There seems to be an incongruity between the importance of humility in the Bible and the importance given it by the church. I contend that humble should be heralded as who believers are. If church mottos are attempts at defining who or what visitors will find within our walls, they make my point that humility is not high on our list of what identifies us. A list of popular church mottos reveals the lack of reference to “humble.”
Many mottos express the message: “we care about you.” Join our church and it is “the end of your search for a friendly church.” It is expressed by some with, “Always a Place For You.” Some churches simply claim they are, “A People Who Care.” Maybe this is all based on the belief that people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.
Another focus of church mottos is the idea of “community.” Their purpose is “Building a Community of Grace.” Some alliteration makes the motto more meaningful and monumental: “A Place to Believe, Belong, and Become.” I like the warmth in this motto: “Large Enough to Serve You, Small Enough to Know You.”
One of the more popular ideas churches desire to convey in their motto is that of “growth.” Churches proudly hale: “A Growing Church Serving A Growing Community.” Even if that was never true, the church will put it on the bulletin every week. A motto that unites the two ideas of community and growth is the phrase, “Growing Together.” For me, that conjures up pictures that I am sure were not intended. The motto I most enjoy belonged to a church with a cemetery behind it. “Dead Out Back, Alive Inside.”
The messages of some mottos seem intentionally vague and lacking substance, like this one: “Rooted, Relevant and Real.” I have poked fun at one local church’s motto that states its name followed with, “A Good Idea!” A better motto might be: “You Should Come, It’s Not That Bad.” Why don’t we be a little more ambiguous by adopting the motto: “Watch Out!”
Many mottos express the message: “we care about you.” Join our church and it is “the end of your search for a friendly church.” It is expressed by some with, “Always a Place For You.” Some churches simply claim they are, “A People Who Care.” Maybe this is all based on the belief that people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.
Another focus of church mottos is the idea of “community.” Their purpose is “Building a Community of Grace.” Some alliteration makes the motto more meaningful and monumental: “A Place to Believe, Belong, and Become.” I like the warmth in this motto: “Large Enough to Serve You, Small Enough to Know You.”
One of the more popular ideas churches desire to convey in their motto is that of “growth.” Churches proudly hale: “A Growing Church Serving A Growing Community.” Even if that was never true, the church will put it on the bulletin every week. A motto that unites the two ideas of community and growth is the phrase, “Growing Together.” For me, that conjures up pictures that I am sure were not intended. The motto I most enjoy belonged to a church with a cemetery behind it. “Dead Out Back, Alive Inside.”
The messages of some mottos seem intentionally vague and lacking substance, like this one: “Rooted, Relevant and Real.” I have poked fun at one local church’s motto that states its name followed with, “A Good Idea!” A better motto might be: “You Should Come, It’s Not That Bad.” Why don’t we be a little more ambiguous by adopting the motto: “Watch Out!”
Latin phrases make good mottos. It is too bad the Marines took the phrase “Semper fidelis” (always faithful). That would make a great church motto. A church with a powerful evening worship could add a twist to another well known Latin phrase with, “Carpe noctum! (Seize the night). How about this for a good Baptist church: “Veni, Vidi, Dormivi” (I came, I saw, I slept). A great motto for the contemporary church is: “Ventis secundis, tene cursum” (Go with the flow).
Where are the mottos that place value on humility. Allow me to offer a few. Alliteration: “Holy, Happy and Humble.” Caring: “We Ain’t Too Proud To Serve You?” Community: “Our Humility Brings Us Together.” Growth: “Big Enough To Be Humble.” Ambiguous: “Who? Me?” Latin: "Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum" (Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble). I must offer just two more possibly great mottos. “Come on in, but leave your pride at the door.” Or, “We’re Not Proud, Seriously!”
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment