The Unity of Sales and Missions (265/365)

If any of you have bothered to follow the train of thought in the past posts I’ve made (thank you, by the way), you’ll know that I’ve talked in length about how I’ve jumped into a venture which involves, out of so many other things, the art of sales. And up until now, I must say that I’ve never thought I’d step into this line of business…

…But through all I’ve seen, through all that’s happened since this blipped on my radar, I seem to be coming to a realization: that Sales (or the concepts of Sales, anyway) is part of our overall growth – not only with career paths in mind, but just our growth as human beings.

Naval Ravikant mentions two things we need to learn to be unstoppable – first, we need to learn to build, and what I’m assuming is a clean 50% is our need to learn sales.

Sales is apparently that significant. Everything else I’ve exposed myself to before then (Technical Support, Quality Assurance, Transaction Coordination, Dispatching, etc) only makes up half of a skillset we would need in this age and season, to add and extricate maximum value from this world.

I have also witnessed that the prioritization of skills related to sales is something that we’re also being led to in ministry; I’m smelling scents of Sales and I’m observing concepts of selling – this, by way of hearing message after message on missions in the past weeks and months.

It’s as if we’re to read Revelation 12:11 and take in how the blood of the Lamb causes us to proclaim our testimony. The two come together, just as sales and building do, and just as we become unstoppable, we certainly overcome.

I thought I’d take some time to intentionally ‘review’ all we’ve been going through so far, in our intermittent training sessions… In preparation for tomorrow, where I hope (and don’t hope at the same time) we start actually calling people, and I start actually doing outbound sales.

To share again – I got into this job, endorsed by a childhood friend who says I had what it takes; and ‘it’ wasn’t technical know how, it wasn’t building anything… It wasn’t even sales! No, in his words, what he says I had was just maintaining a natural conversation.

And I saw the value of natural conversations, the deeper we went into the training. I realized that we make the most out of the small time we have, with the folks who graciously (if not bitterly), actually decide to listen to us – not by being pushy and selling our product, but by having a natural conversation.

In the past weeks I’ve learned how I could see sales like technical support – In conversations involving these lines of business, you probe. That is, you get into an exchange where you ask question after question, with the intention of reaching the minimum goals of (1) demonstrating genuine interest and (2) data gathering, on top of (3) delaying for time and (4) directing the flow of the conversation.

I’ve learned what it means to ‘chunk up’, ‘chunk down’, and to ‘chunk sideways’ – direct your questioning to scale up, to drill down, or to include other topics besides the one at hand; And when you’ve asked enough questions, you’re able to finally ‘label’ who you’re speaking to by way of giving a really quick recap of what you’ve gathered through your questioning.

Here’s an example of a conversation drawn out, with all I’ve recalled was discussed (chunking, etc.).

In the case of ministry, or just sharing the Gospel, I would go along the lines of asking the person what he or she is going through in these recent days.

Say they mention they’re under some sort of financial crisis. I’d have them elaborate by asking them if they’ve experienced greater losses of capital/income in the past (chunking up, the way I understand it); I could also ask them if they know of anyone who’s had the same experiences in the recent days (chunking sideways), or what they’re doing in the smaller scale to cope in the present (chunking down).

Then, ‘labelling’ would be to start off with an appropriate statement, (‘What I’ve gathered so far’, ‘From what we’ve discussed’, etc) before telling them a collective observation of the questions made and the answers given, confirming we’re on the same page.

Labelling is done before asking the next crucial question – What have you been doing about it so far? Concerning the aforementioned case, I’d ask another bout of questions, along the following: ‘Do you have any savings to tide you over?’, ‘Are you looking into establishing new sources of income?’, ‘Who else is aware of your plight, and who among them can help you?’…

…Right before giving them another summary – Answering the questions, (1) What’s going on?, and (2) What have you done so far?

When we have all this done, the prescribed next step is to mention what they call an anecdotal story – According to Gemini, in a sales perspective, this is a story (which is most likely a previous customer or client, or in this case just anyone you’re evangelizing to) where you mention a protagonist (another customer), a relevant conflict (in this case, a financial issue), a solution (which will eventually, ultimately point to Jesus), and a resolution (how it all played out). So based on all we’ve established in the conversation so far, I’d be inclined to share my own circumstances with money, handling money, losing money, recovery, and so on.

