One church would, and they’re even aiming too. In a David Blaine-esque stunt, they’ve promised to suspend their pastor in a box for three days if 4,000 people show up on Easter.
You can visit the site, but there’s not much more to say about it other than that.
This type of marketing doesn’t sit exceptionally well with me. It…
Would You Put Your Pastor in a Box?
Jason Delgado
March 31, 2009
I’ve already weighed in on this, but I have to say this: you guys who run this website are acting pretty hypocritical with your criticisms toward Calvary Church’s idea. You launched a site called CHURCHMARKETINGSUCKS.COM … and you’re going to criticize pastor in a box?!?!?! You’ve got a lot of pious nerves to go there. Your motive for the name of your website was to draw attention and traffic to it. There is nothing different with what Calvary Church is doing.
And, let’s turn the table a little bit since you guys think you’re the ultimate opinion of other church’s marketing strategies. What impression do you think you’re leaving on unbelievers who run across your website name? That churches who market SUCK? Don’t you think you could KEEP many of them away from church altogether? Bet you didn’t think about that before you decided to spout off your prideful and pious criticism of Calvary Church. Oh, and how are you guys doing any service or edification to the Body of Christ with a website who’s purpose is to bash other church’s marketing ideas? I bet guys like Ed Young Jr. just frustrate the mess out of you guys, don’t they? But, he’s running 26,000 strong at Fellowship Church! 26,000 changed and discipled lives! AND, Ed used a lot of wild marketing ideas to reach many of those people. What have YOU done? Why don’t you rename your site CHURCHMARKETINGPHARISEES.COM? Give me a break! Why don’t you get a life and a real ministry and your own creative ideas to win souls for Christ and stop criticizing the efforts of others! Sorry, I know this is strong but I’ve had my fill.
Christina Balding
March 31, 2009
I went to Calvary way back in the 80s when my parents were on staff there. I have to say I was blown away at the church Calvary has become. I think my pastors are some of the most fun people I have ever had the pleasure of hanging out with and you go all the way with this Pastor Ben. I don’t see this as so much of a stunt to get people through the door, but as a public confession of your love and devotion to our church. And I know this for sure. If new people walk in on Easter Morning, they will be blown away by the worship and Pastor Elmer’s incredible ability as a worship leader and they will be fed the Word, straight from the Gospel, AND they will have the most fun they’ve had in a long time AT CHURCH!
CHURCHmarketingsucks website blows
March 31, 2009
JASON DELGADO HIT IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD!! YOUR WEBSITE IS A WACKY BIT TO GET NOTICED. REV. DAILEY IS JUST GETTTING HIS MESSAGE OUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY!! I HAVE YET TO HEAR BEN BASH THIS WEBSITE AND ALL OF YOUR TRASH TALKING. I GUESS HE LEAVES THAT TO HIS MASSES THAT ARE SICK OF THIS SITE BASHING OUR PASTORS, OUR MISSION AND FOR THAT MATTER – GOD!!
David Harden
March 31, 2009
Jesus put himself on a cross…was that a stunt to? Peter demanded to be crucified “up side down” on a cross, was that a just a marketing stunt? A psalmist named David killed the most feared man (Goliath)in Israel in the name of God with a slingshot; how bout that and later on, that same man (a then King) danced around naked in the temple, in front of everyone, all in the name of God and his own wife despised him; how bout that one? Jesus waited till Lazarus was dead and in the tomb before he came to heal him just so he could resurrect him…that was a pretty neat stunt don’t you think? Dude get a life and find a new stunt!
Hey Pastor Ben, keep praying, preaching and pluggin dude!
PS- I’m working on my own stunt; Sometime in the next two years, I’m gonna do a church fund raiser where I run 100 miles in 24 hours around a high school tract and were gonna raise a bunch of money for the gospel- I can’t wait for your criticism them!
Jameson
March 31, 2009
HONESTLY??? 1 Question…why are so many people closed minded? The one thing I can tell by checking out this website today is that the people who run it along with the people who visit it are EXTREMELY CLOSED MINDED!!! AND EXTREMELY RELIGIOUS as well. Do you not realize that for the most part everything that Jesus did offended the “religious” people of His day? My gosh it was the pharisees and the workers of religion that crucified Christ.
And as far as the website here…how can you take negative sides on campaigns when you’re very name could be offensive? Granted I’m not offended by your name, but it’s a shock factor that you’re after along with a lot of campaigns that people are running.
