Harvey stresses that the book is about a lot more than just church signage. He coined the phrase "sentence sermons" because he says that church signage should be short sermons. Also, he didn't title the book about church signs because he strongly encourages churches to use the sign "sentence sermons" in several ways, not just on signs.
In our modern multimedia world, some churches give less importance to the non-computer, non-video variety of media that is available. But excellence in communications means that churches need to employ a wide variety of media.
Types of "sentence sermons"
- Advertising of upcoming events (keep to a bare minimum, Harvey says).
- Bible-oriented messages.
- Wisdom messages [a famous quote, for example]. These may reach a currently unchurched person better than quoting scripture.
- On the church roadside sign (duh!).
- In church staff email sigs.
- In Sunday bulletins.
- In church newsletters.
- In a tweet.
- In a blog entry.
- In sermons!
- As a teaser in an ad.
- [your idea here].
Another book that looks interesting is "Signs for These Times" by Ronald Glusenkamp. That one includes chapters oriented on themes and seasons. The book also includes a topic an scripture index. That could come in very handy for finding a sentence sermon that relates to an upcoming Sunday sermon.
Sermon planning
Sermon planning should include planning sentence sermons. Plant them on the church sign, in email sigs, and in the bulletin. Then watch them bear fruit.
Ask congregation members to suggest a brief "sentence sermon" about the Sunday sermon. Post an accepted idea on the church sign for the next week. Then announce (in church or in the Sunday Bulletin or newsletter or news blog) whose idea it was.
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