This past week, we asked you to vote on which billboard method you thought was most effective. The big winner this week was that billboards are for truckers. 30% of you didn’t like the idea of billboards for churches. Judging from the poll and our comments on previous billboard-related posts, that’s not surprising.
27% of you are the shock-and-awe type. You like church billboards to cause whiplash and 16-car pile ups (Exaggeration alert, please no hate mail) so people will come to see what all the fuss is about.
Of respondents, 22% believe that church billboards ought to be clever. Not necessarily messages from Satan, but clever in some way. 15% believe that saying that you’re relevant will make people believe you really are and that they should head on over to your campus to see how their life will change. A meager 6% of you like the heartwarming campaigns. Or negatively, a massive 94% of you have hearts that don’t like to be warmed.
What other clever campaigns have you seen? Do you think there’s an ethical issue with the church using billboards? Is it a waste of money? Discuss what you think in the comments.
This week, we ask how your church uses the Internet. Remember, you don’t have to be the tech administrator for your church to answer, just let us know how you guys reach out across the information super highway. So head a few inches to your right and tell us what you think.
CyanFox
April 11, 2007
Is using billboards wrong? That’s almost like saying we can’t use powerpoints simply because it’s “for business presentations only!” While it is indeed “for truckers only,” so were the tax collectors and prostitutes in Jesus’ time – they shouldn’t be in His company! But they were, weren’t they?
I think we shouldn’t miss out the “why-we-do-this” on the what-we-do” list. While it is true that a Machiavellian approach in ministry is not always profitable, we should also consider Paul’s attitude: to be anyone for everyone “in order to preach Christ to them.” That includes the truckers.
Now, making christian ads on a porn magazine – that’s controversial…
Steve
April 11, 2007
Hey Josh, good question!
Do you think there’s an ethical issue with the church using billboards?
A great question. Infact its the one I chose for my Christian Ethics Essay question. Which is due in 4 weeks!
Would love to know what you all think! Some practical input is would be greatly received (and referenced)
Post a comment pllllleeeaassse!
Ryan
April 11, 2007
I found this case study extremely interesting this week as it showed a church growing 277% with a billboard as part of their strategy.
In terms of ethics…what’s the debate? Media is the Mars Hill of today…the thoughts and minds of people are shaped by it. Why shouldn’t Jesus be there too?
Steve
April 11, 2007
Thanks Ryan,
Love your website!
Josh
April 11, 2007
Steve,
No way. I don’t think there’s an ethical issue with billboards.
I do, however, think there’s a cultural issue with billboards. A billboard wouldn’t work for a community in Montana who is especially sensitive to billboards as visual pollution.
It would work especially well for an area between a large city and suburbia where people see it often (so long as its designed appropriately).
I think that in some cases, not using billboards could be an ethical issue.
CyanFox
April 12, 2007
Lol, nice one Josh!
True, I think what we really should be considering is whether the church is still culturally AND socially relevant.
And I agree with Josh in that there are instances when NOt using billboards when you can can be wrong. In fact, here in Metro Manila, Philippines, there is a simple billboard that always stood out whenever you’re travelling the main route of EDSA Avenue – and the sign simply states “Jesus Saves!”
At first it might seem to be a worn-out, taken-for-granted, too-religious-sounding line, but the fact is, people notice it always. It’s a simple reminder for people that, “Hey, the Church still exists!”
But of course, our main issue here with regards to billboards isn’t about culture or ethics – it’s the legality of it (i.e., putting up billboards), but that’s a different story.
The question is: what have the church been billboarding all this time to the world?