Now, as I’m writing this I imagine that we’d need to be on our feet, because while you may have ‘template’ stories or testimonies at the ready, you’re going to need to be genuine about it – that is, the story has to be both real and relevant to who you’re speaking to…

…because when all of this is done, and all of this is set properly, it’s still not a ‘pitch’ you’re going to share; Well, you’re just going to be talking about your product, or, in the case of ministry, you’re going to present and testify of the absolute Truth of Christ and His finished work.

And even if you’re pretty sure you have the attention of the fellow on the other line, you still aren’t selling – no, the ultimate goal is to make them want to buy.

We’re to keep doing this, again and again, going through cold and warm leads… all with the hopes of getting more and more people to buy, or, in the case of evangelizing, getting more and more people to seriously consider Christ and His finished work.

I’m writing all this right now and I’m thinking to myself, it all sounds so ideal, it all sounds so conceptual… Which explains why I’m scared and excited, as much as I am excited and scared to jump into this.

I’m challenged to actually enjoy the product I’m going to be presenting… just as, in these days, I’m challenging myself, and those who care to hear my voice every Sunday, to actually enjoy Christ. To intentionally get into His Word, and let the testimonies come out naturally, so the ‘Mission’ is fulfilled organically.

Sales, and evangelism; Pretty sure countless other ministers have made that connection. Still, it’s nice when you see it for yourself.

So, yeah, I’m afraid, and I’m excited at the same time. It has to be done. We have to start.

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On another note… I feel like we’re in a season where we’re simultaneously experiencing (1) being at wits’ end, running on fumes, on our last supplies, at the end of our rope, and (2) applying Wang Yangming’s concept of the ‘unity of knowledge and action’ (that is, proving the rubber by hitting the road).

We’re experiencing all this (3) while being brought into ventures that I have absolutely no experience in, and at the same time (4) witnessing profound, tangible accounts of the Christ being Faithful and True, by way of favor no less than supernatural in a couple of things, encouraging us that God is at work in ALL things.

I’m reminded of what I prayed for in the last quarter of 2024 – a foundation, a sort of ‘theme’ that would minister to me at least 40 years before the present, and 40 years from now; I’m reminded, in the current increase in pressure, the great temptation to buckle to the weight of fear and anxiety, in the trepidation and the dread; I’m reminded that these are precisely the times for us to – as we did 2 years ago – flow, trust God, and thank God.

In these times, more than ever, we’re to trust in the Lord, thanking Him for His goodness and greatness, His glory and His grace ever present even in the turbulence… The winds and waves may push us to and fro, but the Holy Spirit remains, and it’s by His power that we flow.

We’re at the edge of the end of the old passing away, while witnessing so many things become new, and while all that is going on, we’re not just experiencing emotional highs and mental relief that only goes as far as concept… We’re seeing God’s faithfulness and His being a firm Foundation with our senses, and, man, these are certainly some exciting times we’re in to say the least.

It’s ALL gotten me to be more prayerful, being more intentional with dedicating time to do nothing else but get intimate with the Lord, the best ways I know how – singing, crying out to Him, writing, reading, and, right – praying.

These are exciting times, where we’re being brought to truly trust in the Lord – not only in concept, but in real, actual life.

1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

Psalm 34:1-7

Father, this day, this week, the rest of my days; My past, my future, and my present are all in the palm of Your hands. You are my Guide, my Redemption, my Strength, my Wisdom.

Thank You, for through Christ, we have peace – peace that goes beyond all understanding. Thank You, Jesus, for the peace You provide is absolutely powerful – just as You sleep through the raging storms and the violent seas, so we live, move, and have our being, from a powerful position of rest.

Thank You, Jesus, because You make all things new; Your faithfulness has been seen, and we have been assured of Your hand in all things, even those we don’t see, even those things we aren’t aware of.

Thank You for keeping us attentive and sharp. Thank You for putting the right words in our mouth. Thank You for filling us with realizations of Your love, peace, patience, joy, faithfulness, kindness, goodness and self-control towards us… that we are able to bear these fruits, overflowing them from our own lips.

You are with us. You are for us, and not against us. Nothing can ever separate us from Your love. Everything reminds us of Your goodness, and we are constantly being made new, moving from glory to glory. Thank You so much for pouring out Your provision, Your protection, and Your presence, all for Your name’s sake.

Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Thank You so much, for everything!

All glory and honor to You, now and forever! Amen, Amen, and Halleluyah!

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