Marketing Opportunity?

[rfk]

I have relatives in Massachusetts who are lifelong faithful Catholics, yet have really had their faith rocked over the last couple of years. I think they are pretty typical Boston Irish Catholics.

This has created “marketing opportunity”, as the following blurb shows:

Calling disillusioned Roman Catholics “our best aftermarket,” the national advertising coordinator for the United Church of Christ has urged Massachusetts congregations to make a point of welcoming “former Catholics who are hurting.”

Ron Buford made his comments in a speech to about 600 delegates to the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Conference of the UCC. The UCC, with Congregational churches in town centers across the state, is the largest Protestant denomination in Massachusetts.

During his one-hour address, Buford told a packed auditorium at Mount Holyoke College that “Catholics are willing to come back to church.” However, he said, they might want to “return” to a new denomination with “less dogma,” “more respect for free thinking” and “more available pastors.”

They are also running a TV advertising campaign.

Test ad in Western MA brings rave reviews

 

[Apologia100]

Slick marketing is never an adequate substitute for sound theology.

 

[space_ghost]

someone please tell me… HOW can you have your faith rocked over this scandal…

i can understand you might be dissapointed and hurt, suprised, let down, dissolousioned, even angry and fighting mad…

but, how does that elevate you to thinking your faith is bad…
did you know there were over 70 accusations a week over the last 10 years by members of faiths other than catholic…

your faith might be rocked if they found the bones of Jesus Christ, but it certainly shouldn’t be rocked by the sins of men…

hang in there, you really will be ok… and you can be certain the church will…

 

[gomer_tree]

Those who have their faith rocked by the scandal are those who have placed their faith in men rather than the Church.

As someone who understands the distinction, I will never have my faith rocked by the scandals of men. But I totally understand how some are having their faith rocked. Rather than think of these people as simple or stupid, we should simply understand that they have a poor understanding of what our faith means, and what is important. We need to correct that, and we also need to use it as a lesson. There is no way my kids are going to grow up without the proper understanding of the faith. There will always be a future problem in the Church, and I want them prepared to handle anything.

Sadly, many today were not formed in such a way.

 

[Malachi4U]

The Mormons also have a wonderful add campaign that works. 25% of people that order their free Book of Mormon off TV adds convert! Why don’t they become Mormon? After all it is a larger church!

We are a nation that has become susceptible to advertising even though we all know most of it is just window dressing and false. Somebody once said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” Thats why advertising works today.

Ask your relatives if they will become Islam because its in a commercial? What about SDA or JW?

Every church including the RCC has some sinners in it, this does not make the theology or teachings wrong, just the sinner.

Typical of advertising have you noticed this add lacks any “proof” for a reason to convert to the United Church of Christ?:banghead: What is the evidence they have that Christ established their church or made its “interpretation” any better then 33,000 other protestant churches “interpretation” in the US alone? Advertising IS effective and it DOES work but it is not always TRUTHFULL.

Study the theology and teachings not the commercials. How many bought junk from commercials only to find it didn’t work?

See this link for denomination size:

adherents.com/rel_USA.html#religionsStick with THE Church Christ founded in 33 A.D., the Catholic Church. (This includes our Eastern Rite brothers too! )

 

[OhioBob]

space ghost:

someone please tell me… HOW can you have your faith rocked over this scandal…

i can understand you might be dissapointed and hurt, suprised, let down, dissolousioned, even angry and fighting mad…

but, how does that elevate you to thinking your faith is bad…
did you know there were over 70 accusations a week over the last 10 years by members of faiths other than catholic…

your faith might be rocked if they found the bones of Jesus Christ, but it certainly shouldn’t be rocked by the sins of men…

hang in there, you really will be ok… and you can be certain the church will…

Well said. :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

I was wondering the same thing myself.

 

[BobCatholic]

gomer tree:

Those who have their faith rocked by the scandal are those who have placed their faith in men rather than the Church.

Amen!!!

I wonder how many times I’ve had to repeat to non-catholics that my faith is in Christ and not in men! Sheesh. God works wonders through sinful men. Look at the 11 remaining Apostles, and the Apostles Barnabas and Paul. Saints throughout the ages.