United Methodists Rethink Church with 10 Thousand Doors

The United Methodist Church is running an integrated communication campaign, “10 Thousand Doors”, helping North Americans rethink the concept of church. UMC’s $20 million ad campaign will spend the next four years reaching out through television, radio, print, and in new media, including banner and keyword advertising on major secular Web sites, inviting members of the public, and members of United Methodist congregations, to recognize church beyond the Sunday morning worship experience.

The Rethink Church campaign, online at www.10thousanddoors.org, is the next evolution to the denomination’s “Open hearts” campaign and highlights the many opportunities available within United Methodist churches to engage with the world, including fighting malaria, reconciliation initiatives, job training, parent support, early childhood education, ecology, aid and development work.

TV Ads in Times Square

For three months, the United Methodist Church will be airing two 15-second ads in New York’s Times Square every hour for 18 hours each day. Throughout the months of July, August and September, the denomination will air spots on the 26-by-20-foot CBS “Super Screen” as part of a $20 million campaign geared toward 18- to 34-year-olds. The messages target young adults who are seeking spiritual fulfillment, including those with skeptical views of church.

The following two ads focus on literacy and environmental awareness, with one asking “What if church was a literacy program for homeless children? Would you come?” and the other asking “What if church considered ecology part of theology?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFxYVu_q4OE

Action

On May 6, one day after the campaign’s official launch, more than 100 United Methodists took to the streets of New York City to perform random acts of kindness, including cab hailing, door opening, and more. The street teams also gave away iTune cards – good for one song download – that promoted www.10thousanddoors.org, a new Web site where visitors are able to interact, learn more about United Methodist Church, and search for involvement opportunities.

With about 8 million in the United States and Canada, the United Methodist Church is the second largest Protestant denomination in America. It is also the third largest Christian denomination in the world with some 12 million members worldwide. Aside from overseeing the Rethink Church advertising, UMCom, the communications agency of the denomination, is providing Rethink Church training, media, and public relations support services to United Methodist congregations and conferences worldwide. See the Rethink Facebook site, 10 Thousand Doors Facebook group, and UM Communication Twitter channel.