the united church of canada just launched a massive ad campaign called emerging spirit to help promote the new website www.wondercafe.ca which was developed by the church’s emerging spirit team of internet experts. the hope behind the new site is to connect with 30-45 year old canandians who do not have a faith community they identify with, or are connected with, but are deeply interested in spiritual things.
Giulliano, the church’s top official, said of the initiative:Â A 16 month long research group study concluded that 30-45 year old "believe in God, that this belief shapes their lives, and that nearly half pray each day…Â the bad news is that a majority of them see the church as judgmental, arrogant, boring and not able to respond to their spiritual and moral needs."
wondercafe.ca was launched in hopes of overcoming this negative view of organized religion and as a gathering place for people with faith questions while maintaining a neighborhood cafe feel to it. it allows for those that have questions, but don’t want anything to do with church, the opportunity to engage with others on spiritual matters. (read the news story here)
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these ads certainly get the ball rolling and i’m sure will make for great water cooler discussions away from the website as well. this campaign could certainly do more than bring people to a website, but could help to bring out spiritual discussion in a great way. i’d love to see some of these on billboards and on buses in a major city somewhere… i guess i’ll have to make a trip to canada sometime to see it…. it’s good to see the church start to push the envelope.
Related posts:
- consumer christianity, the meagachurch and spiritual formation
- dr. schuller, mark driscoll, & the crystal cathedral.
- in, but not of.
- reform & resurge
- out of context
Very slick and provocative! Importantly, they defy typical stereotypes of the church and Christians in a fun and eye-catching manner. Makes me almost want to move to Canada. So, Aaron, which one was your favorite?
i think i liked “bobble-head jesus” the best… but they’re all pretty good!
Cool advertising…even with another “white” Jesus
of course jesus is white! it’s canada!