Dave Miller is the senior pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa, and editor of SBC Voices. He served as President of the 2017 SBC Pastors’ Conference. He is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic and SWBTS. He has pastored churches in Florida, Virginia, and Iowa. Twitter
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volfan007
9 years ago
I wish that the SBC would do a lot of these types of commercials on TV and on the radio. I believe they’d do a whole lot of good… they’d open a lot of doors for witnessing if nothing else. I guess it would be NAMB that would do this?
David
cb scott
9 years ago
Vol,
I do too. I asked this question back in ’87 when I was a trustee of one of our entities. I was told we did not have the money. That was a lie then–one of many. I do not know what the answer would be today, but whatever the answer, we still should do it.
The Mormons were really doing good with thier TV ads a while back. I havent been seeing many Mormon ads here lately. But, the ones they had about family were great commercials, which I’m sure made a lot of people feel good about Mormonism, and probably opened doors for them to try to win converts to their cult.
I just dont understand why the SBC leaders dont see this, and dont want to do it.
In regards to using the media. The President of SBC of SC was intervied on national MSNBC and asked about his groups reaction to Romney saying he was a Christian , Mormonism etc. This man had no real answers . He had not done his homework about the foundation of mormonism. He did say that South Carolinians are smarter voters than anyone else and then he quoted some Scripture . I couldn’t make heads or tails with his answer. He blew a chance to “advertise the truth” on national televison and do it politely. But he thought a lot of himself and he knew Scripture from a Bible that doesn’t resemble the Book of Mormon that started in up-state New York. With this commercial it’s obvious someones in tune .
In light of the recent big national ad campaigns from the Catholic Church and LDS, one would think that the SBC would follow suit. If the UMC and UCC can afford national ads, I’m sure the SBC can too.
You’re right. And, the Catholic Church ads are very well done. I’d imagine that those ads will make people think more positive about the Catholic Church, and I’d bet it’ll encourage some people to attend some Sunday.
The Church of Christ ads are pretty good, too.
I havent see many United Methodist ads here lately….but, they were good ads.
I mean, if these groups can do ads, then there’s no reason in the world that one of the largest denominations in the world, who wants to promote the Gospe, cant do some well done ads.
For whatever reason, the SBC has always been behind the 8 ball in using the various mediums available to us.
Why do we not use YouTube?
Seriously, why do we not sponsor a Bowl Game? The greater part of the financial support of the SBC lives in the SEC, ACC and Texas. We could do it. Why not?
Those Catholic ‘ads’ are ‘Come Home’ ads for what we call the ‘fallen aways’, who have Catholic hearts but don’t attend.
I doubt they will attract non-Catholics into the Church . . . the study period lasts for between one and three years, if those ads do attract non-Catholic people, they are in for a lot of serious ‘preparation’ as catechumens before Baptism and first Eucharist.
If we Southern Baptists would get with it in the use of the media, we could get your “fallen aways” to come and hear the gospel. We might get some of our “fallen aways” to come and hear the gospel.
I don’t want people to have “Catholic hearts.” I don’t want people to have Baptist, Methodist, Reformed, Lutheran, Assembly of God, or Presbyterian hearts.
I want people to have Born Again Hearts!!
I want Southern Baptists to use the media to share that men, women, boys and girls of all races, creeds, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds are sinners before a just and righteous God and the only way to peace with Him is through repentance of sin and faith in the biblical gospel which calls for a birth from above brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit due to the accomplished atonement of Jesus Christ in His sinless life, sacrificial death and glorious resurrection.
I want us to go on TV and declare that salvation is by Christ and Christ alone!
Surely, if American Catholics can use the medium of television to call the “fallen aways” back to the Catholic Church, we Southern Baptists can call lost sinners to faith in Christ alone for the salvation of their souls!
I just woke up . I googled the score . It’s possible they got a basketball game confused . John Wayne also died in ” The Cowboys ” that was on at the same time. I knew that ahead of time which is why I tuned in that game for some indeterminate amount of time . What I can’t remember is whether it was scott or miller or both that made a friendly encouragement concerning our favorite charity . God might approve of good advertisements ; however , I don’t think he cares about any game including high school baseball where one side has a huddle and a prayer to win before a game . I don’t think God finds it necessary to make favorites in a sports event where some children and some grown-ups are going to cry when they lose . John Wayne never looses .
If we use an ad campaign like this and we should, could we insist on leaving out the text to donate part. To me, it was terrific right up to that point.
