Seeing is believing in the world of church signs.
“Anything that’s moving is going to attract your attention,” said Clayton Brumby, senior sign consultant for J.M. Stewart Signs. “It’s kind of reaching out and grabbing you.”
That’s why Brumby said electronic signs offer churches more visual impact than static signs.
The red or amber lights scroll, flash bright messages or display pictures, graphics, even video for all the world to see. More and more churches are buying into the impact potential of an electronic sign.
|
“We just wanted to have a sign that caught the motorist’s eye as they were zooming by at 60 mph. One of the things about the electronic sign is the bright red.”
But sign beauty is in the eye of the sign beholder. “It’s a matter of people just getting used to them,” said Brumby. “Some people feel they’re really commercial looking.”
That was the verdict in Versailles, where the community uproar over the new sign brought most of its scrolling text and pictures capabilities to a halt after complaints were lodged with the planning and zoning board there.
“We failed to get local planning and zoning approval,” said David Floyd, board member at Kings Way. For now the sign only posts the time and temperature, and does not flash. But Floyd said he is still hopeful about using the sign in the future.
According to Chip Goudreau, sales and marketing manager at J.M. Stewart, church signs can function well as community signs if bridges are made between the church and other groups in the area.
“It starts to become almost like a community icon,” Goudreau said, “which is great for the church.”
Community service
“One of the real problems churches have is dispelling the myth that they’re indifferent to the general public,” said Brumby. He recommends churches use their electronic sign to display not only church information but messages from area organizations, volunteer groups, community-wide drives, etc. With an electronic sign those messages are easily uploaded using computer software. Daily announcements, photos of the youth group, video of worship all can be displayed outside along with community messages.
“Let people know about the sign and offer it to help get the word out,” he said. “All of a sudden you’re making friends all over the place and giving back to the community. If the football team wins the district championship, that ought to be all over the sign,” Brumby said.
“People really respond to people that care. When the sign shows that you have a heart for the community, people respond to that.”
And with an electronic sign, Brumby said, “You can get people inside without getting them inside.” Pictures of the people and events show that the church isn’t just buildings and grounds.
