advertising

[raymond guterman]

I am aware that the best way that new people come into our churches in when our members invite their neighbors, friends, family, etc. However, with the loss of nearly 60,00 active members last year, I would like to see our denomination consider a national advertising
campaign, as well as produce ads that local churches can use in newspapers, etc. Our Methodist friends seem to do this well. I know it's expensive, but so is the thought of the extinction of the pcusa by 2038.
raymond guterman
ocala, fl.

[Deborah Bruce]

The ELCA has just released a new media campaign--"God's Work. Our Hands." Check it out: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Org...

[Geoffrey McLean]

Our presbytery runs Radio ads on the major news station here in the DC metro area. It's PCUSA produced with a personalization directing folks to the presbytery website where they can find the specifics on congregations in their area.

The only responce to this ad that I have had was by a very upset Catholic who thought we were insulting their practices. Our congregation didn't have anyone come in to the congregation from it.

We live in an culture that is saturated with ads and the fact of the matter is that we can't afford to do it right. We can't compete with Mulit-national companies who are trying to get peoples attention. It's time that we stop looking for the silver bullet and realize that Jesus' message was spread by word of mouth, just as all of the current research says it happens today. Ministers and members need to get over their fear and get to the work of "proclaiming the Gospel for the salvation of humankind."

[Donna R. Hoppestad]

I think that you are right, Geoffrey, about the fact that we don't have the money to do the advertising right. In the Presbytery of East Tennessee, we continue to run billboards (once per quarter for 30 days total), but the most important thing we do is work with our congregations on how to invite, how to welcome, and HOW TO FOLLOW UP on our friends and neighbors.

I just read that the Methodist church is launching a $20 million advertising campaign, but the most important thing they are doing is training their congregations on these very things. They have hired consultants to make sure that their people are ready for what their advertising might accomplish. Why can't we do that part?

Over the last year and a half, we have developed several workshops and seminars designed to help our churches get out of their "frozen" shell. I can share - just get in touch!

[Norma Wible]

Gee, this discussion sounds a little like some of those that we had down at the Big Tent Event, where one of the conferences was on Evangelism and Church Growth.
I had a chance to meet Donna in person, so I felt truly blessed--- what a bundle of energy East Tennessee has!
She hit the nail on the head, though with her clause: but the most important thing we do is work with our congregations on how to invite, how to welcome, and HOW TO FOLLOW UP on our friends and neighbors.
It's one reason I wanted to bring a friend down to Big Tent. I got fired up at a Transformation conference in NYC, and our church has been going through that process. We're revitalized and reaching out more. We don't know "exactly" where we're headed, but we know that God does, and it's God's will that matters.