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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
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February 2005 |
Two Indiana churches some of the first to receive matching grants:
Igniting Ministry expands its media campaign to churches
By Alison Bartels
Beginning in Fall 2005, Igniting Ministry plans to expand its movement to reach spiritual seekers with the message of Christ's love.
Igniting Ministry, the church's national media ministry, works to proclaim the Gospel by increasing awareness of The United Methodist Church, welcoming seekers into the church and renewing a sense of commitment in current United Methodists. The new campaign plans to increase advertising and training resources for local churches and continue to aid congregations in reaching out to the community.
Over the past four years Igniting Ministry has developed and implemented an integrated media and welcoming plan for The United Methodist Church. Under the brand promise: "Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors," the ministry has worked to change the way the church is perceived by the public and by its members. Additionally, the efforts have aimed to change how the church perceives and receives spiritual "seekers."
In this new quadrennium, existing advertising will be expanded and more firmly tied to Lent, back-to-school and Advent, the three national advertising periods. Additional advertising will be added in the early summer, around Pentecost. Each period will have a theme that is supported with advertising materials assembled in a resource called an Expression Package.
According to Igniting Ministry organizers in Nashville, Tenn., the Expression Packages will have a unique biblical, emotional and strategic foundation that is both relevant to seekers and motivating to church leaders and members. Each package will include a SpiritFilms production that can be used in worship or small groups. In addition, they will have a one-hour welcoming training module that will help congregations understand how to apply the expression theme to their church. The packages will be available free to local churches through www.ignitingministry.org in July of this year.
Igniting Ministry staff members will be conducting a one-day (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) training event on March 12 at First UMC, 216 East Highland Ave. in Elgin, Ill. and April 16 at Bethel UMC, 1220 Bethel Rd. in Columbus. A $40 congregational fee includes training and notes packet for each participant. For more information, call toll-free 877-281-6535 or e-mail IMtraining@umcom.org.
As part of the expansion, matching grants to local churches are available for TV, radio, cinema and outdoor billboards. According to Jackie Vaughan, Igniting Ministry media grants director, First UMC in Griffith, Ind. recently received matching funds to support its media campaign. The congregation will receive $2,637 to match funds and support their outreach through billboards and cinema screen ads. The Avon (Ind.) UMC has received a matching grant of $2,500 for a Lenten media campaign as well.
Griffith's First and Avon UMCs are among the first in Indiana who will receive grant money and participate in Igniting Ministry's effort to reach approximately 30 million un-churched persons throughout the country.
Two more opportunities exist for a matching grant for 2005 with back-to-school and Advent. Applications may be submitted for both rounds, May 1 through June1, 2005. Applications may be filed online at www.ignitingministry.org.
Alison Bartels, a Butler University student, serves the Indiana Area communication's office as an intern this semester.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008