How do you best use your church sign to reach the community?
Just say no.
The gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, but it isn’t easy to encapsulate that gospel on a church sign in such a way that the message isn’t perverted or made trite and common. Every once in a while I read a church sign with a message that makes me smile or think. Much more often, my response is to cringe when I read the offensive, ridiculous, shallow or hackneyed phrases.
Ed Stetzer posted a church sign at his blog today and it got me thinking. Here are some church signs that someone thought would actually be a good way to advertise the work of the Lord in their community.
Here’s a similar message to the one he posted, though this is from a different church. Okay, Christians (those who believe the biblical gospel) know the reality of hell and are concerned that people without Jesus are headed there for all eternity.
We should not shy away from the message of judgment, but is that really the message we want to lead with? As someone is driving down the road, is slapping them in the face with an eight word message about hell really the best way to communicate the gospel?
And, really, is hell something to joke about?
Hey, no church has to answer to me, but I am not of the opinion that this is the best way to go.
Okay, here’s another version of that one, from one of our sister churches in Texas.
Hey, there are parts of the Bible that are pretty intense, but is the purpose of God’s Word to “scare the hell” out of people?
Some messages are trite to the point of offending the serious nature of the gospel. Here’s one for your consideration in that category.
Free coffee AND eternal life? Wow. Not to be too picky but perhaps it might be good to clarify that membership might bring you free coffee, but it does not guarantee eternal life.
I thought this one was funny, but it left me wondering how it had anything to do with the church.
This billboard would certainly not go over well in conservative, midwestern Sioux City, but maybe in some cities.
Not to be unkind, but I’ve sometimes wondered if this is the life motto for some bloggers (especially those with whom I disagree, of course.)
Really? I guess there is a new translation that says that you are “transformed by the bypassing of your mind.”
I guess the next church was going to hear a sermon on Rahab, but is that really worth the confusion this sign would create?
Several preachers have taken this one literally, but we’d better move on. So, check this one out.
Huh?
At least this next one wins the transparency award.
I guess that’s my question: Is a message on a church sign really going to draw a crowd?
Sometimes, it’s just a matter of spelling.
I wash my hands of that sign. (You’ll laugh later when you get it). Here’s another significant misspelling.
Either its a misspelling or some kind of inappropriate joke. And that brings us to a whole new area of church signs – inappropriate humor. I’m no prude (probably should be more of one than I am). But I am amazed some priest thought this was an acceptable brand of humor for their sign.
Ed Young and Mark Driscoll both declared that one in bad taste.
We have a church sign, but I vetoed this message when our Deacons wanted to post it.
What about Friday through Wednesday? Any help then?
Pastor, you might need to warm up that resume. And, for goodness sakes, keep your signs repaired, folks.
Actually, though, once in a while I see one I like. I’ll end this with one that tickled my fancy.
Hope you receive this in the spirit in which it is intended. I intended in in the spirit in which I wrote it. But if you read it in a different spirit from which I wrote it, or if I wrote it in a different spirit than that which I intended, then you should receive it in the spirit I intended it, not the one in which I wrote it.
I think.
Hi DAVID,
I enjoyed this post . . . have you seen the dueling Church signs site, this:
http://www.toilette-humor.com/funny_religious_humor/the_dueling_churches.shtml
of course it’s a made-up joke, but these days, if something is fun and gets peoples’ minds off of their many troubles, what is the harm of it?
Given the “Get Behind Me, Satin” is a unitarian “church” they probably had the sign right.
I have one saved on a computer that says: “Don’t Let Worries Kill You, Let the Church Help”.
Then you got the “What’s missing from CH__CH? UR!” That always confuses me. Ur’s been dead and gone for a few thousand years (1 Chronicles 11:35)… 🙂
I’m pretty sure the St. Cyril sign with the sexual innuendo is from an online “sign generator” site. Doesn’t diminish your point, though. A man who used to run a “bad church sign” site suggested that three things were best for church signs: scripture passages (the clearer the better), event promotions, and sermon titles.
Really? If that was from a sign generator, I would be relieved. There was one from a Baptist church that was so vile I wouldn’t even post it.
St. Cyril is a real Catholic Church in Houston – the sign looks like it is stylistically similar to the church itself. I think it might be genuine.
I put “Hymns Sung Here” on our sign once, just to see what would happen. People called the church. We actually had visits out of that one.
I know of a church that should post, “Hymns sung badly here.”
My son and I used to rearrange church sign messages. Our favorite was a King James Only sign:
It originally read: IF IT AIN’T KING JAMES IT AIN’T BIBLE
We changed it to: IT IT AIN’T JINK GAMES IT AIN’T BIBLE
It took the brain surgeons at the church a couple of weeks to figure it out.
Such fun!
Stan, I am offended and horrified that you would do such a thing.
Wanna come to Sioux City and hang out?
We built our church sign out of big cedar trees we cut down on a member’s farm. On the road side it gives service times and directions. On the back side which is next to a daycare facility – it says “Jesus Loves Me” For the Bible Tells Me So” Every time the kids are dropped off that’s what the parents and the kids see.
Excellent.
I’d be interested in Bible quotes and other sayings that you would consider good to put on church signs. Anyone want to recommend some good ones?
By the way, I like Jim’s.
David R. Brumbelow
I just love the fact that this thread came along this week after I had just watch a video in a similar vein this week as well. Have to share it because it fits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vofn-iqeT9Y
That “SAVED BY A HARLOT” sign? Yeah, I took that picture. Been trolling Joel Bezaire’s archives, have we?
🙂
I saw a church sign this past Saturday that says, “if life gives you scapes make a quilt.” shouldn’t it say scraps and what does that have to do with Church? I make quilts and I go to Church, but the lesson has never been about making quilts. I’m really confused.
It wasn’t a church sign but here in town the chamber of commerce sign currently reads:
Satan called. He wants his weather back.
It sounds like it would make a good church sign… 🙂