Sunday I made sandwiches for the soup kitchen. I went to regular services and listened to a sermon on the parting of the Red Sea. I took communion and prayed for my neighbors. I was a dutiful and pious church lady. And then, it happened.
Tucked in among the announcements in my church bulletin I found this little line item from the Board of Trustees:
Other Items:
A new illuminated computerized two-sided sign at the corner
Estimated Cost………………………………………….$30, 000 to $40,000
My first thought was HOW MUCH FOR WHAT? My next thought was why would they want to put such a monument to bad taste in front of MY church? If they think they are going to put that eyesore in front of MY House of Worship, they have another think coming! It was obvious to my poor long suffering Spouse that he was in for a rant on the drive home.
Not surprisingly, my Spouse was with me on this one. “You know, in Christ’s time they had the equivalent of the ‘Mega Church’. They had these huge temples in the big cities with barkers out front trying to lure people in to tithe. These electronic signs are like modern barkers.”
“Wait”, I said, “you mean like the guys who stand out in front of strip clubs and bars passing out fliers to draw people in?”
“Um, not really, but uh…”
“Oh man, I can see the scrolling messages now: ‘C’mon in! Coldest chalice, Hottest dispensation, get it here!’”.
“You know that’s not what I meant…”
“All Charismatic, All the time!”
“Grace! Grace! Grace!”
“You can stop now…”
“Check it out! Skimpiest choir robes in town!”
“OK. You know you’re going to Hell for that one, don’t you?”
Seriously, I am of the opinion that this sign is less about reaching out and more about pride. I believe I’d rather see $40,000 buying a lot of baloney sandwiches for the soup kitchen, than buying a phoney baloney monument to parish pride.
And I suspect the fellow who overturned the tables outside the Temple might just agree with me.
13 responses so far ↓
1
witchypoo
// Sep 2, 2008 at 3:53 am
If the pastor’s getting too feeble to insert the letters in the signage manually, couldn’t a church volunteer take over that job?
witchypoos last blog post..Excrement Alert
2
Poppy Buxom
// Sep 2, 2008 at 7:34 am
Up next–drive through masses? A combination of McDonalds (the wafers) and a suburban bank (for pledge envelopes?)
Meanwhile the oh-so-tasteful mainline Protestant churches (Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran) eschew big gaudy signs and wither on the vine.
Poppy Buxoms last blog post..The GOP has Swift-boated itself
3
Jen on the Edge
// Sep 2, 2008 at 8:03 am
Amen sister!
Jen on the Edges last blog post..Still not 40 (T- 4 days…)
4
MaryLu
// Sep 2, 2008 at 8:44 am
I think you might be right. Bigger and louder and brighter doesn’t always mean better.
MaryLus last blog post..How I saved $40 yesterday and our new chore chart.
5
Gretchen
// Sep 2, 2008 at 9:22 am
Unbelievable. That is a lot of money - expecially when there are greater needs.
Gretchens last blog post..Neapolitan and Needs a Name
6
Debbie
// Sep 2, 2008 at 9:24 am
I’m in complete agreement here. I seem to constantly find better things for the church (and government for that matter) to spend my money on. You go girl.
Debbies last blog post..Alfred Hitchcock was right about the birds
7
charlotte
// Sep 2, 2008 at 12:28 pm
ITA!! Amen!
yikes.
charlottes last blog post..Bye-Bye Summer!
8
Amanda/Rosewoods
// Sep 2, 2008 at 12:43 pm
The church up the road from us has had a fancy-schmancy electronic sign for nigh on 10 years now and it still makes me jump when I see it. It always has hellfire flames flashing across it every time I drive be. A bit of a deterrant if you ask me.
RE: Drive Thru Churches (Poppy Buxom) -
It’s already happening. Sad, but true…
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2005/05/26/local/export93493.txt
Amanda/Rosewoodss last blog post..Double Rewards in October!
9
Green Girl
// Sep 2, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Once again why I love your blog. I recall many verses about feeding the needy. I also recollect a couple about the early church meeting in people’s houses. Hm.
Green Girls last blog post..Denying summer’s end for one more day
10
Ree
// Sep 2, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Yea - I’m there handing out that dispensation.
In my sexy nun’s scarf.
Rees last blog post..It’s What?
11
jill
// Sep 2, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I love it!!! Amen and amen!!! You are hilarious!
jills last blog post..The Rummager and The Sticker
12
Elaine
// Sep 3, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Love that last line…
Elaines last blog post..Wordless Wednesday #31 - Ready for School!
13
Janet
// Sep 4, 2008 at 10:06 am
This is one of many reasons why I gave up on organized religion so long ago. Church members would fork over hundreds of thousands were being spent on building funds for unnecessary fancy ornamentation and gymnasiums and such, but they can’t be bothered to spend a dime to help feed a hungry person or house a homeless person (you are obviously an exception). The Mountain Man could get a homeless family into a brand-new well-built 3-bedroom home for that $40,000. (They actually cost $80,000 but matching funds are available.)
Janets last blog post..I Got a Nikon Camera, Love to Take a Photograph . . .
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