So as for the people on here that are bashing this saying that it’s a stunt to attract people and that what you have to do to get them you have to do to keep them, I’m just guessing that you have no outreach at your church or any creative marketing. Think about it, you’re saying that if you do an easter outreach i.e. an egg hunt, or christmas outreach or anything along those lines and people come to your church then the only way for you to keep them coming is to constantly be doing outreaches…WRONG!!!
Get them in the door however you can and then let the LOVE AND POWER OF GOD CHANGE THEM!!!
Be open minded and remember that the only people that hated and opposed Jesus and the Kingdom of God were the religious leaders!
elena
March 31, 2009
For Crystal Renaud:
“retarded” Really? You’re just going to throw that word around. Think about what you say before you say it. Besides, you make it sound like a bad thing. I teach special needs kids in middle school and I’m pretty sure they’re AWESOME!
Also, GO Gimmicks! Yea CC and P. Ben! WOO!
Master Tesfatsion
March 31, 2009
I’ll keep a prayer out for this website tonight. Thanks for the free publicity, as we continue to reach the unpreached!
A brother from another...
March 31, 2009
I love it. Shake the hatters off.
lizzie
March 31, 2009
Haters need to drink some
HATORADE!!!!!!!!
Chris Chatterton
March 31, 2009
So a question to Josh Cody. I bet you didn’t expect that you would get this kind of response when you blogged about pastor in a box did you? I mean lets be real, this post has generated more comments then I have seen on any other CMS post.
I must say I am also impressed with the Poll results as well looks like Calvary is “Rocking the Vote” to put a pastorinabox (Can anyone say Facebook?- Big Shout Out J to tha lo).
Now lets go back a little bit into CMS history July 26, 2007 you (Josh Cody) posted an article about a YouTube Contest being hosted by the Greater Boston Vineyard.
In that post you wrote:
“So maybe for you it’s a Facebook cause or group, maybe it’s a church blog, or maybe it’s a YouTube video contest. Whatever it is, remember two simple rules:
• The same principles apply on the web and in reality.
• These are points of entry, but once people access them, it’s your message that matters.”
All I have to say is Thanks Josh Cody for proving my point. You were 100% right when you (Josh Cody) made that statement because pastor in a box (as gimmicky or cheesy as YOU think it may be) is a point of entry and Calvary knows that it is our message that matters.
You know I am going to make a suggestion from one marketing professional to another and take it for what it’s worth. Maybe your next post should be how Facebook united a church to come together and support one another after churchmarketingsucks.com bashed it’s outreach.
The Girl Wonders
March 31, 2009
If you read the website referenced above you will see that Pastor Ben is challenging his own church to reach out. Why anyone would take time to disparage the sincere attempt of a pastor to encourage his own flock to reach out to the unchurched by whatever means he thinks will motivate them is beyond me. And gee…do you wonder why he chose three days after Easter to be in the box?
Pastor Ben, if God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. I’ll bet He’s proud of you, and we are too. Well done.
Ron & Judy
March 31, 2009
We Support you Pastor Ben in California… the Man with a Shepherd’s Heart!!We Love You!!
Ron & Judy
March 31, 2009
We Support you Pastor Ben in California… the Man with a Shepherd’s Heart!!We Love You!!
Ron & Judy
March 31, 2009
We Support you Pastor Ben in California… the Man with a Shepherd’s Heart!!We Love You!!
Ron & Judy
March 31, 2009
We Support you Pastor Ben in California… the Man with a Shepherd’s Heart!!We Love You!!
Kareem Hickman
March 31, 2009
Hey, I thought this was cool…check out Ben Dailey’s blog today…
http://pastorinabox.com/blog/
Chris Chatterton
March 31, 2009
One more post and I am done… sorry couldn’t let this one slide.
Dear Mr. Mark Andrew Pope.
I understand that you might not necessarily agree with what Calvary Church is doing, I mean heck you may totally hate it. I would just think that such an astute and accomplished Christian Musician who has by your own words stated “that we should give God our most excellent worship – no matter in what style we may find ourselves. – http://www.markandrewpope.com” would write such a negative post. If you truly think that Calvary Church is …..uuuuuuhhhmm how did you put it, oh yeah …..“ just desperate because you’ve (we’ve) tried every other quick pop culture trick to get tushes in the seats” and that … uuuuuhhhhhmmm ….ah yah it’s coming to me…” we (Calvary) should try faith in God” as an outreach idea then I encourage you to visit us. Maybe…just maybe, since you are so close to Calvary you could drop in for a service so you can see how and what we are about. Now, this is my opinion so feel free to disagree but I think that your post was one of the most negative I have seen in CMS.
