NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church is better known and is seen in a more favorable light since the beginning of the Igniting Ministry media campaign, according to the newest research released by The Barna Group. The report is perhaps the most significant news yet that the campaign is working, according to the Igniting Ministry News Update.
The Barna Group stated in its annual report that "the messages being communicated are understood, and better still, are believable and important to the audience. These messages also appear to be effectively shifting people's attitudes about The United Methodist Church."
Awareness levels are now at 19 percent (up from 3 percent in 2000). Willingness to attend is now at 49 percent (up from 35 percent in 2001). First-time attendance in test churches is at 19 percent (up from 14 percent just a year ago).The media impact research performed by Barna surveys both 1,200 unchurched individuals across the United States and more than 160 test churches that track first-time attendance.
According to Barna, "overall, there has been significant and favorable growth in the perceptions of The United Methodist Church since last year and especially since 2002. Exploring the differences between 2002 and 2003 we found that eight of the nine perceptions had become more favorable (well beyond the range of sampling error). Furthermore, the increases in the positive positioning of the United Methodists are even more substantial when compared to 2002."
Delegates to General Conference, the church's top legislative body, approved continuing Igniting Ministry and the promise: "Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. The people of The United Methodist Church." The conference embraced the need to expand the effort and address additional seekers using messages of hope and healing in national media.
The conference also approved increasing the financial commitment to the evangelistic effort, which includes placing national cable television messages and producing a variety of local advertising messages. Matching Grants will be expanded to include not only TV, but also radio, outdoor and cinema advertising.
The Back-to-school schedule of United Methodist Church television messages will run for two weeks starting the week of Sept. 6, on 15 national cable networks. The commercials to be aired will include the newest Spanish-language spot, "You Don't Have To."
