I got this picture recently from a member of my Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network of a sign he saw outside a restaurant:

It kinda makes you wonder if they want you around at all!  In fact, my favorite is where someone has remove a number so it says “Max stay 0 mins” 🙂

We got a great chuckle out of the pic (hope you enjoyed it too), but it reminds me of something that churches do ALL the time.

Churches will often attack a small problem with a negative sign like this and, in effect, alienate the very people they’re trying to reach.

• A skateboarding teenager scratches the paint on a rail so up goes the “No Skateboarding” sign.
• One of the elders hears an unchurched neighbor using bad language outside in the parking and the “No Swearing” sign is ordered.
• The neighborhood children hanging out on the steps make someone nervous and “No Loitering” appears.

Before you know it, this church has effectively told its unchurched neighbors that they’re not welcome here (especially if they like skateboarding or hanging out with their friends).

I’m reminded of Proverbs 14:4:

Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

In other words, the easiest, cleanest method of reaching your community for Christ is to just not reach out at all.

But if you’re serious about Kingdom results – lives transformed by Jesus – then maybe it’s time to take down the “No-No” signs and be willing to get a little messy.

P.S. Want to truly reach the people of your community with a Big Day this fall?  Check out The Ignite Seminar.

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.