Published by JPLand on 18 Nov 2008 at 04:51 pm
Church Signs
Editor’s Note: I’ll be the first to admit that I’m cynical. One of my friends phrased it nicely when she said that my true talent in life is to “point out absurdities in absolutely everything.” So yes, I’m a bad person, and I’m aware of that…but that has never stopped me before.
Why in the world do church’s put up those “cute” sayings on their signs? For instance “God answers knee-mail”. Is the intent to bring people into the church based on the cleverness of the pun? I want to know how many people have been driving down the road, looked over at one of these signs and said “Oh my goodness, what wit and charm! I shall attend here on Sunday morning at 10:00 for Sunday School, 11:00 for Worship Service and again at 7:00 for Evening Services.”
Aren’t these signs really “inside” jokes. If you’re in the church, you get it. If you’re not, then it’s not going to impact you. To me, it’s kind of like a bunch of computer programmers inviting people to learn the benefits of programming, but sending out the invitations in C++. If the invitation doesn’t make much sense, why would I attend?
Maybe we should do something completely crazy and attract people into churches by our actions instead of our silly puns. NAh, that won’t work. Let’s stick with “knee-mail”…that’ll bring ‘em in by the thousands.
lance on 18 Nov 2008 at 9:25 pm #
Are you trying to say, that I need to change our church sign?
I was thinking about changing it to, “The cemetery is a lot closer than you think”
Alana on 19 Nov 2008 at 11:53 am #
I really hate church signs. And I love them. I love them because they are so much fun to mock. Honestly, why not just stick to the facts? Tell me when services are. Is there an event coming up? An interesting topic? A special service? And DON’T just name a Bible verse. How many people memorize the verse as they are driving by, then go home and look it up? Seriously! Who’s in charge here?!
DruU on 19 Nov 2008 at 1:59 pm #
I am with Alana… When I was growing up I remember my parents would drive by a church when ever we went to the mall down the road. They would always think it was funny, however, we never changed where we went every sunday. I didn’t stop playing basketball for my Church because this other church has a funny sign. Give me a sign that says, “All are welcome Sunday at 11:00, if you can’t make it then stop by anytime”
JPLand on 19 Nov 2008 at 3:44 pm #
Lance,
Can we change our church sign to have a LCD screen that cycles my video? I think that will work much better than anything else we could do.
Alana,
If you’re not going to come in and hear how horrible of a person you are, they have to let you know on the signs.
DruU,
I’m pretty sure that basketball is not a biblical act. I shall report you to the governing authorities. They will make a sign about it with a pun about how their sermons are usually 3-pointers.
Empress Katie on 19 Nov 2008 at 8:06 pm #
I used to enjoy reading the anti-gay, anti-abortion, etc. messages that appeared on a church sign on the way to Newnan. They have disappointed me by having normal things on their signs the last couple of times I’ve been by there…
Alana on 20 Nov 2008 at 8:09 pm #
I think some churches should just get to the point and write on their signs, “We love JESUS, but we hate PEOPLE.”