Jeff Boes, moderator of the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in St. Joseph, Michigan, wrote an interesting article for Church Marketing Sucks about his congregation’s experience with positive picketing. Boes shared these “notes on our tactics and lessons learned:”
- Make it quick and easy
- None of our picket signs identify the church
- Good locations and good causes
- Don’t ask permission
- Keep learning and improving
So What?
Negative picketing done in the name of Christ generates a great deal of controversy, captures the attention of many (e.g. the case that has now reached the Supreme court), and suggests to the world that Christianity is primarily a religion of hate. Positive picketing is one creative response that seeks to display what Christians stand for rather than what a few extremists stand against.
The vast majority of respondents to a poll conducted by Church Marketing Sucks indicated that their congregation would not be inclined to participate in positive picketing.
- Should your congregation be involved in a ministry of positive picketing? Why or why not?
- What are some recent examples of how your congregation has shown its support for causes or community efforts?
- In the community is your congregation known primarily for what it is for or what it is against? If it is the latter, what else can you do to change those impressions?
More information on positive picketing can be found on its facebook page.