CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Identity Project, an effort to raise awareness of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is growing as grass roots support increases.
This multimedia project uses television, radio, print, web and outdoor advertising to reach those without a church home, said Kristi Bangert, Identity Project manager and director for internal church communication and marketing, ELCA Department for Communication.
"Popular media is the best way to connect with people today," Bangert said. "We were looking for a way to reach people."
Carried out by interested members of the ELCA's 65 synods and 11,000 congregations, the project requires local clergy and lay members to attend a training event. "Training events are facilitated by synod communicators and evangelism and outreach partners," Bangert said.
Since January, 58 training events have been attended by 1,862 clergy and lay people, Bangert said. Some 17 events are scheduled from July through the end of November, and Bangert said she has received several requests for events in 2000. Events are scheduled by request from synods and congregations.
The events have two purposes -- to show participants how to use the project materials and to help them hone their evangelism and hospitality skills, Bangert said.
"Inviting and welcoming the stranger," is a goal of the project, she said.
Once representatives from a synod or congregation attend the training event, they are eligible for a matching fund grant from Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits organization based in Appleton, Wis. Grant applications from 105 congregations and eight synods have resulted in distribution of $257,733 in matching funds, said Bangert.
The multimedia campaign is a first for the ELCA and is based on extensive research, she said.
Advertisements use language that those outside the church can understand, Bangert said. "We've been very careful not to talk to ourselves," she said.
The campaign includes a separate home page, www.sharingfaith.orgo, where those unfamiliar with the church can learn basic ideas about the ELCA, access resources and locate congregations in their area.
Editors: Samples of ELCA print, television and radio advertisements can
be obtained by contacting John Brooks, director for news and
information, telephone (773) 380-2958, or e-mail jbrooks@elca.org.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
