Compass Bible Church, in Aliso Viejo, CA, were given an opportunity to run a 30-second ad promoting their Easter service at some local movie theaters.
Senior Pastor Mike Fabarez said:
We were told we could promote our Easter services with a commercial that featured the date, time and place with some fun bunnies and eggs thrown in, but for us, Easter isn’t about springtime fun, it’s the most important day in Christian history, and we won’t water that message down.
Here’s the ad:
Do you think taking a stand was the right thing to do?
Or should they have followed the direction of the private movie theaters and created an ad to their liking?
[via Charisma]
Joel says
Totally good for them.
Eric Dye says
Thanks for weighing in, Joel!
April says
I think taking a stand is always right, if done in love and properly.
Eric Dye says
Right on! π
Jordan says
I don’t want to sound critical, but was this done in iMovie? Really??
OK, I’m done.
But seriously…was the reason it was rejected because of Jesus or because the “content” was too controversial? (I.e. ‘did Jesus really die on cross, etc.) But I definitely see their point, and I’m glad they’re taking a stand.
Eric Dye says
The facts about Jesus. Had they had bunnies and eggs, they would have played it.
James Brooks says
I’m surprised that this ad was rejected. Sad times.
Eric Dye says
True.
Josh Clark says
As advertisements for a service goes, I thought this one was outstanding. No emotional grasping, no finger pointing, and they never said why YOU should believe…but rather why WE believe in the Resurrection. I think it was tragic it was rejected.
Eric Dye says
You are very right!
Hopefully more people saw this ad because it was rejected!
Josh Brickey says
I think that the church should have adhered to the guidelines that the theater set forward. They basically blew an incredible opportunity to attract some people who normally wouldn’t even know or give a rip about their church. Instead, by the church refusing to do this they not only lost that opportunity to make a positive impression…they probably just built another barrier between those that they are trying to reach.
Think about it. Will the church get more exposure from this? Sure. Will non Christians flock to their church because of their video stand? Highly doubtful. I’m sure a lot of Christians will applaud them for it, but non-Christians will be even more closed to the Gospel.
Don’t get me wrong…I’m all for taking a stand for Christ. Yet sometimes people can’t see Christ because of our so called “stand.” We shouldn’t expect non Christians, businesses, or any other organizations to adjust to us.
Just my two cents.
Eric Dye says
I think you left more than two cents π
You brought-up a lot of really good points, Josh.
There’s a lot of things to consider in this situation.
Jordan says
You brought up some really good points here.
They shouldn’t have been surprised or even upset about the movie theater rejecting their ad when there were very clear guidelines that needed to be followed, EVEN if they weren’t “right.”
I think we as Christians need to learn a little respect and stop thinking everything is about us. π
Stephen Bateman says
So the church is unhappy that they didn’t follow directions?
I think it’s a solid ad, way above average, but if you intentionally don’t follow your guidelines, stop crying. π
Eric Dye says
Or, at least have a back-up on ad on hand to re-submit. I’m all about pushing the edges, but you have to be prepared when there’s push-back. Plus, what was the goal of having an ad? Get people to your church … THEN hit them with the Gospel.
Word.
Gus says
Hey All – I actually made the ad and have been reading articles and such for a while on ChurchCrunch never really thought anything I worked on would get posted here-
A few things:
The ad was actually created in Motion not iMovie (the quality is really degraded in the YouTube video but there are a few things I would like to change – it is what it is. There are many subtle layers that would have played great with the soundtrack in a theater setting.
If you are just reading the story from the quote above – that is line we got after we submitted that ad —
The guideline presented to us did not say anything about using the name of Jesus or promoting a religious figure – after the ad was created and submitted, we were told that we could not use the name of a deity or God, Jesus etc….
I do like a lot of points that Josh brings up but alas it was not my choice to go this route – but we did get way more people viewing, talking, asking about our church (good or bad is a highly debated point.) What’s that old adage about free PR – I am sure that all of this looks differently from all of our different perspectives. One thing we do know is that in the greater LA area – a highly populated location more people heard about our church than if the ad had run in just the three theaters…interesting
Hopefully in the end we can pray and hope that God does a mighty work this Easter as we celebrate and proclaim the importance and truth about the resurrection!
Eric Dye says
I am so glad you commented!!!
First off, thank you for getting all the details straight. It is very much appreciated.
Second of all, I think the ad was great and as a sound designer myself, I imagine that it sounded a w e s o m e in the theaters sound system! So, hats off for high-quality.
Finally, thank you for your voicing your heart felt conclusion. I couldn’t agree with you more:
“Hopefully in the end we can pray and hope that God does a mighty work this Easter as we celebrate and proclaim the importance and truth about the resurrection!”
Mark Comfort says
I don’t want to come across as combative, but in many cases American Christians are perceived as lukewarm by Christians in other parts of the world because of our near-total focus on God’s love, to the exclusion of His sovereignty, His desire for us to be 100% committed to him, and His necessary chastisement of believers and unbelievers. We have watered Him down to a benevolent, ineffectual Santa Claus who will welcome everyone into Heaven, irrespective of our belief (or lack thereof) in Him and His Son, Jesus.
My God loves me, and expects me to adhere as closely as I can to His teachings and “roadmap for life” as defined in the Bible. Even secular psychologists talk of what some refer to as a “God-sized hole in each person’s soul” — every person has to accept or reject God, and accept the consequences for that choice. If Jesus had handed out chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks, do you really think His message would have endured for centuries? Would followers have died in order to preserve the doctrine of Easter egg hunts and candy?
So, yes, we should reach out to others, to share the Gospel (good news) with them. But even Jesus preached (in the parable of the sower) that many might hear but only a few would bear fruit. Let us be among the fruit!
God bless, and, Rejoice! His Son is risen!