Book Review: Branded by Tim Sinclair

About the Book: The church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Apple sells 26 iPads every minute. What is it that makes Apple so exciting and Jesus so boring? What is it that compels someone to bring their iPod everywhere and their Bible nowhere? In a word: marketing. Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy salespeople-people who are intimidated and embarrassed by the word "evangelism" and who show more enthusiasm for their gadgets than their God.

What would life look like if we stopped mass-marketing Jesus and started marketing our faith like Nike and Apple market their products--sharing relationally, from person to person? Using examples from these and other successful companies, author Tim Sinclair challenges Christians to throw out their casual attitudes toward faith and sign on for a marketing campaign for the Savior.

Written with the wit and wisdom of an experienced marketer, Branded peels away the feelings of fear and encourages readers how to share their faith in ways that are honest, authentic, and, most importantly, effective.

My Thoughts: This book was challenging and convicting. Though often it was simply a reminder of things Christians ought to know already, there's nothing wrong with a good reminder now and again, especially on a topic of such vital importance.

A true Christian will not want to keep their faith to themselves. When you truly believe in something, you want to share that with those around you - whether it's the latest technological gadget, a book or your faith. Obviously those are all very different things, but the principal is the same.

It can, however, be difficult to "market" Jesus to a world that doesn't think there's a need for Him.

And, unfortunately, often the worst deterrent to Christianity is Christians themselves. Either people are claiming a title they don't actually believe, or they've portrayed Christianity as a magic pill to solve all your problems. Jesus is not a genie in a bottle, and claiming He is is a lie. We're over-promising and under-delivering.

It's true that it's impossible to over-promise what God can do. But it definitely possible to over-promise what God will do.

From the book....
God is a healing God. But that doesn't mean He's going to heal you.

God is a giving God. But that doesn't mean He's going to pad your bank account.

God is a loving God. But that doesn't mean He's going to take away all your problems....

Giving people the impression that God will heal you, make you rich, or make your life easier when you become a Christian isn't just over-promising, it's lying. And it's a lie with eternal implications....

God doesn't promise health and wealth. Christians do.

We're lying. And our lies aren't attracting people to Christ; they're pushing people away.

As Christians, we are supposed to be known and recognized by our love. And we need to remember that when we are open, honest, real and raw - we're authentic, believable and relatable.


Thank you to Stephanie and Amy from Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.