A new kind of evangelism!

"Igniting Ministry is an exciting new kind of evangelism, using modern technology and the common language of television to spread the Good News of Christ to a world in need. It’s a national advertising campaign, supplemented by regional and local church efforts, to help raise awareness of our church." From the Igniting Ministry web site (www.ignitingministry.org)

Igniting Ministry offers local churches new evangelism tools, highlighted by a series of powerful national cable network commercials designed to raise positive awareness about The United Methodist Church. The commercials meet people where they are and address those with hungry hearts with messages about God’s love.

But Igniting Ministry is more than television commercials; it’s also a coordinated and comprehensive series of efforts offering resources to assist local churches in strengthening their welcoming and marketing skills. All of it is aimed at helping make disciples of Christ!

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Helping the local church reach out

Using funding voted by the 2000 General Conference, the campaign helps the local church reach out, especially targeting people 25-54 years old. The purpose of Igniting Ministry is to proclaim the gospel as we:

• increase awareness and recognition of The United Methodist Church’s basic beliefs;
• foster among non-members a positive feeling and willingness to visit a United Methodist church; and
• renew a sense of commitment in United Methodists.

Systematic, independent tests are conducted annually in each jurisdiction to monitor the success in meeting these goals.

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Speaking the language of the people

• TV spots-to help bring people into a relationship with Christ and our United Methodist churches. Because television is the language of the people-the kind of people we are trying to reach--the purchase of time on nationwide cable TV networks is the primary component of the campaign. All spots are closed-captioned and selected spots are produced for Spanish and Korean speaking viewers.



• Matching grants--to enable local and regional placement of the spots on broadcast television, to supplement the national campaign and to target people local churches are trying to attract. UMCom is contributing $1 million yearly in matching grants for use by conferences and local churches to supplement the national campaign with their own regional and local campaigns. Three rounds of matching grants of up to $50,000 per applicant are implemented annually. Applications for matching grants are available by calling the campaign offices or from the Igniting Ministry website-- www.ignitingministry.org.



• A Web presence--to provide seekers further information about The United Methodist Church. Each spot is tagged with a special website address designed for the unchurched. The website offers a way to search for a United Methodist church by location, including a map.

Igniting Ministry is a vital missional initiative to share the Good News of God’s redeeming love to all people, inviting them into one of our worshipping congregations.

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What’s in it for the local church?

Local churches participating in the campaign will begin to reach out into the community in new ways that create excitement for members and seekers.

In preparation for the campaign, five test markets were conducted across the country. Favorable impressions of The United Methodist Church and a willingness to attend services increased dramatically after the TV spots ran, with nearly 40 percent of the viewers polled indicating a positive response.

Research has shown that the campaign will:

• positively impact church membership
• inform and energize non-members and current members
• enhance the church’s image in local communities
• strengthen the purpose and mission of the church

To best achieve these objectives, local church participation must be significant. Igniting Ministry is an undertaking of the whole church, not a quick fix. Commercials alone cannot raise awareness significantly. Only a concentration of time and effort will achieve the objective that is primary to the others-getting people to walk through the church door and giving them a reason to stay.

Local congregations can use Igniting Ministry resources to develop local media campaigns and involve members in welcoming and evangelism efforts. United Methodist Communications also encourages local churches to use other denominational resources, such as the Board of Discipleship’s “Faith Sharing” program.

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September is Open House Month at LUMC

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Igniting Ministry Team at SC Laity Convocation at Lake Junaluska
August 2003

The house warmers were busy before each presentation.	Each presentation began with a Call to Worship.
The Mr. and Ms. Noah skit.	Leading the Welcoming 101 Sunday School.
Conducting the Inviting 101 Sunday School.	More than a “Pound of Friendship”

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“Igniting Ministry offers us the unique opportunity to step forward to announce the call of Christ in ways impossible until recently. This is the time to reclaim our tradition and to put the light of Christ proudly on the electronic lamp stand where it will shine for all to see! The tools of technology and the mass media can be harnessed to reach people in unprecedented ways.” - Bishop Rueben P. Job

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LUMC Igniting Ministry Team

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