Psalm 1:41
Blessed is the man:
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
My point is, it’s easy to spout of opinions when there is no accountability. A good rule of thumb that I use is this …(and it’s real simple) I don’t write anything online that I wouldn’t say to someone in person. If more people followed this rule the internet would be a much nicer place. I mention this because no one wants to visit a site and or comment on a post when all they see is bashing whether it’s right or wrong.
One more shout out to Jean-Guy who posted on March 28, 2009 1:02 PM
If you think that this an “attempt to bypass the daily grind of making connections through a lifestyle lived in Jesus.” , then I think it is time to for some self reflection. When your perspective and or point of view is so skewed that you start referring to building relationships/connections with Jesus as daily grind then you might want to get in the word. We all understand that being a Christian can be difficult at times but we (Christians) should look at each new opportunity to connect as a great way to expand Gods kingdom not as a tedious chore that we got stuck with.
Take it for what it is worth
Ron & Judy
March 31, 2009
We Support you Pastor Ben in California… the Man with a Shepherd’s Heart!!We Love You!!
Steve Brown
April 1, 2009
Get Real. This is a fun marketing tool to get an already motivated congregation to Reach Out to the community. This is a door opener, the relationship begins once the contact is made. If this helps to increase the number of “First Contacts” then its mission is accomplished. Get a life and have some fun.
Joshua
April 1, 2009
Hey guys, let’s calm down just a hair. Here are some things I’m hearing: “Get Real,” “churchmarketingsucks.com bashed it’s outreach,” “the people who run [this site]…are EXTREMELY CLOSED MINDED!!!,” “SICK OF THIS SITE BASHING OUR PASTORS,” “YOUR WEBSITE IS A WACKY BIT TO GET NOTICED,” etc. The other side has been equally vocal, using words like “vomit” and retarded.”
We’re not looking to “bash” anyone. We aren’t looking to make fun of anyone. We don’t think anyone is “retarded.”
To the Calvary folks, I’d like to let you know that I’m thankful for the outreach you’re doing, and I’m glad lives are being changed at your church. I’m proud that your church is affecting people and moving them towards God. And I’m glad more people will come to church on Easter because of the conversations going on here and elsewhere.
All that said, I don’t think I’ll be won over on putting pastors in boxes :)
Ryan
April 1, 2009
My question that I would ask after all of this arguing (seeing that I come from a non denominational background) is this. Where is the sin in this? This is marketing, and its created a buzz, and that’s exactly what it’s supposed to do. Is there anything inherently wrong with a man in a box? Make sure we keep things straight, we are not trying to “convert” AT FIRST, we are trying to get their foot in the door, THEN let them hear about The Word, THEN convert. This is not a trick, these people know they are coming to a church, no magic in that.
Are coffee and refreshments at church going to “convert” you – NO. Is the good looking girl or boy at church going to “convert” you – NO. These things may HELP you, but it will get your foot in the door. I do not go to Calvary but I think most people that are marketing for Churches in all areas are about one thing – getting peoples foot in the door, and then its about whatever is inside you that makes you change and how that church affects you, and if it takes a man willing to “sacrifice” himself (no pun intended) then so be it.
Jason
April 1, 2009
I just don’t get the concept. I’m all about hype, but I just don’t get this. I like the idea of a pastor who’s willing to look goofy. I like the idea of a goal for Easter. I would rather have a better developed concept… Make him run around town in a bunny suit meeting people and sharing there’s more to Easter than a rabbit. SOMEthing that ties into Easter or church. Putting a pastor in a box sounds like a punishment and has been grounded. Just sounds like they should’ve spent another 10 minutes in the brainstorming room. Well I gotta go and lock my pastor in his office for 3 days.
Gale
April 1, 2009
I gotta tell you. I dont live in Dallas but I’ve know the Pastor and his family since he was a young boy and have watched him grow into a fine Godly man. You may all think this is a gimmic but what you are not looking at in the end result. This Pator only needs to get them in and because Jesus radiates from him and works through hin JUSUS will do the rest. We should use all that we have as humans to get people in just to hear the word and Jesus does the rest. It doesn’t matter how we get them in as long as it’s not decietful, if God take the lead when they get there and I know with this Pastor God ALWAYS takes the lead. What comes out of this Pastors mouth is Jesus speaking through him not him speaking. So everyone needs to quit worring about how they are getting them in the church but that they are getting them in the church so that God can do the rest. We all need to quit worring about others and take a look at ourselves. Are you out there trying to get people to turn to Jesus or are you just judging someone who is??? You go with this Ben and keep trusting the Lord on what you should do. Don’t worry about judgmental people for we are all only humans Isa 55:8;”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. If they are judging you they should probably be looking at themselves and finding out exactly where they stand and are they doing anything.
