wfn.org | Igniting Ministry components

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Aug. 28, 2000 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally·(615)742-5470·Nashville, Tenn.     10-21-71B{387}

NOTE TO EDITORS: This may be used as a sidebar to UMNS story #386.

The Igniting Ministry campaign comprises:

·	TV spots to help bring people into a relationship with Christ and
United Methodist churches. Because television is the language of the people
- the kind of people Igniting Ministry is trying to reach - the purchase of
time on nationwide cable TV networks is the primary component of the
campaign. All spots will be closed-captioned, and selected spots will be
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. United Methodist Communications
is contributing $1 million yearly in matching grants for use by conferences
and local churches. Three rounds of matching grants of up to $50,000 per
applicant will be implemented annually. Application forms are available by
calling (877) 281-6535 or going to http/www.ignitingministry.org on the
World Wide Web.
	
·	Regional training to help local churches market themselves and hone
their welcoming and invitational skills. Those receiving matching grants
will be asked to participate in one of the regional training events
sponsored by UMCom with assistance from the churchwide Board of
Discipleship. Training events will be offered beginning next spring. For
more information, contact the Igniting Ministry office.
	
·	Planning kit to ensure that what the ads show is available in local
churches. The kit is a practical "how-to" guide to enhance welcoming and
marketing efforts. Available next spring, the kit will include everything a
local church needs to launch its own media campaign: TV and radio spots,
print ads, sample press releases and other resources, along with ordering
information for promotional items.
	
·	A Web presence to provide seeking individuals information about the
United Methodist Church. Each spot is tagged with a special Web address
designed for the "unchurched." The site will offer a way to search for a
United Methodist church by location and will include a map. The Web site and
search capability will be available next summer.  
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United Methodist News Service
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