St Luke's Church Eccleshill, Bradford, UK

Advertising God

Part of the "Real Life" page 5 "Margaret Duggan looks round the dioceses" weekly feature in the Church Times, 5th September 2003

I'm sure I'm not the only one to crnige when the woman in the L'Oreal advertisment smirks "Because I'm worth it". It has even driven me to switch off the television. But it was the inspiration for one of the posters outside St Luke's Eccleshill, just off the Bradford ring road. "Jesus died, because you're worth it." * "It's not one of our best efforts," says the Rev'd Dr John Hartley, the Vicar.

It is the tradition of the church, started by his predecessor, to have provocative posters using contemporary catchphrases. And because they are changed every two months or so ("getting a signwriter to do them costs Ł28 a throw"), they do get noticed and commented on. "David is coming" heralded a visit from the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev'd David Young. ** People sidled up to say "Who's David?" and interest was aroused. The local school chaplain uses some of the quotes in his assemblies. Nobody is so naive as to believe the posters bring people flocking into the church, but "they help to keep the rumour of God alive," Dr Hartley says.

* See the article in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus for a photo of the poster.

** Actually the Bishop of Bradford is the Rt Rev'd David James. David Young was a previous bishop of Ripon!

	St Luke's Church, Eccleshill, Bradford, UK Bringing the good news of Jesus to the people of Eccleshill. Visitors are warmly welcome to all our events and services.
Home Page. Index of articles. On this topic: T&A 1st article T&A 2nd article Church Times Follow-up article. Christianity & Renewal item behind this story. Further reading: Christianity & Renewal Home Page.	Advertising God Part of the "Real Life" page 5 "Margaret Duggan looks round the dioceses" weekly feature in the Church Times, 5th September 2003 I'm sure I'm not the only one to crnige when the woman in the L'Oreal advertisment smirks "Because I'm worth it". It has even driven me to switch off the television. But it was the inspiration for one of the posters outside St Luke's Eccleshill, just off the Bradford ring road. "Jesus died, because you're worth it." * "It's not one of our best efforts," says the Rev'd Dr John Hartley, the Vicar. It is the tradition of the church, started by his predecessor, to have provocative posters using contemporary catchphrases. And because they are changed every two months or so ("getting a signwriter to do them costs Ł28 a throw"), they do get noticed and commented on. "David is coming" heralded a visit from the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev'd David Young. ** People sidled up to say "Who's David?" and interest was aroused. The local school chaplain uses some of the quotes in his assemblies. Nobody is so naive as to believe the posters bring people flocking into the church, but "they help to keep the rumour of God alive," Dr Hartley says. * See the article in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus for a photo of the poster. ** Actually the Bishop of Bradford is the Rt Rev'd David James. David Young was a previous bishop of Ripon!
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