Social - September 2003

Church marquees, a sign of the times

By DIANE TURBYFILL, Staff Writer

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For a sign from above, look straight ahead.

Words that have inspired church members and ministers are popping up on message boards in front of area churches.

“It wasn’t the apple on the tree but the pair on the ground.”

“Life is a puzzle — look here for the missing peace.”

Drive down Reepsville Road and you will see “Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church” at Community Chapel Baptist and “Little sins add up to big trouble” at Reepsville Baptist Church.

On the opposite side at Reepsville Baptist, the sign reads “If God gave you what you give God, would you be satisfied?”

Jim Allen, youth pastor at the church, says that message was given to him by God while driving down the road. He had to quickly ask his wife to write it down.

The Rev. Michael Steen of New Vision Ministries says words for their marquee come in the same manor.

Church members, friends and neighbors often offer suggestions. Steen found the current message while vacationing at the beach — “Life Guard on Duty 24-7. He even walks on water.”

Though the words came from an out of town Baptist church’s sign, Steen says it has been meaningful.

“We’ve gotten more out of this message than a lot of others,” he says.

Steen says a man pulled into the parking lot Wednesday to tell him how he liked the sign.

“People who are not even in church can sometimes get an inspiration,” says Steen.

Donna Gideon, a member of Eastwind United Pentecostal Church, agrees. A church member came up with the words currently on the sign — “You are never as tall as when you are on your knees.”

“My favorite is the one that’s up there now,” says Gideon.

She says that they too have gotten good comments.

“We have had visitors at our church from our sign,” she says.

The Internet and the library offer resources for words of wisdom that can be put up on church signs. But according to several Lincoln County church-goers, the signs come from above.

“That’s where you get your sermons from. God has to inspire you,” says Allen.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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