Muscle-Bound Mennos
Mennonot, Issue #2
Here are a few samples of the page spread we did on muscle-bound mennos. The zine contains several additional pictures.
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This photo generated a lot of criticism from Mennonites when it was featured in an advertisement run by the Mennonite Board of Missions Media Ministries in the July 26, 1993 issue of Newsweek. Though Media Ministries staff termed the ad a "prophetic message," critics have cried that the image of a glistening, muscle-bound male body is a sell-out to society's stereotypical depiction of the attractive masculine physique. We at Mennonot feel compelled to come to the defense of Media Ministries. Innovative advertising such as this surely holds the key to successful, truly Anabaptist evangelistic efforts in the decades to come. The church can hardly expect to grow unless it becomes more attractive to mainstream society. Furthermore, we believe there are plenty of valid reasons for portraying Mennos as muscle-bound folks. Our research staff was hard at work through the winter months verifying our hunch, and in the process uncovered some astonishing evidence supporting our view. |
| An unidentified Mennonite leader is shown here demonstrating to a captive audience just what it will take to merge the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church. |  Cover graphic for Issue #2 |
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Always on the cutting edge, Mennonite Mutual Aid's communications staff will apparently be quick to jump into this new genre of advertising. An unnamed source recently provided Mennonot with this sneak preview of some of MMA's upcoming advertising. The new style may pay double dividends through more appealing visuals as well as subliminal promotion of fitness and preventive health. |