It looks like the Catholic church is ramping up their “Catholics Come Home” campaign. The LA Times reported that the diocese of Sacramento is “preparing to air several thousand prime-time TV commercials in English and Spanish, inviting inactive Catholics to return to their religious roots.”
With less than 15% of Catholics attending church on a weekly basis in Sacramento alone, they’re hoping this campaign will change the tide.
In addition to Sacramento, dioceses in Chicago, Omaha, Providence, R.I., and four other cities will launch the “Catholics Come Home” advertising blitz during Advent, the period before Christmas.
Some of the video ads are pretty moving, including the one titled “Epic.”
We’ve covered some of these “We Are [insert denomination name here]” campaigns in the past, and this one from the Catholics is no exception. As Kevin said, “Maybe it’s the denominational hopscotch I’ve played throughout my life, but a denomination doesn’t define my identity. I’m a Christian, first and foremost.” I agree that we are definitely moving beyond the times when our religious affiliation defined our status in the community.
In my opinion, the opportunity for denominations lies not in their ability to rally around a set of beliefs, but instead in their ability to rally people based on the DNA of the gathered tribe. In other words, beyond doctrinal beliefs, what makes XYZ Denomination tick?
For the Catholic Church, they’re making pretty strong claims on how they’ve influenced the world over the centuries, but their message ends with the obvious ask of “come to this building on the weekend.” Excuse me Catholic Church, but all of the claims you just made came not from weekend worshippers but weekday workers. Yes, church services do have their place for instilling Scripture, learning and listening to the Spirit of God, and for the community of Christ-followers. I’m not suggesting we do away with them.
I am suggesting that we understand what really defines us. The DNA of a denomination or tribe of people is beyond beliefs, it also includes behaviors. These behaviors are the reason why people continue to assemble (or not assemble).
It’s a new day for denominations and it’s going to take more than ad campaigns and catchy slogans for them to survive and thrive. It’s going to take some serious soul searching for why and how they should exist.
Jon Allen
September 23, 2009
I agree with you. In my short experience I have found that people aren’t drawn to an organization, they are drawn to people they identify with. If we can convince people of the value of what we are doing, they will want to join us.
Isn’t the really sad reality here that the catholic church in these areas are having to spend big bucks on an advertising campaign to convince people who have lost interest to come back?
Thom
September 23, 2009
Dear Brad, for Catholics, the Sacraments are essential for performing the “weekday work.” Both are important, and they go hand in hand.
the one at church
September 23, 2009
It is my experience that Catholics have more of an identity in their denomination (I always want to type that as “demonination”) than many of the individual Protestant denominations. Maybe Southern Baptist is comparable. This is in part because of centuries worth of tradition and trappings that Protestants largely eliminated or stripped down.
ryan guard
September 23, 2009
Amen amigo.
Denominations don’t mean jack squat to this generation.
Not to me, anyways. I’ve been a pastor for 9 years and I couldn’t really even tell you what denomination I am. It’s a stupid conversation for pastors who spend more time in Starbucks than they do in people’s lives.
I’m sorry I said that about Starbucks.
Mike Hosey
September 24, 2009
Just need to correct a common misconception — Southern Baptist is not technically a denomination. It is an association of likeminded church’s. Each individual church sets its own rules and standards. Now, in recent years, there have been those who have tried to require members of the association to adhere strictly to a set of beliefs, but this has not happened yet.
With all that being said, I would caution against the idea of losing doctrinal integrity. Once you’ve done that you run the risk of losing believing in things that are essential to being saved and a Christian. Now, that doesn’t have to be included in a marketing campaign of course. Just about any denomination can say in their ad: “we believe that Jesus died for the sins of the world.” “we believe that Jesus has a plan for your life.” etc… Now please join us at 1st bapticostal church of the lutheran saints on Sunday at 11am.
That way you hit the essential stuff common to most Christians without compromising your denominations doctrinal integrity in the ad.
Marvin
September 24, 2009
While beliefs may be the foundation for a church, I believe that marketing makes up the rest.
Thom
September 24, 2009
The more I go over the article, the more misstatements and generalizations I find.
I’ve read this blog for a while now, and this is incredibly disappointing. It’s not the well-written, well-researched, well-reasoned material that usually fills these pages.
Brice Bohrer
October 1, 2009
When did Catholic become a denomination?
misty
November 21, 2009
wow! I was feeling really down and looking for a uplifting message when I stumbled onto this via search engine. all I’ve seen is everyone whining about everyone else. thanks, but no thanks.
misty
November 21, 2009
wow! I was feeling really down and looking for a uplifting message when I stumbled onto this via search engine. all I’ve seen is everyone whining about everyone else. thanks, but no thanks.
Carson Weber
December 18, 2009
This post got one point entirely wrong: The Catholic Church isn’t a denomination. It’s the Church founded by Jesus Christ himself, and we don’t simply gather to worship on weekends.. We worship and consume the flesh and flood of the God-Man really and truly and substantially present in the Most Holy Eucharist. That’s simply profound, amazing, and exactly what the early Church believed. Confused? Read this scholarly work: http://is.gd/5t5Mb
Mrs P
January 28, 2010
their campaign makes me laugh, actually. What are they doing to address the Priests who molest boys? WHY would I want to go back to a Church who blatently ignores this atrocity. I have denounced my Catholic roots.
Newman
March 13, 2010
“This post got one point entirely wrong: The Catholic Church isn’t a denomination. It’s the Church founded by Jesus Christ himself, and we don’t simply gather to worship on weekends” you have got to be kidding. The holy Roman Church did not exist in the times of Jesus and most early Christian (followers of Christ) were Jews. As for the claims of the Holy Roman Empire that they began scientific thought??? Socrates, Plato, do these names ring a bell! The Holy Roman Empire struck down many great people of learning, Galileo …and so many more. The Catholic Church came to be through the works of Constantine a pagan violent power hungry man. His vision of the cross on the warrior’s shields was a tactical maneuver to join the pagans and early Christians into one army. If the church is interested in the truth open the vaults of the Vatican and sell or donate your hidden treasures for the good of all humankind.
katherine
March 20, 2010
i am ashamed of the catholic church.re. child sex abuse..i was raised a catholic/the church can stick it….frustate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gail Herzog
March 22, 2010
Once again, the Catholic Church is using GUILT as a tool. The Catholic Church opposes Birth Control, yet refuses to help suppot those Families who have lots of children. Once again, the Catholic Church is only concerned about the Church, as it was in the early days of Catholicism. AND POWER AND MONEY!!!! No wonder so many people have left the catholic church.
brad
December 20, 2010
everyone is missing the point. JESUS!!!
Brian
March 17, 2011
To the poster who said the Catholic Church was started after Constantine. Check your facts. Early Christian extra-biblical writings speak of the Eucharist as early as 60-90 A.D. St. Ignatius of Antioch in 109 A.D. says that wherever the bishop is present, “there is the Catholic Church.”
Phil
January 3, 2012
“Imagine. . . .” John Lennon
candice
January 12, 2012
Wow. I am not Catholic, but I do work as a Marketing Director for a Catholic church. I usually come to this website because I have found your articles to be an overall great resource for learning “goods & bads” of religious marketing overall. However, this post was the worst piece I have read in all of my research. It completely opinionated and did nothing for research whatsoever. Thanks for nothing.