The Pursuit Church, located in downtown Snohomish, is known for its bold billboards located near one of the main entrances into town. Strategically placed near Harvey Airfield on Airport Way, north of the train tracks, the billboard stands prominently, featuring messages ostensibly to attract church service attendance. Their quirky, often antagonistic billboard statements show a lot of personality that appears befitting of their rambunctious services. However, the messaging is divisive, judgmental, often bigoted – and does not reflect the welcoming values many associate with faith communities or with Snohomish.
As a supporter of the First Amendment, I have no issue with the church spending its money this way. The church’s promotion team may subscribe to the ill-formed notion that “all press is good press” and apply the same cavalier approach to crafting its advertising messages.
However, for this Snohomish resident, the messages are an unwelcome and unkind representation of the community. For visitors and potential new residents, the billboards stand in sharp contrast to the welcoming and inclusive reputation many community members strive to create and maintain.
The Snohomish local business community, government, and residents work hard to foster an environment of diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. The official city government site states – on its visitor page – that Snohomish “is a vibrant and eclectic town that intertwines its rich history with forward-thinking and friendly atmosphere.” Similarly, the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association (HDSA) lists community and inclusivity amongst its five core values.
While we may never know the exact economic impact, it’s worth asking if these billboards are driving away tourists, shoppers, new residents, or commercial investors. If so, the hidden negative impact of The Pursuit’s billboard ads may go beyond damaging the city’s sense of community to damaging its financial well-being.
Although I respect the church’s right to its religious perspectives and performances, we must consider the harmful impact of intolerance. Messaging that targets or marginalizes the LGBTQ+ community and other diverse groups makes many people feel unheard, unwelcome, and unsafe. I’m also disturbed by the sorrow The Pursuit’s own patrons likely feel if they personally don’t subscribe to the church’s narrow doctrine.
Many of their billboards have been odd, and many take jabs at diversity and healthcare access in a manner that they must think is clever. As one who celebrates diversity, I say, “You do you, Pursuit Church: flaunt your quirk. But, I implore you to write your highly visible ad copy after considering the harm you are likely causing to the Snohomish community.”
Unlike other coverage and online discourse regarding The Pursuit across the state, I will not criticize their teachings, as inclusivity includes the freedom to practice one’s own religion, or not. And it’s unlikely The Pursuit’s antagonistic advertising approach will change. It is, however, my sincere hope that visitors to Snohomish understand that these billboards are not accurate representations of the majority of our community’s character.
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