Jose Olide
April 1, 2009
Ok, First off… As developer of the site.. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HITS! :D
Second, take a breather everyone. While your at it check out Pastor Ben’s latest blog. I guarantee you will be enlightened. http://pastorinabox.com/blog/
Or just click on my name to go to the blog.
relax. all in good fun. it’s getting people here… so really, you “experts” can say all you want. The results… will and evidently do… speak for themselves.
Blaine
April 1, 2009
People don’t even like it when David Blaine sits in a box and his whole business is about illusion and facades…Everyone I have mentioned this story to has said, “You mean, like David Blaine?”
I’m just not sure that I would want people to associate my ministry and people with the art of illusion and facades. I’d rather have the people within the church create a buzz because they are so moved and compelled by the ministry, itself.
My 2 cents.
Mark Andrew Pope
April 1, 2009
I hope that everyone took a moment to see my second post – my first, being strongly opinionated, and, rightly stirring up some feelings – and my second where I recant a bit. I have always been a big believer in church unity. And, what I said wasn’t at all unifying. For that I apologize.
The fact is that the devil has done a wonderful job at dividing and conquering us Christians. I bashed the church, you’ve taken your turn at me… where does it end?
Calvary certainly isn’t doing anything that is hurtful to the Church or to anyone’s faith…
You know, I think I might actually attend Calvary on Easter Sunday. Why not? If nothing else, I can apologize in person and, then you only need 3,999 more to put your pastor in a box.
Andy Smith
April 1, 2009
Regarding the pastor in a box: It has ‘cheap gimmick’ written all over it. It was a cheap gimmick for David Blaine, it’s an even cheaper gimmick when copied.
Regarding this thread:
This infighting just proves that America (& the world) are ready for another major religion to take the reigns to help us become more peaceful in the world. Christians are some of the cruelest, most stiff and bitter people I’ve ever met, and this forum shows that so clearly.
This isn’t “open dialogue,” it’s one person thinking they’re being personally attacked, so rather than discuss it rationally they viciously snap back.
THAT’s why this won’t work. People can easily see past the gimmick to the agenda so poorly disguised behind it.
This whole thread just made me really sad. As a non-Christian designer I enjoy this site, because it’s tongue-in-cheek. And I don’t always agree with these guys, but they’re willing to say that they may be wrong. It’s as close to a church as I’m ever going to step foot in. Because they remind me that churches are still pulling the same old gimmicks, rather than just loving people. There’s not enough humility in Christianity, but there was in Christ. That strikes me as odd.
Bill Morris
April 1, 2009
That’s the spirit Mark.
Bill Morris
April 1, 2009
At some point in life your gonna have to get over the term, “Christians”, Andy and recognize that even if them so called “Christians” have hurt you in the past, it’s not because of them that people seek the church or God. It’s because we have that void in us that we seek to be filled with something. God is real, Jesus was humble and probably would’ve ended all of this discord over this dumb box long time ago. But as a non-Christian, don’t look at the people, because their just as jacked up as us…they just think can cover it all up and that’s what irritates folks like you and I. See I’ve grown up around church and been there and a genuine church is the one that reaches out to people like us. We don’t want stuff sugar coated, or even fed into our mouths, but we do want to see sincerity and others loving others.
Who knows, from what’ve heard from folk that attend this Calvary, it’s more than just a church with a box. Their focus is on reaching people. All they keep telling me is were reaching up, in and out. With a bit of clarity i think there’s something brewing there. I might just show up with Mark.
richard Hanner
April 1, 2009
Shout!
Motive is everything and since the impetus simply seems to be to motivate the congregants to use this as a invitational “ice breaker” with friends,family who are unchurched or deChurched,give ‘ole Ben a break! The N.T. documents attractional models that brought people together for a meal so that everyone could be introduced to Jesus!
Preach Christ and him Crucified Ben!
John Fiorello
April 1, 2009
wow.
I don’t think I would go to this church, but not because of the stunt…because of the people that wrote here that go to this church.
:(
JF
Chris Chatterton
April 1, 2009
Mark,
I want to apologize for my harshness in my last comment as I somehow missed your second post until I saw your third one. That being said should you decided to visit Calvary Church let me know maybe we can sit down for a cup of Coffee.
Fellow Believer
April 2, 2009
Hey John F.,
Any church would stand up for their Pastor and their church when people like all of us comment negatively against them. I’m not holding it against them for standing up and back their Pastor up. We should all be in this together not bashing Calvary for something like this.
