LifeChurch.tv and Satan - Counterpoint!

This is a guest post by Kirk Longhofer who blogs at Technopraxis.

By now, just about everyone in the church marketing world has seen the new billboard campaign from Lifechurch.tv. Our esteemed host posted on them earlier today. Props to Cory for allowing me disagree, sort of.

Cory and I are in agreement on a few things! I agree that if I saw these billboards, I would run home and check the URL. I’m sure any other marketer, holy or heathen would, too! Anybody who’s heard of Lifechurch probably would.

My question is this. Would someone in OKC who’s not in tune with what the cool churches are be that interested? What about someone in Las Vegas who’s never heard of LifeChurch. Will it penetrate the post-modern, “not terribly interested in church” brain?

I’m not so sure. I think stories are more effective than gimmick. I’ve got a few more thoughts and an example over at Technopraxis.

LifeChurch will certainly get a lot of buzz out of the campaign. no question. But will the buzz resonate with people who haven’t thought about going to church recently? Or will it just buzz with church folks, many of whom have hotbutton reactions to the mere mention of LifeChurch?

Only time will tell. I hope they are overrun with new folks! More than that, I hope they share the results of the campaign down the road.

Kirk Longhofer blogs at TechnoPraxis.

March 7, 2007 · Filed Under Church Websites, Rockin' Web Sites

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5 Responses to “LifeChurch.tv and Satan - Counterpoint!”

  1. Steve Wanless on March 8th, 2007 11:06 am

    I would have to agree with you Kirk. I know it will generate allot of buzz around the church coms world, but will it will be interesting to see what some locals are saying about the billboards.

    I cant find much data, but I think there are allot of people out there who don’t actually beleive in satan. A poll by Barna says that a mere 20% of Christian groups they surveyed believed satan was real. And these people are Christians, not the unchurched. Yes the survey is from 2001 but I don’t think it would have changed too much.

    I think a better idea is to do what I have seen where I live in New Zealand. God Marks is a ministry that puts up billboards and posters around town with little messages from God - such as “I love everyone, even Christians - God”

    It’s not about promoting a church, but showing people the character of God, and generating discussion in the community.

    Anyway, thats my two cents worth.

    Steve

  2. Jason Curlee on March 8th, 2007 11:43 am

    Part of me loves that they are taking such a high risk. That is what keeps them growing. Too many churches are too worried about offending someone and don’t push the envelope.

    Will it offend churches? yep…and I think those same churches need to be focusing on taking a few risk themselves.

    Will it draw in people? I think so…in huge masses probably not.

    The thing to remember is that leadership is about taking risks. Some risks will flop and some will have huge payoffs. It is awesome for me to see the innovative thought they put into this. I believe that this innovation keeps it fresh and is very relatable to the people in their church who will bring in the people they know because of it.

  3. marka on March 8th, 2007 6:38 pm

    “Would someone in OKC who’s not in tune with what the cool churches are be that interested?”

    Maybe.

    Recently my brother-in-law and his family moved to California and had to look for a new church home. They are at a church that they love and are already involved in the ministry at their new church.

    Having an interest in church marketing, I wanted to know what caused them to check out that particular church. He said there was no one reason why, but a number of events that raised his awareness of the church. One of those things was simply driving by the church. It made him aware that the church even existed. Word of mouth and direct mail played a part in this decision as well.

    The purpose of a billboard in the marketing mix is only to create awareness. A billboard along a busy road can only do that with the limited amount of time that it catches the attention of the driver whizzing by at 55 MPH. That’s just the A out of the AIDA marketing formula. The IDA are handled by the landing page and the rest of their site.

    “Will it penetrate the post-modern, “not terribly interested in church” brain?”

    Probably not, you’ll need a lot more than a billboards and door hangers to accomplish that task.

  4. Jim Walton on March 9th, 2007 10:08 am

    Great thoughts, Kirk! I read your post on your blog yesterday as well as this one. You raise some good points, will it penetrate? Time will tell. In my opinion, church marketing is not about a one time hit on a billboard to coerce somebody in, it’s about getting your name out there and keeping your name in front of people. Then, as the Holy Spirit is working in their heart, the LifeChurch message plays a part. I think it’s worthwhile, and as you say, time will tell.

  5. Jim Walton on March 9th, 2007 10:09 am

    Great thoughts, Kirk! I read your post on your blog yesterday as well as this one. You raise some good points, will it penetrate? Time will tell. In my opinion, church marketing is not about a one time hit on a billboard to coerce somebody in, it’s about getting your name out there and keeping your name in front of people. Then, as the Holy Spirit is working in their heart, the LifeChurch message plays a part. I think it’s worthwhile, and as you say, time will tell.

    See ya tomorrow!

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