Christian Advertising FAIL WTF
August 4, 2009
Okay people with half a brain can you tell us what is wrong here? I’d give you a clue but it seems too obvious.
This is labeled under Ministry Wisdom and the wisdom here is think of better titles for a book series.
Posts by David | Site Search Tags: Christian Advertising Fail WTF, Christian Advertising, WTF, Where’s the Faith, wtfbooks.com, Christian Piatt, Brandon Gilvin | Translate Rule of Christ Jesus.
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WTF? LOL
Do they really not know what WTF stands for?
I think the message of Jesus is attractive enough that one shouldn’t have to resort to tactics like this.
Their target audience is teens but still.
Ooo, maybe I should write a series entitled, “Come worship the bastard child with me”
I think they are really just trying to reach people where they are.
I am all for trying to reach somebody where they are but I think Christians should set the example. Jesus hung out with the prostitutes but that didn’t mean he sold himself for sex.
Maybe an extreme example?
True, but I don’t see these guys acting inappropriately, except maybe in trying to adopt an internet phrase including profanity. Maybe they should name their ministry. Faith Uniting Christian Koinonia if they really want to get people’s attention.
That’s something that would end up on Failblog too.
Hey!
Brandon Gilvin of the WTF series here….Thanks for the plug, though it’s obviously not an intentional promotion on your part.
Just to let you know, the WTF? Double Entendre was very purposeful, as was the title of the first book in the series. We look at it as an opportunity to be playful and provocative in order to break down resistance to tough topics, and start real, authentic dialogue about serious issues like Sex/uality and Faith and Politics. It’s not for everybody, but hey…what essay is?
And Mike, I laughed out loud when I saw “Faith Uniting Christian Koinonia”…reminded me of that Van Halen album from the 80s/90s.
Peace,
blg
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Though I am not sure I agree with your tactics I do hope you are able to reach others for Christ. May God bless your ministry.
Brandon, yeah, I thought about Van Halen’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge after posting it.
I’ll just echo what Brandon said, as he’s way smarter than I am
I’m just glad to see people discussing this from either side.
Peace,
Christian Piatt
Gotta say the WTF? threw me the first time I saw it, but when I realized what it meant I thought, Where’s the faith indeed? So I got the button and follow the blogs and tweet with these guys. And I’m a Boomer!
I do know that I’ve heard youth and young adults telling each other ‘Dude, you gotta read this stuff and check out their blogs.”
So, FAIL? IMO, NOT.
Piatt and Rev. Gilvin are great writers. I expect the series to be provocative and scholarly.
Lara here (co-editor and contributor to the first book). I won’t waste time repeating what Brandon and Christian have already said – I’ll just throw in a hearty “ditto” and be done with it. But, I do want to clarify that these books are not intended/written for teens. While we realize that it is inevitable that many teens will read these books (and if they do so, it would be great if their parents read the books with them – how excellent would it be if the questions addressed and stories shared in these books helped a few parents and teens talk about things like sexuality and faith?!), these books are written quite purposefully for young adults and anyone else who has found their tough questions pushed to the margins in church discussion. Hope this clarification helps as we all struggle to answer the question: Where’s The Faith?
Hey, at first when I started watching the WTF video I actually laughed, but then when I realized that it was intentional it intrigued me to keep watching. I went to school for Advertising and Marketing and I think it’s a great catch for the target audience. It’s clever and really funny.
I have no doubt that putting WTF in your slogan will gain attention but I am just not sure it is the best marketing approach.