Selling Swimsuits in the Arctic: Seven Simple Keys to Growing Churches

By Adam Hamilton

Book Overview

The pastor of one of today's most dynamic churches illumines the basic principles of attracting the unchurched to the Christian message.Using the story of Bob, a successful swimsuit salesman whose business takes a turn for the worse when he moves to Alaska, Adam Hamilton reminds us that all of life is about sales. Whether we are in a job interview, a candidates' debate, or a classroom, we are selling something: our skills, our convictions, our selves. The same is true of presenting the gospel to the unchurched. In leading a friend to a saving relationship with Christ, in inviting them to join us at church, we are presenting them with something that we believe they need, that will make all the difference in their life. Yet if we don't understand what we are presenting, who we are presenting it to, if we don't believe in the message we are offering, or if we don't believe that people need that message more than anything else, then we will not be faithful witnesses to it. In short, says Hamilton, if we don't understand some of the most basic principles that all successful salespersons know, then we will not succeed in presenting the message of Christ to those who most need to hear it. By telling the humorous and quirky story of Bob trying to sell swimsuits in the Arctic, Hamilton explains the fundamental concepts of sales that also apply in how we spread the gospel message. Drawing on his experience as the leader of one of the country's fastest-growing churches, he offers pastors and other Christian leaders solid, simple guidance on how to share the faith, and grow one's congregation.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0687343844
• ISBN13: 9780687343843
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Length: 74 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Great discussion starter

I used this book for conducting a Sunday School class over the last several weeks. Each chapter lends itself very well stimulating discussion and sharing of ideas.

Selling Swimsuits In The Artic

This was a great book. The advise was easy to understand, the models were entertaining, the asides about the authors experience in other churches was relavent. I asked our pastor to use this book for a study for the entire staff. I have ordered another copy for my personal reference. This is a useful guide!

useful intro to church marketinig

Adam Hamilton recognizes that churches are often resistant to marketing techniques for fear of somehow compromising the Gospel. Yet he writes that marketing is simply effective evangelism. He shows that some basic techniques of marketing are essential to being a growing church in a postmodern context. He sets his effort within the context of a swimsuit salesman named Bob who moves to Barrow, Alaska with his new wife. Through Bob's efforts to sell swimsuits in the Arctic he shows basic principles necessary to market the church effectively today. A short 30-45 minute read that's fun. Would be a useful study group tool for church councils and evangelism teams

The Secret to Church Relevance and Growth

Adam Hamilton puts together the secret to creating a church that grows because it serves the needs of its neighbors. Church administrators can sometimes be averse to using sales techniques to promote their programs, but Hamilton shows how lessons from the business world can help churches tailor their offerings to better attract and serve its neighbors. Although the allegory of Bob the Salesman is predictable and somewhat two-dimensional, the life lessons contained in this volume remains valuable and timeless.

Helpful in the Business World Too!

I just started working in sales a couple of months ago, and even though this book is aimed at churches and ministies it was extremely helpful to me from a professional standpoint! Sure it's very basic, but like he says in the book... we all need to be reminded of the basics once in a while. would also recommend for growing churches or churches that need to grow! Just great!