Plus, you never know, these could be baby Christians learning their ways, we all once were.
I wouldn’t want to be a Christian because people are bashing their own people. Understand that before you talk negative towards the Calvary Church members.
Thanks John Fiorello.
Tyler
April 2, 2009
Didn’t christ say to compel them? If people are so wishy washy that they’re gunna skip from church to church to see “stunts” then they have completely missed it and maybe by attending a church where the gospel is presented in a relevant way they’ll finally stick and grow closer to god…
Brandi
April 2, 2009
I must say, there alot of people who are judging and who do not agree with what the church is doing. It IS all about Jesus, and what’s the best way to get the unchurched to hear about Jesus? Get them to church! And if that means putting a pastor in a box for a few days, we should all be thankful that more people are coming to church to hear the Word of God on Easter and the week after.
Kat
April 3, 2009
Does the box have holes?
Erik
April 4, 2009
I seriously doubt that Pastors who are faithfully feeding their sheep week in and week out could care less about being ‘exposed in a clear box’.
These stunts and gimmicks that attempt to bring the unconverted into church only seem to make the church more irrelevant and laughable to the world.
Just take a sneak peek over at the “Friendly Atheists” website and read some of these unconverted comments about Ben’s stunt and REMEMBER…these are the people Ben and Calvary church are trying to get into the church!
http://friendlyatheist.com/2009/03/28/put-a-pastor-in-a-box/
Pastor Ben, seriously, just preach the Word brother, let the Spirit of God draw the unconverted (John 6:44)and stay away from the hype.
http://kowalker.com/2009/04/04/pastor-in-a-box-easter-marketing-stunt/
Michael Buckingham
April 5, 2009
In order to be truly great we all need to be able to take some criticism. This isn’t a personal attack on a person or a church…Josh simply disagreed with the method for this particular campaign.
Let us all never forget that marketing campaigns, design, creativity, etc. are never more important than people. Let’s continue to challenge one another, have conversations…but to attack someone, with names and seemingly hate because they don’t like your latest marketing campaign? Careful.
I think this comment brings up the biggest question for me:
“I think this is one of those things that can really only be understood when your involved weekly with a church like Calvary”
Church can’t be all about the pastor or the people that currently attend. While I get, and even applaud, the church’s desire to motivate those attending to get out there and reach others we must also keep those others in mind. What do they think about this? Will they see it as just another stunt? Will it point them to Christ?
Too often one of the main ingredients for church marketing that sucks is that we only see it from our perspective, it’s difficult to see the other side…but vitally important that we do.
P Thompson
April 6, 2009
What I keep hearing in the majority of these comments is that the end (reaching more people for Christ) justifies the means (pastor in a box).
Really? I mean, really?
Is that what we believe?
Shouldn’t our means be thoroughly consistent with our end/goal?
Are we truly making disciples by means of stunts and gimmicks? Or in the end, will we discover that we are making something else entirely?
I think Jesus’ wilderness encounter with the Devil speaks to this issue. The Devil proposed stunts and gimmicks. Jesus’ commitment to the Father’s end prevented him from compromise.
Erik
April 8, 2009
I would like to retract my statements from this comment section, but alas I cannot. So therefore, I want to leave a link to my public apology for Pastor Ben Dailey:
I regret airing my disagreements publicly the way I did on my blog.
http://kowalker.com/2009/04/08/my-public-apology-to-ben-dailey/
Bob Adams
April 9, 2009
It boggles me why people put money into advertising their Easter services and the like. I have found people are going to go where they want to go or where they have been going year after year.
RM
April 9, 2009
Can’t we have a little fun & generate a little excitement at church? Or must we all be somber, wear sack-cloth, & have no joy? I understand where people get bent out of shape when there is all fluff but no substance, but at Calvary church… no worries! As a 38 year member who has seen countless lives change & transformed… including my own … Christians should spend energies exposing the darkness elsewhere… and non-believers should come & see for yourselves what’s going on. At Calvary there is worship, ministry, discipleship, Bible study, etc., etc., and wrap that all up in wonderful fellowship & fun. Make no mistake… the Pastors at Calvary put the Truth of the Gospel first & foremost… that is taken seriously to the upmost… but can we lighten up a bit on over-spiritualizing every aspect of a ministry that falls outside of current status quo? It’s great fun to anticipate what will happen with Pastor Ben & the Box… and that is just the extra bonus to the true ministry that really goes on in the heart of Calvary Church… Jesus is the true center…please come see for yourself!
roger
April 13, 2009
BOB, WAKE UP HOLMES!!