UU iPod Strategy

Now that I have “signed the book” at my UU Church I decided to participate in a discussion on what should the UUism of the near future look like? I took the tack of someone at a pitch meeting and this is what I wrote.

Some thoughts…

UU needs to become media savvy to grow. It at least needs a UCC-styled “God is still speaking” campaign to get UU back in the news and update the UU image.

Start small in underground and “hip” magazines (and blogs). Go for progressive Christian zines, Pagan zines, Buddhist zines, LBGT zines, etc etc. Send a message of vitality and inclusive faith. Make it known that we have a challenge ahead of us and that we need people who hear the call. Don’t be wishy-washy, make it sound like this is for people with a fire to be a part of something bigger than themselves, none of this “you may already be a UU” stuff.

I see ads for Christians that shows a modern-day Mary looking for a place to give birth and finding that the UU Church is the only “inn” that has room for her. I want us invoking the REAL JESUS. In fact that would make a great series of ads.

I see ads for Pagans that stress a commitment to social justice from a earth-based spiritual perspective. Show footage of the Pagan Bloc singing and chanting, fade to a group of Pagans at a UU Church.

I see an ad that points out how the UU Church was taking the lead in supporting the LBGT community. I want a “never again” ad that talks about our role in the Matthew Shepard case. I want BIG photos of us marrying gays. Run them in Bridal magazines.

Similar messages would be made for Buddhists, Humanists, one for those who adhere to more than one faith tradition. I want to see ads that portray us as BRIMMING with faith and God(s).

We need to remind the world that we are a “faith” again. I want to see ministers in stoles and ceremonial garb. I want smells and bells! Capture imagination! No more appearing in cheap suits!

Multiple services per week! With different focuses! Radical Christian service! Buddhist chanting! Spiral dancing! Invite the press!

Sponsor rock concerts (that benefit worthy causes), provide free space to activist groups.

Viral marketing! Viral marketing! If we are going to “I-Pod” ourselves then we need to “cool” the “brand”.

Once you have peoples attention we must constantly hound the press! Start submitting essays about our long history of social justice to secular magazines (time to ask all prominent/established UU writers to come to the plate). Hit all the intellectuals over and over again. Take stands on issues often and in sight of a media outlet.

Most importantly, have programs designed for these newcomers that help them avoid the dull meetings at first. Have an “outer court” for those who are just getting their feet wet. DO NOT WRANGLE NEWCOMERS INTO DOING GRUNT WORK! Make the first couple months effortless, attending UU-sponsored demonstrations, attending film discussions, attending fun and meaningful worship.

Q. How do you drive a UU out of town?
A. Burn a question mark on their lawn.

…the following joke must become irrelevant.

People should think UU and think of what we actually believe in and stand for, we need to stop being a punch-line.

I not only want us sponsoring inter-faith events I want to make sure we are visible at them. Spokes-people, we need some talking heads who are able to take on right-wing pundits and smile!

We need to show the world that we are alive and have fire in the belly. We can do it. It would at least be a start.

Tags: Neopaganism