Your Serve (Part One)

Recently my wife and I were in a larger community about an hour from our home. We passed one of the downtown churches and my wife said “you need to turn around and get a picture of the sign on that church”. I navigated a return to the building, parked and walked to the front where the sign of interest was posted.

The sign provoked a myriad of emotions. I have experienced these emotions any number of times over the past several years. Still, reading this sign brought a rush over me. My inner voice was responding with voluminous certainty, “do we really know what we are talking about?”

I urge you to hear me. This blog is not about this particular church. I have not mentioned the community or the church intentionally. It just happens the be the first time I’ve actually seen such a sign. My comments are about the climate that would call for a church to decide to post such a sign. To a degree, it is the manifestation of things spoken and unspoken.

In part one of this blog, I would like to give observation on the intended communications of this sign. For many, my comments will be familiar. I will seek to refrain from opinion. I have an opinion but I do not wish to give emphasis to that opinion. I hope part one will serve as a catalyst for part two. Is there something else in this sign that might be identified? Could an unintended message be lurking?

Intended communication. This is signage installed by this church to communicate to its members and guests directions and information. I have never read any additional or relational material from this church, but I would almost “bet the farm” there are at least two things the church would like this sign to communicate.

First, this sign states that this church provides two distinct gatherings for believers and interested non-believers. It might be assumed these two gatherings are scheduled for the same time on the same day. If not, this sign communicates that one group does not fancy the idea of the other group gathering in their gathering room. If the latter is true, it would certainly provide for an interesting blog topic.

Second, these gatherings are planned with diverse types of elements. It might be this church is seeking to “appeal” to a divergent population with elements palatable to that particular population. This allows members and prospects to choose the service that best suits his or hers desires.

One gathering might contain elements that likely consists of familiar hymns accompanied by piano and organ. It would likely include individuals reading scripture or the congregation reading scripture responsively. There would be a sermon or homily by the minister. A choir would likely present a choral anthem.

The other gathering might contain newer songs with different instrumental  accompaniment. Perhaps drums and various rhythm instruments are used to supply musical accompaniment. It might be led vocally by a small ensemble. The use of drama or “interpretive movement” (dancing) would not be foreign. A facilitator might present conversational thoughts subsidized by audio-visual and other technical support.

My observations are probably more accurate than not, not because I’m clairvoyant but simply because this is what this sign is intended to communicate.

Did you notice I used the word “gatherings” where the sign used the word “service”?