I'm not sure you are quite seeing the point of silly church signs. They are not put up to show off how witty or theologically adept the sign maker is nor are they put up for the benefit of people who already go to church. The point of these signs is to bring in non-believers. The general population sees church as a scary, strict, ultra-serious conformist fest. These signs are to show people that the church is made up of real people and that they don't stand around all straight faced and tell people they are going to hell. I don't think it matters at all whether the sign is theologically accurate or not (as long as it's not completely absurd or untrue.) People need Christianity broken down into simple terms. Imagine knowing nothing about computers and having a geek come explain it to you using only techy jargon - he would sound smart but you would still not know how to use a computer. I want you to know that you have not offended me in any way (not that that should be your concern,) I just wanted to share with you that I believe these signs are doing the community a great service. The hype alone that they are creating is getting people more interested in church. They say all attention is good attention when it comes to the church. All that said, I do agree with you that, as a Christian and one well-read in the scriptures, a lot of the signs are pretty lame and some do not make too much sense. At least the church is trying to reach out to the world though. Thanks. Sorry for the lack of brevity.
Thanks for your comments. I really appreciate the tone and thoughtfulness behind them.
In fact, I mostly agree with your points, except for one. I spend most of my time with non-Christians. Most of my friends, coworkers, classmates, etc. are not believers. They do not find these signs to be funny, they do not find that they break Christianity down to simple terms, nor do they find that these signs cause them to be more interested in church. In fact, the opposites of those statements are true. They find them to be stupid and isipid, and my biggest fear is that it is very easy for them to transfer those adjectives to the religion itself.
Admittedly, it could be generational (or perhaps even geographic) phenomenon. There could be a certain demographic of the unchurched society that these signs reach on some level. I just know that they do not reach any of the nonbelievers I spend time with.
Thanks again for your comments. I completely agree that we need to find new and effective ways to make Christianity understandable and appealing to unchurched people. I just don't think these signs are accomplishing that goal.
I'm not sure you are quite seeing the point of silly church signs. They are not put up to show off how witty or theologically adept the sign maker is nor are they put up for the benefit of people who already go to church. The point of these signs is to bring in non-believers. The general population sees church as a scary, strict, ultra-serious conformist fest. These signs are to show people that the church is made up of real people and that they don't stand around all straight faced and tell people they are going to hell. I don't think it matters at all whether the sign is theologically accurate or not (as long as it's not completely absurd or untrue.) People need Christianity broken down into simple terms. Imagine knowing nothing about computers and having a geek come explain it to you using only techy jargon - he would sound smart but you would still not know how to use a computer.
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that you have not offended me in any way (not that that should be your concern,) I just wanted to share with you that I believe these signs are doing the community a great service. The hype alone that they are creating is getting people more interested in church. They say all attention is good attention when it comes to the church.
All that said, I do agree with you that, as a Christian and one well-read in the scriptures, a lot of the signs are pretty lame and some do not make too much sense. At least the church is trying to reach out to the world though.
Thanks. Sorry for the lack of brevity.
Thanks for your comments. I really appreciate the tone and thoughtfulness behind them.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I mostly agree with your points, except for one. I spend most of my time with non-Christians. Most of my friends, coworkers, classmates, etc. are not believers. They do not find these signs to be funny, they do not find that they break Christianity down to simple terms, nor do they find that these signs cause them to be more interested in church. In fact, the opposites of those statements are true. They find them to be stupid and isipid, and my biggest fear is that it is very easy for them to transfer those adjectives to the religion itself.
Admittedly, it could be generational (or perhaps even geographic) phenomenon. There could be a certain demographic of the unchurched society that these signs reach on some level. I just know that they do not reach any of the nonbelievers I spend time with.
Thanks again for your comments. I completely agree that we need to find new and effective ways to make Christianity understandable and appealing to unchurched people. I just don't think these signs are accomplishing that goal.
God bless, and please keep on reading....
Joel B