Why would we have ask for donations? Our missionaries do not have to ask for donations. Our missional purposed ad campaigns would not have to have donation tags added either. CP money sends our Southern Baptist missionaries. CP money could finance our missional ad campaigns.
If we reached people through our ad campaigns, those people would be assimilated into local Southern Baptist churches. Some, maybe many, would learn biblical giving. Then we could send more missionaries and finance more missional ad campaigns.
More people may even become freshly enthused about giving to the CP. Bottom line, we Southern Baptist need to use the media aggressively to promote the gospel of Christ in a media saturated world. The wheel has already been invented. We just need to use it.
I think the folks who spend the money on behalf of the SBC can pretty much spend it on what they want to. If they don’t want to spend money on ads, then naturally they’ll say they can’t afford it. “We don’t want to” would be taking responsibility for their decisions.
That’s true with a lot of Christianity, and a lot about Christianity. The hard things to do are the ones we don’t want to do. Once you want to, God makes a way.
BOB, do you think the hesitation might be because of the differences among the ones who decide, as how to form the tone of the ad? What do you think might be holding up the decision to do it, other than the ‘we don’t have the money’ argument?
And how might those difficulties be overcome, so that an ad can be produced and shown?
The LDS are very sophisticated in their media relations, the “I’m a Mormon” campaign is the latest demonstration of that. The SBC is, well, unsophisticated. The UMC has done some fairly appealing national ad campaigns.
Can anyone recall the SBC doing a national campaign whose thrust was to improve our image rather than to introduce an evangelistic campaign?
On the SBC’s image, maybe Tebow could be enlisted to help and Wiley Drake could be paid to shut up.
cb scott
9 years ago
William,
I do not remember a national campaign to improve our image. Yet, maybe we should not be concerned with our image.
I think we should do national campaigns on television that presents the gospel–talk about Jesus. I think that if we would do that, we could trust God to take care of our image as He sees fit.
I think it would be a good thing if people who spend so much time watching television upon being asked who Southern Baptists are, due to seeing our ad campaigns, would say “They are the people who talk about Jesus all the time on TV.”
Added Information – Dr. James Dobson , founder of ” Focus On The Family ” resigned all responsibilities including radio , magazine, and Board positions finally in 2010 as reported under his name .
If this commercial was such a “good thing”, it should have been run during one of the MANY games when Tim Tebow WASN’T playing. Since it wasn’t, you have to wonder what their true motivation for running the ad was. Sort of like I still wonder why out of all the pro-life evangelicals in the NFL, Tebow alone was chosen for that Focus on the Family ad that was run before the Super Bowl (as opposed to, you know, a player whose team was actually in the game or something, imagine that).
Job,
Since you asked, I believe Tebow was chosen for the commercial because his mom was told by doctors that she should have had an abortion rather than give birth to him. Were there players for one of the teams in said Super Bowl who had a similar testimony that they should have used instead? If not, then your question answers itself.
Bill Pfister
9 years ago
Job,
I thought the timing of the commercial was brilliant, because just the week before, the most google phrase in the world was John 3:16, because Tebow had it printed under his eyes. The commercial not only told the watching audience what John 3:16 was, but it used children, promoting Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. I thought the timing and message were wonderful!
BTW, I’d love to see the SBC doing commercials promoting the Gospel, then maybe just ending it with an SBC logo or something.
I was all for Focus’ John 3:16 commercial. I have thought for a while now that the SBC should put out a few commercials.
Max
9 years ago
Now, that’s the best preachin’ I’ve heard in a long time! From the mouths of babes! The Gospel really is simple enough that even a child can understand it.
I wish that the SBC would do a lot of these types of commercials on TV and on the radio. I believe they’d do a whole lot of good… they’d open a lot of doors for witnessing if nothing else. I guess it would be NAMB that would do this?
David
Vol,
I do too. I asked this question back in ’87 when I was a trustee of one of our entities. I was told we did not have the money. That was a lie then–one of many. I do not know what the answer would be today, but whatever the answer, we still should do it.
CB,
The Mormons were really doing good with thier TV ads a while back. I havent been seeing many Mormon ads here lately. But, the ones they had about family were great commercials, which I’m sure made a lot of people feel good about Mormonism, and probably opened doors for them to try to win converts to their cult.
I just dont understand why the SBC leaders dont see this, and dont want to do it.
David
I think you are right Vol.
