Reprinted from United Church News
In a statement released last night (Feb. 2), the Rev. John H. Thomas, UCC general minister and president, announced that the UCC’s new ad campaign has been approved for airing during a three-week period over Easter.
In a letter immediately following the decision, Thomas wrote, in part:
“The Executive Committee of the Executive Council met Thursday afternoon, February 2, and voted to authorize the airing of our new ‘God is Still Speaking,’ commercial for a three-week period over Easter. This is made possible by gifts from individuals and congregations across the United Church of Christ, as well as grants from Local Church Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, and Justice and Witness Ministries …
“Fund raising will continue in the hope of raising an additional $1 million, which will enable us to extend airing the commercials through Mother's Day. A more detailed communication will be forthcoming, but we wanted to get this word to you as soon as possible following our meeting.”
The announcement follows the November 2005 decision of the U
CC's five-person Collegium of Officers to postpone the planned Advent ad buy when an ambitious fund-raising effort came up short.
Upon hearing today's decision, Stillspeaking Coordinator Ron Buford said, "I celebrate the opportunity for the United Church of Christ to continue reaching out to people who are looking for a spiritual home and a family they can call their own."
Buford said that focus groups recently previewed the new television ad. Initial reports show that the groups responded favorably to the new ad’s message delivered with humor. “Expect fun things,” he said.
According to Buford, members of the UCC Executive Committee of the Executive Council also previewed the ad prior to making their final decision, and reacted positively.
“We are grateful to everyone for the financial gifts, hard work, and imagination that have literally changed the perception of the United Church of Christ as a place of authentic welcome,” said Buford. The Stillspeaking Initiative soon will announce strategies to raise additional funds to extend the approved ad schedule for an additional three weeks to take it through Mother's Day.
The UCC’s “bouncer” ad campaign ignited a national controversy when it aired in December 2004 and March 2005. Since the initial December 2004 ad run, more than 7.1 million visitors have come to the UCC websites and more than 661,000 of those visitors entered a city name or zip code to find a UCC church near them.
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Related Post: God Is Still Speaking But CBS And NBC Don’t Want You To Hear The Message
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Related Link: The UCC's Advent Message: The denomination's first national television advertising campaign is edgy--but contains an important theological idea. by Chuck Currie (from Beliefnet.com)
