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?
Lead Pastor of Mountain Lake Church
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
Posted by: Bill | January 31, 2008 at 05:01 PM
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.
Posted by: Scott | January 31, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Good post and convo. We should ALWAYS be thinking about this stuff.
/TC/
Posted by: Terrace Crawford | January 31, 2008 at 09:39 PM
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.
Posted by: Paul | January 31, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Ouch! And "Church Members" is actually in a different color to accentuate the point: we are better than you.
Posted by: bryan | February 01, 2008 at 05:20 AM
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".
Posted by: Bo | February 01, 2008 at 07:44 AM
wonder where visitors can park?
Posted by: tami | February 01, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Doodee | February 01, 2008 at 09:04 PM
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.
Posted by: Kate | February 01, 2008 at 11:22 PM
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.
Posted by: Russell | February 02, 2008 at 09:05 PM