This week in the Church Marketing Lab, we had some incredible creations and dialogue. Simply head over and click on a piece of work; you’ll see what I mean. Here’s a small glimpse of what’s been going on this week:
A church ad in an underground newspaper.
SHE Ministries has a new logo.
A final ad for a Spanish student ministry.
Language classes are open, and here’s your invitation.
Now that you see what’s been going on, make sure to head on over and join the thriving discussion. Ask a question, make a comment, and enjoy the work!
Mean Dean
May 11, 2007
Heh, yeah, like I told my 11th grade sunday school class while on this topic “what’s the big deal about being different like everyone else”
There is a culture that goes with the types of piercings depicted in said poster, and I’m not so sure it is compatible with the dying to self and living for Christ attitude we must all assume.
That and equating 21st century body piercings with Christ’s – at leat to me – demeans what Christ did for all of us on the Cross.
Wonder if that message isn’t also being marketed?
dt
May 11, 2007
Isn’t the flame from the “SHE” ad a rip off of the Audio Slave flame? I smell plagiarism. dt
Dan
May 11, 2007
Hey Dean,
It really doesn’t matter how many Christians might be offended by one of these advertisements. If just one of the lost were saved via the pierced advertisement, then it is worth it. I don’t believe Christ is worried about his reputation. I used to get bothered by this stuff quite a bit, but I’m beginning to realize that every ministry needs to take different approaches. We have many churches in our small town ministering to many different groups of people with many different methods. There is not a single ministry in our town that could reach everyone we need to reach…I don’t care how big the church is. Some methods we may find offensive or strange, but God can use any of our feeble efforts if He is the reason for them. The advertisement may help get them to through the door, or just get them to think. They don’t know the message yet, so let’s not be worried about whether they know what Christ was pierced for until they come to the point where they are ready to accept the Gospel. The things that might have reached you are not the same as the things that might reach someone in a different sub-culture.
Mean Dean
May 11, 2007
I disagree Dan. The flaw I see in your argument is the looming question of “saved to what?”
To a concept that the “different sub-culture” of body mutilation is equal to the sacrifice on the Cross?
Kevin D. Hendricks
May 11, 2007
Hey Guys, I encourage you to take your suggestions to the Church Marketing Lab and post them there. Discussion is already happening over there about each of these pieces, so it’d be more helpful if you add your two cents over there.
Thanks!
Akash
May 11, 2007
(since the discussion hasn’t been taken to the site)
I’d say saved to a life of discipleship (or use whatever churchy phrase you want). But the key to remember is that While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He came for the sick. It doesn’t matter what they look like. We introduce them to God and let Him work in their lives.
Of course, none of that assumes I think that just because someone has a piercing, they aren’t believers or are “sick” (well we all are).
Saying “There is a culture that goes with the types of piercings depicted in said poster” is prejudiced. While many people with piercings may fit in a certain culture, we as Christians shouldn’t be stereotyping people by what they look like.
Dan
May 11, 2007
The ad doesn’t equate the two, it’s just a way to bridge people’s thought process from their own dark and narrow view to what Christ did for us on the cross. God loves people with piercings too.
Gloria
May 14, 2007
dt- if their logo is the one on the site, then no, it’s not a rip off.
The She logo is much cleaner and WAY prettier. :D
Joel Klampert
May 14, 2007
I am the designer of the pierced ad and the she logo. First off thanks CMS for popping them up here. I LOVE THIS SITE.
second since non of these comments are on the lab page I will address them here.
She Logo: that is not a rip off of audio slave.lol. Go to logo lounge and type in flame in the search you will find a bazillion flames…Most will look the same…but they aren’t.
Pierced ad: I am ok with the controversy around this, but if you think I’m saying crucified is same as a lip ring then you totally missed the point of the ad. It was to make you think that Christ accepts everybody. It did not go in the mainstream paper it went in the underground party paper.
It along with our other ads caused quite a stir and two newspapers did articles on our church. We became the talk of the town and people who didnt give any thought to Christ and his saving grace now do. We had many questions and young people questioning. On top of this we had people come to our church and stay.
Ultimatly today people do have a narrow view of the church and christ and there isn’t much out there changing peoples opinions. We wanted to.
Thanks for the comments and God bless
Janne Eerola
June 3, 2007
Nice. I’d have to correct one thing: That “Starving” -poster is not spanish, it’s for a finnish student&youth ministry :)
Peter Bowden
June 3, 2007
I live in Newport, RI near where the church running these ads is located. It was a whole series of ads and the paper wasn’t very underground. I saw the ads just reading the local newspaper and weekly monthly free rags around town. People at our church were talking about it. They’ve done well with this series.
Joshua
June 3, 2007
@janne – Sorry about that! While I wouldn’t know Finnish if it hit me on the head, a second look tells me that it wasn’t Spanish. I’ll keep a better eye out in the future!