Here's Your Sign...

This is an ACTUAL CHURCH SIGN from a church parking lot in Hawaii. This picture got me thinking: What are the things our church is doing that says: "Church Members ONLY" or "Outsiders Unwelcome?" Got any thoughts?

Comments

[Bill]

Wow, I posted a sign similar to that, but perhaps it is definitely worse when the message comes directly from the pastor, you can see the sign here:

http://provocativechurch.blogspot.com/2006/12/being-invitational-can-be-subtle-as.html

[Scott]

You have to love these churches that put up stuff like this.

Hope you don't mind, but we borrowed it for part of our sign series.

[Terrace Crawford]

Good post and convo. We should ALWAYS be thinking about this stuff.

/TC/

[Paul]

This is unfortunately all too typical. There is a small church around the corner from my house that just put a new parking lot in this past summer. They proceeded to put a gate at the entrance to the newly pavely lot. Nothing said everyone is welcome quite like that. My blood pressure rises every time I go by.

[bryan]

Ouch! And "Church Members" is actually in a different color to accentuate the point: we are better than you.

[Bo]

Thinking of a friend named Joe Whitten - and as an example to other church organizations, I might dedicate a parking spot that read, "Wretch Parking Only" or "Self-Righteous Parking Only - and in the small print - all others please use the sinners area".

[tami]

wonder where visitors can park?

[Doodee]

Thanks for sharing

[Kate]

I was linked to this blog post from an atheist blog, and I just wanted to say this:

Thank you. Thank you for embracing the Christian principles of fellowship and love. Thank you for even wanting to think about how signs like the one in your post look to those of us on "the outside".

Mostly, though, I want to thank you for reminding everyone that churches are supposed to be a place where all are welcome, in a spirit of love, togetherness and community.

[Russell]

I believe that this accents the condition of many churches today. It seems that these churches have become so disconnected from the many needs of our society; that it has forgotten its mission, and the need to be intentional about sharing the hope found in Jesus Christ. It is time for God’s people to arise and move towards engaging our communities with the Good News and the love of the one true God. True faith does not only transform people, it transforms communities, states, countries and the world.