I think we have blown a great opportunity by not using the media. But the media has certainly used us.
What fund (currently depleted) would that money come from?
We could always close down the ERLC.
Cool with me.
In regards to using the media. The President of SBC of SC was intervied on national MSNBC and asked about his groups reaction to Romney saying he was a Christian , Mormonism etc. This man had no real answers . He had not done his homework about the foundation of mormonism. He did say that South Carolinians are smarter voters than anyone else and then he quoted some Scripture . I couldn’t make heads or tails with his answer. He blew a chance to “advertise the truth” on national televison and do it politely. But he thought a lot of himself and he knew Scripture from a Bible that doesn’t resemble the Book of Mormon that started in up-state New York. With this commercial it’s obvious someones in tune .
In light of the recent big national ad campaigns from the Catholic Church and LDS, one would think that the SBC would follow suit. If the UMC and UCC can afford national ads, I’m sure the SBC can too.
Big Daddy,
You are right also. I watched the recent Catholic Church commercial and it was very well done. So was that of the UMC a while back.
You are also right that we could/can afford it.
Big Daddy,
You’re right. And, the Catholic Church ads are very well done. I’d imagine that those ads will make people think more positive about the Catholic Church, and I’d bet it’ll encourage some people to attend some Sunday.
The Church of Christ ads are pretty good, too.
I havent see many United Methodist ads here lately….but, they were good ads.
I mean, if these groups can do ads, then there’s no reason in the world that one of the largest denominations in the world, who wants to promote the Gospe, cant do some well done ads.
David
For whatever reason, the SBC has always been behind the 8 ball in using the various mediums available to us.
Why do we not use YouTube?
Seriously, why do we not sponsor a Bowl Game? The greater part of the financial support of the SBC lives in the SEC, ACC and Texas. We could do it. Why not?
Those Catholic ‘ads’ are ‘Come Home’ ads for what we call the ‘fallen aways’, who have Catholic hearts but don’t attend.
I doubt they will attract non-Catholics into the Church . . . the study period lasts for between one and three years, if those ads do attract non-Catholic people, they are in for a lot of serious ‘preparation’ as catechumens before Baptism and first Eucharist.
That’s my point L’s.
If we Southern Baptists would get with it in the use of the media, we could get your “fallen aways” to come and hear the gospel. We might get some of our “fallen aways” to come and hear the gospel.
I don’t want people to have “Catholic hearts.” I don’t want people to have Baptist, Methodist, Reformed, Lutheran, Assembly of God, or Presbyterian hearts.
I want people to have Born Again Hearts!!
I want Southern Baptists to use the media to share that men, women, boys and girls of all races, creeds, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds are sinners before a just and righteous God and the only way to peace with Him is through repentance of sin and faith in the biblical gospel which calls for a birth from above brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit due to the accomplished atonement of Jesus Christ in His sinless life, sacrificial death and glorious resurrection.
I want us to go on TV and declare that salvation is by Christ and Christ alone!
Surely, if American Catholics can use the medium of television to call the “fallen aways” back to the Catholic Church, we Southern Baptists can call lost sinners to faith in Christ alone for the salvation of their souls!
Hi C.B.
I’m not sure we are talking about the same ad ?
If we are, let me know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QYeST_9FUg
Love this! I love Tebow ! Good presentation of the Gospel:)
I just woke up . I googled the score . It’s possible they got a basketball game confused . John Wayne also died in ” The Cowboys ” that was on at the same time. I knew that ahead of time which is why I tuned in that game for some indeterminate amount of time . What I can’t remember is whether it was scott or miller or both that made a friendly encouragement concerning our favorite charity . God might approve of good advertisements ; however , I don’t think he cares about any game including high school baseball where one side has a huddle and a prayer to win before a game . I don’t think God finds it necessary to make favorites in a sports event where some children and some grown-ups are going to cry when they lose . John Wayne never looses .
Jack Wolford,
God is always where His children are. God is where His children are not. God is. Why?
Because God is the Great I Am.
And because He is the Great I Am, He is in the huddle with His kids. And if His kids are in the other also, He is there too.
Lastly, God is interested in everything about His children even to the number of hairs on their heads.
If we use an ad campaign like this and we should, could we insist on leaving out the text to donate part. To me, it was terrific right up to that point.
I have to agree. To me that ended a really good ad on a sour note. Was the ad intended to preach the Gospel, or raise money?
I didnt even notice the donate part.
I would agree to not have that part in an ad, and why would we?
