that churches learn the following lessons from Trader Joe’s, including:

  • be good at being small;
  • plan for regular innovation and seasonal changes; and
  • leverage creative advertising that is authentic to the business or congregational culture.

So What?

Small churches often act like they are larger than they really are. Messman offers an important reminder that small businesses and small churches excel when they know and act like what they are rather than  pretending to be or taking aspirational actions toward becoming mega-stores or mega-churches.  Her other recommendations support this initial finding by offering specific ways in which to share the business or church message.

  • What are the top three reasons you would be interested in being a part of a smaller church?
  • Besides Trader Joe’s are there any small stores you shop at regularly? If so, what is the primary reason you keep going back?

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Greg Smith

Greg is a follower of the Way of Jesus who strives to make the world a better place for all people. Currently, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of White Rock Center of Hope and as Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church. He has served ten congregations, taught religion to undergraduates for eight years, and helped three organizations provide quality healthcare to underserved populations. (Read More)

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