Omaha daily bee., 1912-08-13
WHY THE CHURCHES SHOUD ADVERTISE
By William Ellis Editor Aeld The Continent Secretary tn
Publicity Commission, Men and Re ligion Congress

Strange new tendencies are abroad in
the religious world today OF these none
is more tangible or striking than the
movement toward the use of advertising
by religious organizations.
Why should the churches advertise
Primarily, because they have an invita-
tion which should reach every person
within their fields. NOWADAYS the
churches are wholly committed to the
proposition that they are bound to go
after the uninteres,ed as well as the
Interested. In the case of the local
church this invitation needs to carry
with 1t statement of the facts involved
the location Of the church. its hours of
service, the name of its minister and the
character Of its meeting. In order to
command attention. this invitation should
be made as attractive and forceful as
possible Itsis not enough to plant a
church and open its doors and expect
the people to enter BY all the wlnsome-
ness OF love and conservation they are
to be compelled to come in
The right sort of sign at the front of
a church building might be sufficient If
everybody In the community passed that
spot Since this is rarely the case. the
proprlety of putting other signs In better
places is manifest Thus the use Of cards
and circulars and newspapers Is brought
under consideration BY the dignlfied use
of these. and the avoidance of a sensa
tionalism which merely serves trivial
curiosity, or ministers to the vanity of
the messenger the presence and appeal
of religion in the. community may per-
sistently be brought before the attention
of the many who have grown thought
less concerning the church and it's
claims.
The right sort of advertising conveys
not only an invitation. but also gives an
impression Of the welcome which awaits
everybody within the walls of the church.
There Is q widespread distrust of the
reality of this welcome. Many persons
believe that they are not wanted in
church. They say the churches are
merely clubs, and, they often harshly
add. "of hypocrites and pharisees., A
persisting policy in church advertising
should be to disabuse the minds of the
public Of any suspicion that the church
is not geneuninely interested in all men,
and that she does not want everybody,
poor and rich, within her fold
Sensible advertising will also have a re-
fiex influence upon congregational life.
The effort to make the goods as ad-
vertised Is to be found In religion as we'll
as In business. Selling campaigns always
stimulate the factory. A congregation
naturally elevates its tone and methods
to meet the expectations OF the public.
A wholesome sense Of solidarity and re-
is created In church by an
advertising campaign which Is not mere
exploitation Of the preacher or of SER
mons. A proper pride. which may be
developed into responsibility and activity
follows upon the consciousness that the
belong to q church which Is
worth advertising, and which is alert to
Its opportunities. This wise, stereotyped
advertising phrase, 1--WE are advertised
by our loving friends, indicates the best
Of all ways of appealing to q community
Grateful patients make a doctors busi-
ness; and men and women who have been