David
That is right Vol.
Why would we have ask for donations? Our missionaries do not have to ask for donations. Our missional purposed ad campaigns would not have to have donation tags added either. CP money sends our Southern Baptist missionaries. CP money could finance our missional ad campaigns.
If we reached people through our ad campaigns, those people would be assimilated into local Southern Baptist churches. Some, maybe many, would learn biblical giving. Then we could send more missionaries and finance more missional ad campaigns.
More people may even become freshly enthused about giving to the CP. Bottom line, we Southern Baptist need to use the media aggressively to promote the gospel of Christ in a media saturated world. The wheel has already been invented. We just need to use it.
When is the last time anything Focus on the Family produced DIDN’T have a plea for funds?
The same day the Red Cross and the Salvation Army “DIDN’T have a plea for funds.” The exact, same day.
Or the local Baptist church, I guess.
I think the folks who spend the money on behalf of the SBC can pretty much spend it on what they want to. If they don’t want to spend money on ads, then naturally they’ll say they can’t afford it. “We don’t want to” would be taking responsibility for their decisions.
That’s true with a lot of Christianity, and a lot about Christianity. The hard things to do are the ones we don’t want to do. Once you want to, God makes a way.
Bob,
You are right. We do what we want to do.
BOB, do you think the hesitation might be because of the differences among the ones who decide, as how to form the tone of the ad? What do you think might be holding up the decision to do it, other than the ‘we don’t have the money’ argument?
And how might those difficulties be overcome, so that an ad can be produced and shown?
Focus on the Family had a great commercial on John 3:16.
May God continue to use the influence of Tim Tebow. May God continue to bless and protect him. Even in defeat you can have a great testimony.
I don’t agree on closing the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (erlc.com). They have a great ministry in our convention and nation.
But I do agree that the SBC should do commercials like this. We have once in a great while. We should do so on a regular basis.
David R. Brumbelow
The LDS are very sophisticated in their media relations, the “I’m a Mormon” campaign is the latest demonstration of that. The SBC is, well, unsophisticated. The UMC has done some fairly appealing national ad campaigns.
Can anyone recall the SBC doing a national campaign whose thrust was to improve our image rather than to introduce an evangelistic campaign?
On the SBC’s image, maybe Tebow could be enlisted to help and Wiley Drake could be paid to shut up.
William,
I do not remember a national campaign to improve our image. Yet, maybe we should not be concerned with our image.
I think we should do national campaigns on television that presents the gospel–talk about Jesus. I think that if we would do that, we could trust God to take care of our image as He sees fit.
I think it would be a good thing if people who spend so much time watching television upon being asked who Southern Baptists are, due to seeing our ad campaigns, would say “They are the people who talk about Jesus all the time on TV.”
Added Information – Dr. James Dobson , founder of ” Focus On The Family ” resigned all responsibilities including radio , magazine, and Board positions finally in 2010 as reported under his name .
By the way, can any of you young whippersnapper computer geniuses find out how much FotF paid for that ad?
I’m no young whippersnapper, but I’ll bet it cost more than $25!
David 🙂
If this commercial was such a “good thing”, it should have been run during one of the MANY games when Tim Tebow WASN’T playing. Since it wasn’t, you have to wonder what their true motivation for running the ad was. Sort of like I still wonder why out of all the pro-life evangelicals in the NFL, Tebow alone was chosen for that Focus on the Family ad that was run before the Super Bowl (as opposed to, you know, a player whose team was actually in the game or something, imagine that).
Job,
Do you think the “commercial” was a “good thing” or a bad thing?
Job,
Since you asked, I believe Tebow was chosen for the commercial because his mom was told by doctors that she should have had an abortion rather than give birth to him. Were there players for one of the teams in said Super Bowl who had a similar testimony that they should have used instead? If not, then your question answers itself.
Job,
I thought the timing of the commercial was brilliant, because just the week before, the most google phrase in the world was John 3:16, because Tebow had it printed under his eyes. The commercial not only told the watching audience what John 3:16 was, but it used children, promoting Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. I thought the timing and message were wonderful!
BTW, I’d love to see the SBC doing commercials promoting the Gospel, then maybe just ending it with an SBC logo or something.
I was all for Focus’ John 3:16 commercial. I have thought for a while now that the SBC should put out a few commercials.
Now, that’s the best preachin’ I’ve heard in a long time! From the mouths of babes! The Gospel really is simple enough that even a child can understand it.