Contacts

I heard a statistic last week that in order to really be in touch with your community you needed to make 1200-1500 contacts in the community (not church, although if I had 1200 contacts in our church that would be great).

Today I picked up another two. Bill Gillette is a retired West Point graduate and currently works for Waddell and Reed financial planners. Additionally, I met Don Rosenshine. He works for a mortgage brokership out of Annapolis, specifically with reverse mortgages.

I got a call from Bill two weeks ago. He was at an NRG networking meeting and got my card from someone in the group that I happened into in Severna Park. He asked for a lunch appointment and I was happy to oblige. We went to what used to be the Officers Club on Ft. Meade. To Bill's chagrin the commanders had not done their job and it is now available to anyone who comes in. But they serve a daily buffet lunch, and it was a nice place for the luncheon we had.

These two guys were great company sharing important information about their services and products. Bill was what Don called a "marketer" while he believed himself to be a "salesman". The difference being that Don sells the product, but Bill can initiate relationships. Something to learn on both sides there.

The networking continued to make me think about the interface between church and business. What relationship can there be, and how can we reach people without reaching them where they are. There seems to be a taboo in this area, but I think there might be an important element of Church ministry we're missing. More on that later.

For now, if you're looking for information regarding reverse mortgages call Don Roseshine at 410.269.1701 or e-mail donrosenshine@hotmail.com . For Financial Planning with a conservative and successful company like Waddell and Reed call Bill Gillette 410.674.2801.

--Ben