Posted on 07/27/2007 9:54:17 AM PDT by xzins
While more churches adopt large projection screens and multimedia technology to draw new believers and the unchurched, one church communications specialist points back to the traditional church signs that stand outside sanctuaries for more effective outreach.
Related To Hell and Back "It may sound like a line from the 70s, but people will ask, 'What's your sign?' A sign should be a primary ministry touch-point that encourages people to visit your church," said Woody Murray, who has worked for 30 years in communications and marketing in advertising agencies and at a major Christian organization.
Bottom line is either get a church message sign if you don't have one or keep your current one fresh and updated, and maybe even assign someone to make church signs their ministry, Murray suggested.
Why the emphasis on marquees?
"Your best prospects probably live close to the church," said Murray. "They very likely pass by it every day. They're on the way to and from work, going to the grocery store, or running other errands. Many of these folks probably go by your church more than once a day."
And a marquee message as simple as "Join us this Sunday for Worship 11 AM" can help draw those passer-bys.
"People respond to invitations," Murray stressed. "Make your message an invitation as often as possible."
Whether the sign has to be changed by hand or electronically, Murray recommends changing the message frequently to catch the eye of prospects, especially if there are special services and events happening at the church.
Earlier this year, more churches across the nation used their church signs to advertise their big-screen Super Bowl gatherings to attract crowds that may otherwise huddle at bars or places inappropriate for children to watch the big game.
When it comes to clever messages, however, Murray offers caution.
"I feel a little uncomfortable saying this, but be cautious in how you use Scripture on your sign," he noted, warning against churches that opt to choose "fire and brimstone" messages with the intention of frightening people into coming to church.
Such message signs run a greater risk of turning off people to your church, he said.
As Joel Bezaire, an attendant of West End Community Church who runs the website CrummyChurchSigns.com, stated, "Today's culture doesn't take the idea of hell seriously at all. Churches who make jokes about it on their sign only make it worse. Example: 'Stop, drop, and roll doesn't work in hell!'"
Another piece of advice Murray gave is: "Think twice about humorous signs, too."
"The world already thinks the church is out of touch with our culture’s realities," said Bezaire. "How exactly are lame jokes helping change that idea? A good rule of thumb is that if you have to question whether a joke is funny or not – it isn't."
Also, be brief, said Murray.
"People can't read a long message in the second or two it takes to pass the church," he noted. "Put too many words on your sign, and folks won't even take a look."
The rule of thumb is seven to 10 words.
Some ideas Bezaire suggests for church signs include service times, news of how the church is working in and with the community, general church news, upcoming sermon titles, or Bible verses that make sense on their own.
Y'all know the rules.
No spittin', kickin', gougin', cussin', listin', or disobeying the grand poobah of the neeners, the Lord High Protector, yada, yada, rights and privileges apertaining thereunto.
Special dispensations, indulgences, awards granted solely at the whim of the Lord High Protector.
Absolutely NO lists!
at THE
ADULT LEARNING CENTER
Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning At 7:00 PM
Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other. Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum. Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health. Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.
Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife. Online Classes and role-playing. Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used. Live Demonstration. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined. Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.
Busted!!! LOL.
Sign I almost bought the other day.
“Jesus loves you. But I’m his favorite.”
Um...xzins...you can’t see it because you have the original image in your cache. But you keep posting graphics from that site and we’re getting a “you’ve been a bad boy” picture that says “Stealing bandwidth makes baby Jesus cry.”
Always remember that you’re unique. Just like everyone else.
gid oudda here.....
My favorite:
Jesus loves you, only because he has to.
“Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.”
honest
Signs you've seen, wish you hadn't seen, wish you would see, that make you laugh, that make you cry, that make you sigh)
Wish I would see:
Yup we are not seeing your signs, just a scalding little smilie face creature trying to shame you.
is this more of that kindness and respect you talk about?
Sigh....
Must be from the New York Times. :>)
There used to be a pizza shop in a town nearby that was closing up after 20 or so years in business. That shop is very near a Pentecostal Church. Both had signs but since the road in fron of the buildings was only one way, you could read the Pizza shop sign for about a 1/2 mile, and only saw the church sign when right on top of it. The last few weeks tht the pizza shop was open their sign read, “You only have two weeks left!” The Church, not to be out done changed their sign to,
“So you better get in here!”
Oh lighten up, St. Francis.
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