The last year has found me diving heavily into marketing, public relations, writing, and working with brands and companies. When I saw the title of this book, I was intrigued. It made me ask myself, “What if Jesus could be marketed or branded, especially in today’s times when so many brand/consumer relationships are being forged via social media?” Think about that for a second….

Honestly, I could NOT put this book down. You can ask my husband. He walked in one day to see me standing over the stove, stirring a pot of noodles, book in hand, reading away. Branded, by Tim Sinclair, is written from the perspective of a very experienced marketer who has worked with big-name brands and knows what it takes to help a company or brand succeed. He really gets down to the nitty gritty of why people are turning away from Jesus, away from true Christianity….he will step on your toes in this book, let me tell you. He’s just not afraid to go there, and I think that’s one reason I couldn’t stop reading.

Tim calls on all Christians to break tradition, to step out of their comfort zones, and to look at their Saviour through a new, different kind of lens. There are things that just aren’t working to further the Gospel, and he brings those things to the table. Some things might include promising those who come to Christ that they will be healthy and wealthy the rest of their lives; judging another/promoting intolerance before ever looking at one’s own heart (he gives examples of the life of Jesus and the people that Jesus “hung out with”); how simply handing out tracts or keeping with traditional methods of evangelism just isn’t reaching the hearts of people, etc. He talks about how there are so many religions and types of spirituality, that it’s a bit like going to the cereal aisle. People might stand there scratching their heads, wondering what the heck they should pick out and take home. He makes so many great points that I wish I could remember every single one and take the time to share them here….but you’ll just have to read the book.

Tim doesn’t just show what is wrong with today’s evangelism, though; he gives examples of big-name companies with outstanding marketing strategies, as well as suggestions and ideas for how Christians can shake it up in their own communities and churches. Think about Apple. Think about not just creating customers for life but true followers who love the brand (in this case, Jesus) and want to share that brand (Jesus) with everyone they know. Thus enters the world of social media (at least in my thinking as a blogger). The last chapter is full of What Ifs….things we can effectively do to share our Saviour in real life with our friends, family, neighbors, etc.

I can’t recommend this book enough; in fact, I think every Christian should have a copy, it is that good. You can purchase Branded for $8.81 on Amazon. Be sure to Follow @timjsinclair on Twitter and Like Tim Sinclair on Facebook.

About Tim Sinclair:

Tim Sinclair is a radio personality on one of the top Christian morning shows in the country, Mornings with Tim and Pam. For over a decade, he has been helping radio stations and various other businesses creatively and effectively market themselves. His award-winning productions have been heard on more than 2,000 radio stations worldwide and recent clients include McDonald’s, Word Records, Moody Press, and the country’s most-listened to Christian nonprofit radio station KSBJ/Houston. Tim has written for CCM Magazine and the Huntsville Times. For more about Tim, please visit his website, http://www.tim-sinclair.com.

Kregel Publications is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com Giveaway, and you can enter by sending a tweet (using the hashtag #litfuse) about Branded or sharing on Facebook. If you tweet be sure to link to @litfuse, and they’ll have you entered. If you Facebook, you can send your status link to info@litfusegroup.com.

Be sure to check out Litfuse to read more reviews of this book.

(Disclosure: I received this book, free of charge, from Litfuse, for the purposes of this review. All views/opinions remain solely my own.)