Tim Tebow is Going to the Super Bowl…kind of
Tim Tebow is going to be in this year’s Super Bowl!… kind of…for 30 seconds…let me explain. Focus on the Family purchased Super Bowl ad time that stars Tebow in their “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life” theme. Chances are, it will be a pro-life message from Tebow’s personal life concerning his mother.
In 1987, Pam Tebow became sick on a missions trip to the Philippines while pregnant. She was urged by the doctors to abort her fifth child, but ignored them, and later gave birth to Tim. Tim has since won the 2007 Heisman Trophy, two national championships, and just crushed several SEC and Florida school records. And through all of this success, he has carried a strong and vocal Christian testimony.
There’s no details to the commercial yet, besides the theme, stars, and that CBS has approved the script. Pro-life groups like Focus on the Family has been trying to purchase major network ad space for large venues such as the American Idol finale and the Super Bowl for a while, and this is the first time that they’ve been successful. Reportedly, Super Bowl ads are selling between $2.5 million to $2.8 million. Focus on the Family did not pay for this out of their general fund, but rather a handful of “very generous and committed friends”.
So this brings me to my question for today: Really?
$2.5 million for 30 seconds? I’m not arguing their cause, and I feel that marketing is as big of a key in ministry as any other business, but what do you think?
Hypothetically, in a not-for-profit ministry or church, you were given a large sum of money. Would you first look to help out another ministry/family? Put it in a jar on top of your fridge for a rainy day? Invest in a large marketing campaign to further your cause?
Waste of money? None of my business? Smart move? Go Gators? What are your thoughts? Sound off in the comments!
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Honestly dude…. $2.5mil is ridiculous. How many missionaries could that help? How many Bibles can we print in another language for that? How many ministers/missionaries can we send through college with that money? I understand that fight for Pro-life, etc… however, you get to the point where you are beating a dead horse. Some people feel very strongly about abortion and some for pro-life. I personally am Pro-life, however, I am not going to go out and spend millions of dollars to voice my opinion, tick off half the nation, and completely WASTE $2.5mil just to have an ad in the Super Bowl. There are soooooo many kingdom furthering options that we could use that money for. Yelling about being Pro-life does nothing to further the Kingdom of God….
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Definitely see your point, Tim. Especially when donating to charities is at such a high level of American interest (Haiti), it feel like the money could better be served elsewhere.
It is interesting to note that CBS has actually accepted their buy and approved the script, which is a large step in the validating and approval of such endeavors.
I hate to say it, but I think a marketing campaign like this, while incredible and moving, will not change a lot of minds and hearts on the subject of abortion. People who agree will think it’s wonderful and those who don’t will more than likely shrug it off. Sure, we are influenced by what we see on TV, but this is 30 seconds in the midst of hours and hours of contrary messages.
I realize being a pastor might make me a little biased, but I immediately think of the good this could do in the local church to provide for the poor, train people, send people, missions, etc. I think maybe there are good intentions with this idea, but I can’t help feeling this money could potentially be more effective elsewhere.
I do pray God uses these 30 seconds powerfully though.
I think the heart behind it is good, I think the execution is weak.
Super Bowl commercials are typically about humor. I know abortion is a serious issue in this county and I'm not down playing that, but I don't think this is gonna reach a lot of people.
And, in the case, the argument of "even if we just change one mind" doesn't work unless you value one mind at 2.5 million bucks. Of course, maybe some people's are.
Mine is worth a buck oh five or so.
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To me, Super Bowl commercials are a lot of "Look what we can buy" that companies use. I agree that the heart behind is good.
I think I'm right there with you. I do have to say that I'm impress to see Tim Tebow use his very marketable self for something like this. He could potentially frustrate a lot of people, but wants to stand up for what he believes. Thanks for your good thoughts, Jason!
Not worth it to me, but that is me.
I could say that the money could go to other needy things, but then someone could say the same thing that I just said about where I think the money should go.
If FOTF still believes that this kind of "marketing" works then go for it. But I am not going to support nor give money to it.
Yeah, I was also of the same mindset that, "who am I to tell them what they should/should not do with their money?"
Good thoughts!
