US Church Signs Blend Humour and Faith to Reach Passing Drivers

Along a busy road between new housing developments and cornfields in a Twin Cities suburb, a Lutheran church's electronic sign recently displayed a playful forecast: "God reigns and the Son shines." The message is one of many that rotate daily at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Woodbury, Minnesota, ranging from light-hearted to deeply reflective.

The practice of posting messages outside churches is not new — tradition holds that the Protestant Reformation began with writings nailed to a church door in 16th-century Germany. But in recent decades, American pastors have embraced creativity, hoping to brighten a commuter's morning, spark reflection during a drive to football practice, or gently invite lapsed believers back.

"This is about people saying, 'this makes a difference to me,' and sensing they're loved by God," said Heather Hultgren, who oversees the daily sign changes at Resurrection.

At Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minnesota, the Rev. Karna Moskalik favours invitational messages, such as the classic "CH - - CH What's missing? U R!" She sees the signs as "a way to bring something lighter in the world." Some humorous messages that have gained social-media attention across the country originated with a pastor at Our Savior's in the early 2000s, who published a collection titled "If there were no Lutherans, would there still be green Jell-O?"

In New York City, Madison Avenue Baptist Church drew attention during a brutal heatwave with the quip "Lord, whatever you're baking, it's done." Elizabeth Pustinger, who manually changes the historic church's sign weekly, said people often stop to ask about it and sometimes later attend services. The Rev. Susan Sparks calls it "a very powerful ministry," and her favourite message is a wry warning to drivers: "Honk if you love Jesus, text if you want to meet him."

Humour can help process tragedy or open the door to big questions, according to Rolf Jacobson, professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He notes that Jewish and Christian scriptures contain humorous passages. "God's business is turning mourning into gladness, Good Friday into Easter Sunday," he said.

So chuckle away next time you speed past a church sign — but spare a thought for the sweaty person of God who invented this perennial favourite: "Too hot to keep changing sign. Sin bad. Jesus good. Details inside."