Mixed Signals
27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. – Matthew 23:27-28
It’s a great feeling to be welcomed isn’t it? As a stranger it warms your heart when you show up at some ones house for the first time, or at a new church and you feel right at home. One of the things I really hate is trying to guess which door to go to. The garage door is usually closest, but it seems a little inappropriate if I haven’t really ever been to the house before and I usually debate between going in there or walking around to the front door. I don’t visit churches as much as I used to but I know the feeling of showing up at a church and not knowing anyone. You want to join in the fun and conversations, but usually just hope someone talks to you.
I suppose that is why Welcome mats or signs were invented: to send the message that visitors are invited and welcome. The irony of this picture is the glaring inconsistency between the two signs. The whole reason it got on the “fail blog” was because it is just so stupid to put up such opposite messages. Who would do that?
Well, maybe we would. Sure not with two actual signs, but with our actions. On one hand our church advertises that we are an “authentic community of faith and caring.” We gladly invite folks and tell visitors “we are glad they are here.” But what do our actions say? Do we put up “Keep out signs” by forming cliques? Do we post “no trespassing” warnings by saving our pew and giving the “evil eye” if someone sits there?
Think about it this week, what kind of mixed messages are you sending?
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