Church Sign Evangelism

[deacon blues]

One of my biggest pet peeves in life are the ubiquitous corny, preachy, goofy little messages churches place on their marquee signs. Usually they are some looney play on words that are tacky at worst and cheesy at best. I can only imagine what unbelievers think when they read them. They sure aren't that convincing, and I'm a believer! My personal opinion is that they are just a waste of time and space. I seriously doubt that hordes of souls are flocking to these local assemblies as a result of these church sign sermons.

I have collected a list of the all time worst church sign messages:

"For All You Do, This Blood's For You". Nothing like taking a beer advertising slogan to effectively cheapen the beauty of the cross. It says to the world, "We aren't original". It reminds me of the times when musicians take a successful secular song and try to make it "Christian". Remember when churches were singing the Pointer Sister's song, "I'm So Excited"? I never could get into the song because I knew its original suggestive message and theme. This co-opted beer ad just doesn't work. Many unbelievers have no clue what "this blood" means. Maybe just a nice, "Jesus Loved You Enough To Die For You" would convey a better message.

"Forbidden Fruits Create Many Jams". Do we really think that people's lives are changed by these corny one sentence sermons? Honestly, you hace to admit this one is a little corny. But in reality a lot of these church sign messages are.

"Are You Wrinkled With Burden? You Need A Faith Lift!" and "Brushing Up On Your Bible Will Prevent Truth Decay". What's the message? Christians talk with a lisp? Its an attempt to be cute, but its only an attempt.

"God Loves Everyone, But Probably Prefers Fruits Of The Spirit Over Religious Nuts!". The sign messages that preach to the choir are usually some of the worst. Church cliches and speaking in language that the average Joe can't get does nothing to reach them or convince them. References to religious nuts probably doesn't help the cause either.

"Read The Bible...It Will Scare The Hell Out Of You!". Okay, let me just say that in my opinion any way to twist words or craft sentences or create a sermon title that plays on the word "hell" to make it sound like you are cussing is just simply tasteless. Many unbelievers suspect that many Christians are hypocrites. This church sign message reinforces that idea.

"This Church Is Prayer-Conditioned". Unless the temperature is 100 degrees outside and the passer by has no AC in their home, I can't see what would make the unbeliever want to come this church. Its chest thumping arrogance. "We pray---you don't" is what it says to the onlooker. Besides, it's trite.

"WARNING: Exposure To The Son May Prevent Burning!" or "The Difference In Knowing About God And Knowing God Is Like Buying Sunblock And Not Applying It; You'll Still Burn" or "Stop Drop And Roll Doesn't Work In Hell". Trying to be witty and clever while reminding folks that they are going straight to hell doesn't work. Hell is a serious subject. It should never be presented in a light-hearted way. I would bet a lot of money that not one lost soul was ever drawn to a church displaying such messages. It screams rancid arrogance.

"An Ineffably Holy God, Who Abhors Sin, Is Not The Creation Of Adam's Race". Who are they trying to reach? Seminary students? Theologians? Joe Schmoe isn't going to be compelled with this one either.

I could go on and on. I may sound a bit cynical when it comes to church signs, but to me these church sign messages are symptomatic of an attitude within the church world that wants cheap outreach. Its easy to slap up some stupid short sentence of 25 words or less. It's more of a challenge and it's more time consuming to actually try to reach the community. It reveals the mentality of "let's get the lost to come to us" rather than going to them and connecting with them.

The world is turned off by irrelevant religion. They want something real. They can see through phonies and fakes. They are drawn by messages of hope, faith and love. Condemning, self-righteous, pious and preachy one- sentence sermons by and large do not speak to this generation.

Why not send a message to the community that your church loves them and that Jesus can help them? Why not simply say things like "Jesus Has The Answers To All Your Questions", "Prayer Can Change Anything", "Jesus Loves You More Than You Know", "God Heals Broken Hearts" "You Are Welcome Here, Come As You Are" or a thousand other hopeful messages? Maybe someone driving by going through difficulty would see the brief message of faith and respond accordingly. The goal of church signs should be to sow seeds of faith and hope. Churches are not going to reach the community from their marquee. But they certainly can turn the community off with it.

Another great suggestion would be to quote Scripture on your sign. Now there's a novel idea! "Oh Give Thanks Unto The Lord For He Is Good", "Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord", "Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart And Lean Not To Your Own Understanding", or "Cast All Your Cares Upon Him For He Cares For You". There's nothing like the power of the Word of God to impact someone's life as opposed to these cheesy, out of touch "Godvertisements".

As the church we have got to reevaluate everything we do. If we are insignificant and immaterial, then we have to change. Change the way we do church, change the way we do evangelism, change the way we approach many things within our church culture. Are we supposed to be a church for church people or are we called to be the Church, the vehicle and instrument that God uses to reach a lost world?