Church Marketing Sucks

I’ve been blogging here at Church Marketing Sucks since 2004, and I know I’m getting old—but never more so than the release of Pokémon Go and this actual headline in USA Today:

Westboro Baptist Church recruits Jigglypuff, a Pokémon, against LGBT community on Pokémon Go

Wait, what?!

This isn’t the Onion (though they have their take), this is real life.

Here’s what happened: Nintendo launched Pokémon Go, a smartphone app last Thursday. The app is an augmented reality game that uses GPS to make Pokémon characters appear in real-world locations. The game became a viral phenomenon over the weekend, gaining more active users than Twitter and adding $9 billion in market value to Nintendo. Also, it’s wracking up stories of injuries, armed robberies and other calamities.

Here’s how it works: So real-world locations like buildings are designated as PokéStops in the game. This is where you can catch Pokémon characters. Other locations are “gyms” where you can have a Pokémon throwdowns. Or something. Is that right? Probably not, I’m old. (Here’s a great article that provides an introduction and overview to both the game play and how people are reacting.)

Here’s Why Churches Care About Pokémon Go

OK, aside from Westboro picking fights as usual, why should churches care?

Because apparently tons of churches are already set up as PokéStops or gyms in the game, sending tons of people to churches over the weekend (even prompting a Babylon Bee article, the Onion for the Christian world).

Yes, people with potentially no other reason to care about your church are beating on the door, thanks to Pokémon Go.

Weird.

And churches are responding. There’s a healthy buzz in Facebook groups and church staff are trying to figure out what to do, from adding “Welcome Pokémon Gamers” signs to offering Pokémon coloring sheets or collectibles. One church put out a cooler with bottles of water bearing labels inviting gamers back to church.

For more tips, including how to get started, check out 8 Ways Churches Can Capitalize on Pokémon Go:

“Pastors and church leaders can make fun of Pokémon Go and the players walking right outside their doors. Or they can take Paul’s advice and become a gamer to reach the gamers for the sake of the gospel.”

Gotcha.

Seriously, go read Aaron Earls’ post for some great Pokémon Go tips and ideas for your church. He’s not nearly the curmudgeon I am. Steve Fogg has a few more ideas. As does Joe Gallant. The Diocese of Green Bay put together a Parish Primer. And Kenny Jahng shared some Pokemon Go graphics you can use.

Cranky Old Man Addendum

The Pokémon Go app isn’t even a week old. Aren’t we jumping the gun?

Maybe. Probably. Who knows?

This may be a fad that burns out and crashes and we’ll remember it like Friendster and MySpace. But right now, it’s huge. The sudden explosion in popularity is unprecedented, and that’s worth taking a closer look. It’s probably a little early to ditch your communication plan and do a Pokémon battle during the sermon, but handing out water and asking passersby how their Pokémon hunt is going? That’s just being nice.

Pokémon Go & Church Examples

Here’s how some churches are responding to Pokémon Go:

First Christian Church in Decatur, Ill., put a slide on their digital sign and put out a ziplock bag with coupons for a free coffee.

So @FirstTemple is a gym and a pokestop in #pokemongo, so I made a sign. #chsocm pic.twitter.com/lHoE47Ybnq

— Evan Duncan (@evanduncan) July 11, 2016

@Stevefogg A4: This is what we did, getting some hits on social media from it #cmschat pic.twitter.com/vHhMNYXZjW

— Ladona Smith (@ladonasmith) July 15, 2016

A5: Here is some great signage one church has already done #cmschat pic.twitter.com/PSDmQuGvoc

— Steven Fogg (@Stevefogg) July 15, 2016

Love seeing stuff like this. #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/D43iPTTuqE

— Pokemon GO Hub (@PokemonGoHub) July 11, 2016

Many of our campus locations are #pokestops for #pokemongo! Stop by this morning for this and #atthemovies pic.twitter.com/j8tRxC0gyT

— #lifechurch (@lifechurch) July 10, 2016