Shawn Raloff

Shawn Raloff Clearview Community Church

"We are so confident that our worship service will be the best hour of your week," says Pastor Shawn Raloff, "that we are willing to pay for your gas to get here and back. ...

"During hard times church is the first place we need to be," Pastor Shawn explains, "we want people to know that the economy may rise and fall, but God's love remains the same."

Raloff tells me it's a work in progress, but it's an interesting idea.

Shawn RaloffClearview Community Church - Sioux City, IA » Shawn Raloff
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Shawn Raloff
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Shawn Raloff is the founding Pastor of Clearview Community Church and part owner of Side 2 Inc.He is the author of many articles, enjoys designing websites and loves to spend time with his wife Jennie and their 4 kids: Daniel, Eli, Noah and Miriam.

Shawn spent 6 years in Portland, OR and 2 years in Colfax, WA as a Youth Pastor before coming to Sioux City to start Clearview Community Church.

Shawn Raloff 3101 Virginia St. Sioux City IA 51104 712-277-2200 pastor@clearviewcommunity.com

Clearview Community reaches out and draws people in. Inset: Pastor Shawn Raloff.

A promotional background (this young bivocational pastor owns an Internet advertising consulting firm) and a passion to succeed (to see the church reach the masses for Christ) have equipped and empowered Shawn Raloff to plant and grow Clearview Community (Sioux City, IA).

"We should put $10,000 worth of advertising into every plant."Used effectively and creatively, he says, these dollars can inform and invite a community to church.

Raloff purchases radio stations' excess inventory ("leftover" on-air advertising time) , a cheaper buy, he says, with play time typically on country/western and conservative news/talk stations.Raloff runs a 30-second inspirational message that asks a question and points listeners to Christ and Clearview.

Mailers, according to Raloff, are another powerful tool to bring in the lost."A church that spends $3,000 every holiday , to print and mail 10,000 fliers , can expect 100 responses," he says, "calling or attending services, or maybe just thinking a positive thought about church."

One key to successful promotion is having the right "hook," Raloff adds.For example, last Easter, the church held a well-publicized egg hunt that included a special egg containing a ticket for a free bicycle.Service attendance increased, and parents worshiped while children hunted eggs.

Ads in a local shoppers guide have pulled in some 60 visitors at a time (though Raloff says a mass mailing might attract as many as 200).

But the buck doesn't stop with promotion: follow-up is key.Raloff, members and leaders at Clearview telephone, write notes and visit so everyone will feel connected.

Pastor Shawn Raloff lists the characteristics of the sheep lifestyle.