Authenticity in Branding

Authenticity is being true to your identity. As Christians, we belong to God, so living authentically means being true to God’s Word and who He created us to be. So how can we be authentic in our ministry branding?

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul tells us to present ourselves as unashamed workers approved by God. When we present our authentic selves, then we will have nothing to hide.

Authenticity is being true to your identity. As Christians, we belong to God, so living authentically means being true to God’s Word and who He created us to be. 

The first way we present our ministry to the world is through our brand. So in In today’s webinar, when Ereka said we put on a unique identity for our ministry, I checked out. How could I be authentic if I present myself differently in ministry than in the rest of my life?

I was, however, inspired to create a new logo for my expanding freelancing endeavors. I already know why I write and to whom, so I knew this would be quick. I took to Canva, eager to relax and whip up a new logo. I’d find something from Ereka’s presentation to write about after a short break. 

Two days and about 10 logos later, I realized Ereka was on to something. Join me through my learning process, and the birth of a new brand!

Authenticity in Branding Me

I write to point women to Jesus as the Prince of Peace. My blogging brand is “Victory Through Surrender: Victory over anxiety comes only through surrender to Jesus.” My logo is a teal teardrop cross. I started designing my freelancing logo by arranging elements of a lamp and a laptop with a cross on the screen to communicate that my words will always shine on Jesus. However, it was too busy and didn’t tell a perspective employer what I can do for them. 

Then I saw a photo that reflected my heart, my journey from the storms of anxiety to the Light that now guides my path. It was beautiful, but also conveyed the message that I may be a bit unstable! Be that as it may, a potential client doesn’t need to know my heart. They need to know my skills. 

This is when I understood Ereka’s message. Authenticity is being true to ourselves, but authenticity in branding is being true to our calling. 

If you were to brand yourself, what might that look like? Who did God create you to be?

Authenticity In Branding My Calling

We all have different roles in life—mother, wife, daughter, friend, colleague. Each role is a distinct part of us. I can be an authentic parent and an authentic spouse, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be exactly the same in all interactions with both my husband and my daughter. 

They each see me, but different shades of me, different colors. And so it is with our ministries. An authentic brand reflects our work, not our heart. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV

Ephesians 2:10 says that God created us in Christ Jesus for good works. Jesus lives in me, not my business. My ministry is identified by my brand, but I’m defined by the Cross.

So what is my new freelancing brand? Before I tell you, I’ll share how it finally came to life. I didn’t do it alone. It was created through a partnership and sisterhood for Jesus. Which brings me to another important piece of our identity as women and servants: we’re never alone, nor are we meant to serve alone. 

My new brand is totally me, just another side of me, another color. Designer Heather Hart and I would like you to meet Virtual Valerie Faith-Based Support: Helping You Point Others to Jesus. 

Does your brand need a little love? Ask Jesus how you can level up your brand today, whether it’s with graphics, texts, or other assets.

Next Steps

Watch the Webinar

Authentic In Branding with Ereka Thomas

Read The Partner Post

Each week, Karen Lindwall-Bourg and Valerie Riese each write a post for the Community and Education Webinar.

Join Us on Facebook!

For more encouragement, join us on Facebook:
NACWE Freedom Facebook Group
or
Karen Bourg Companies Facebook Group

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Valerie Riese

Valerie is a wife, mother, blogger, breast cancer survivor, and virtual assistant. After suffering years of debilitating anxiety, she learned that victory over anxiety comes only through surrender to Jesus. Valerie writes to point women to the Jesus as co-director of Candidly Christian, and as a freelance writer and editor. You can learn more about Valerie at ValerieRiese.com

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it  (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

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