Church Signs

Church signs are interesting things. Sometimes I wonder what the church is trying to communicate. Few things can make a congregation seem more out-of-touch, corny, judgmental, or redneck than an inappropriate message on its sign. Johnny Leckie has a great post about this. I shudder when I think of the stupid messages that I have put up over the years. But then I will drive by some church in the area and read its sign and think, "At least I never posted anything that stupid or offensive or cheesy."

Leckie has a follow-up post here. The following are some of his suggestions:

The obvious:

• Update your church sign regularly.
• Keep your church sign clean.
• Keep your church sign maintained - change the bulbs when they go out on the day they go out, trim the weeds, etc.
• If your sign is faded and weathered looking (Unless that's part of the design) it's time to replace parts or it's time for a new sign.

The apparently not-so-obvious:

• Determine who your sign is for and write for them. (Hint - If it's for your church only, send them a newsletter instead.)
• Think of your sign as a 24/7 personal billboard for your church, because that is exactly what it is. It is a "front door" to the community that tells them what's "inside."
• Think through how you will be received/perceived/heard by the people driving by. Ask, "What do we want to communicate about our church? Will it attract? Will it help create interest in what's happening at your church.
• Do not use the internet to come up with clever sayings to put on your sign.
• Do not use a "church sign book" to come up with clever sayings to put on your sign.
  Come to think of it, do not use clever sayings at all...It's like the person who tries to tell a joke that's already been told a million times and wasn't really funny the first time. They are usually tired, worn out and corny. And really, do you want to be known as the "clever sayings" church, anyway?
• Do not "slam the evil doers" on your church sign. You'll just reinforce the negative, judgmental stereotype impression that most people have about churches, anyway.
• Assume that everyone who sees your church sign has never been to church before. You don't have to "dumb down" to do this, just leave out the words and phrases that only church people would understand.
• It's ok to be funny, but you'd better really be funny. Get lot's of feedback on something you think is funny before you put it on your sign. Ask people who don't go to your church. Generally, humor that smashes stereotypes about church are better than things like, "CH_ _ RCH - What's Missing? U. R."

Stupid Church Signs

Faithful readers of this blog know that stupid church signs are a pet peeve of mine.
Lately I've been driving past a local church that has this gem on its sign:
Salvation guaranteed or your sins back.
For real. Do they really expect to appeal to the community with that lame message?
If you hate stupid church signs, you'll enjoy this website.

More Church Signs

So I'm driving around yesterday and I read the following real messages on church signs:

Aspire to Inspire Before You Expire

1 Cross + 3 Nails = 4given

For All You Do...His Blood's For You

What are these people thinking? And they wonder why the world thinks that Christians are a bunch of whacked-out nutburgers.

Signs Your Church Has Sold Out to Corporate Sponsors

15 Signs Your Church Has Sold Out To Corporate Sponsors
Props to Ian's Messy Desk for this one!
1. Nike "swoosh" on the cross
2. Communion now sponsored by Welch's Grape Juice
3. In Christmas play, Joseph seen with a pack of Marlboros
4. Statue of Mary seen holding keys to a Jeep
5. The 12 disciples replaced by Disney characters
6. Greeters all dressed like Mr. Goodwrench
7. Scripture verses brought to you by Microsoft
8. The baptistery is filled with Perrier
9. Offering envelopes say, "Weekly expenses, $6,200, projection unit for Sunday School, $1,400, Basketball hoop for the gym, $250, regular tithing, priceless.
10. Handicap parking sponsored by the Family Medical Group, LLC
11. Bulletin has coupon section
12. Wednesday night suppers sponsored by KFC
13. Church bell chimes to the tune of the NBC chimes
14. Choir robes with the Lands' End logo on the front
15. Church flag football team sponsored by the NFL

Christmas Cancellations Revisited

Today I listened to Jon Weece (minister of Southland Christian Church) address his congregation regarding the firestorm of controversy surrounding the decision to have no services on Dec 25 (sermon can be heard here).

I appreciated hearing his side of the story. I still question the wisdom of the decision. But the decision was made, and since I believe strongly in the autonomy of the local church, I believe that it's their decision to make. But I'm still stunned that apparently these guys couldn't predict that there would be an extreme adverse reaction to the decision. However, his message demonstrated the way a good leader handles controversy. The church needed to hear from him. And they heard a humble, reasoned response. I also appreciated the manner in which the church supported its minister with sustained applause, encouragement, and signs of support.

Things I Don't Understand, part three

The Occupy Wall Street protesters.

Anti-Halloween messages on church signs.

Dancing with the Stars.

Vegans.

Ouch!

This post from Craig Groeschel kicked my butt:

In ministry, I’ve had seasons of full blown passion for Christ and His Kingdom. At other times, my passion leaked and I was spiritually empty. Here are a few signs you might be a lukewarm pastor from my own life and experiences helping other pastors.

A lukewarm pastor:
Prays as much, or more, publicly than privately.
Is almost exclusively dependent on others’ sermons to preach than directly hearing from God.
Cares more about his church than The Church.
Preaches about evangelism but doesn’t practice evangelism privately.
Tolerates and rationalizes unconfessed sin.
Preaches for the approval of people rather than the approval of God.
Is overly sensitive to criticism.
Harbors bitterness and unforgiveness.
Reads the Bible to prepare sermons but not for personal devotion to God.
Is jealous or critical of someone else that God is blessing.