My question is this- why doesn't FOTF just make the commercial to simply say that God loves people. Tim Tebow could do it still. Share how God loves everyone and wants a relationship with them. I think you have a better chance of changing the abortion issue by first changing the heart. Therefore, if they really want to make an impact during Super Bowl, explain God's love.
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1) None of my business. Absolutely none.
2) Horrible waste of money
3) But, so is FOTF anyway, so it seems appropriate.
4) Snark.
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Haha Danny, you crack me up.
well, you did say that it wasn't taken from the general fund, but given by apparently rich and generous friends. so i dont think its a matter of what else this money could be used on. If these people believe in it, and gave it, and it didn't come out of other funds of FOTF then i think its fine. these people may not have given this much money to anything else..
That's a good point. I think it's a cool step for CBS to allow such a commercial to air too. Thanks for your thoughts!
The price for a Superbowl ad is unbelievable! 2.5 million dollars is a lot of money! However, the Superbowl is the largest venue in sports and is watched by more people than any other event. Many people also watch the Superbowl simply to see the famed Superbowl commercials. Although it can be looked at as maybe a big waste of money, this is also a great opportunity. This country is out of control when it comes to abortion. God gives life and the will to live and it is not the anyone's choice except God's of who dies and who lives. If God allowed them to be conceived then He obviously has a purpose for them. The pro-life message….the message that God Himself teaches through His Word will be shown to millions and millions of people on Superbowl Sunday. My mom, like Mrs. Tebow, was told by the doctors to abort her son…that would be me. Thank the Lord that He gave myself and Tim Tebow godly parents who relied on God and gave their sons a chance at life. Think of all the millions of people who are not so blessed as to have Christian parents who will here this message in the commercial. Because of the respect and love of Tim Tebow and the support he gives to this message through being in this commercial people WILL be listening. Maybe there will be some young expecting mothers who are thinking of making the wrong choice of abortion who see this commercial and change their mind. Maybe the next Tim Tebow will be brought into the world and like him will have a great Christian testimony and witness for God. Another thought is that people are more willing to give to this cause of pro-life than maybe to missionary work. Who knows, maybe through someone hearing this commercial, a baby will be born that ends up being the next great revival preacher and as a result our nation is turned back to God. Only God knows but how can He bless us as a nation when we MURDER millions of babies?
This is the reason I go back and forth on this. I keep trying to think of what would I do in this type of situation. I'm still not sure…
Thanks for weighing in, Chris!
I'll weigh in. From what I understand, no one knows for certain that this commercial will definitely be about abortion, do they ?? There is a chance that FOTF really IS planning on another topic. It could be 30 seconds of God's wonderful plan of salvation !! But here's the deal: even if it is about abortion, then FOTF is running it for a reason. We may not know what the reason is. Even if the commerical saves "just" one life, it is STILL worth it !! Who puts a price on a life ???? God knows why the commercial is running, and it's all a part of his perfect plan. YES !!
Terri, thanks for weighing in!
You're absolutely right, FOTF could be planning on something else. I keep getting hung up on when Philip was called out of the 1,000's to go talk to one person: The Ethiopian eunuch.
Stuff that doesn't make sense to us humanly is God driven for a reason.
I am also leery of those who may use this as an excuse to do whatever they want too. I guess if I was in their situation, I would have to be really sure that this is what God wants and not what I want. In either case.
I know some great pro-life organizations and missionaries that would be tremendously blessed with just 1% of that kind of money. It would be hard for me to agree to bypass all of them for a 30 second commercial, but maybe a commercial is the greater trying of faith…. =)
Great thoughts, Terri!
I really have no opinion one way or another other than to say if it is aired, then I pray that it has impact on lives. Whether God uses it to speak to the heart of just one woman debating on whether or not to end the life of her unborn child or whether it speaks to a man that is not bold about his christianity around his friends. Who can put a price on that one life or on that one soul that may affect so many others? I totally see what the article is saying and if that is the Lord's opinion also, I pray that the money is used for the right goal and not this ad. But I have no control over it. So if it airs, I hope this awesome testimony serves God's purpose.
That's a great attitude to have!
I truly hope that the commercial does great and helps . And kudos for Tim, who is arguably more marketable than every starting QB in the NFL without the last name "Manning", to take such strong stand on such a controversial subject. Thanks for your thoughts, Sarah!