I've used this blog off and and on since November 2004. As of November 2019 this blog is only used for historical reference.
I have merged it with my personal blog at http://blog.chadgesser.org
I suppose it depends on the frame of the reader. He's Gonna Toot and I'm Gonna Scoot is the title of a Christian book, with the toot part referring to Gabriel's horn, so I would assume the marquee is likely referring to something like that. I believe Toot 'n' Scoot is also the name of a taxi service and a children's bike. And according to my mother, toot and scoot is a rude social practice involving unpleasant smells left by passersby in public places. So this sign made me laugh out loud, but I'm certain I don't interpret it in quite the way the church wants.
But it is an interesting question: how do we define boundaries of acceptable denominational messages? Who decides, and are they crafted to appeal more to existing believers or to non-believers? I also live in a place with an abundance of church marquees. The more "traditional" churches here tend to stick with posting Bible verses, but the newer ones often try puns or kitschy, more contemporary messages. I saw one last year around Valentine's Day that said "Looking for a new lover? Skip match.com, try Jesus!" I had camera phone at the ready the next day when I drove by, but the sign had already been changed. I suspect someone might have mentioned that the message did not come across as intended.
A Methodist Church in Wise, VA near us, always had great signage -- but one week they had one that I loved, but seemed to upset some of the faithful (don't know why): "Life is too short to eat brown bananas."
I suppose it depends on the frame of the reader. He's Gonna Toot and I'm Gonna Scoot is the title of a Christian book, with the toot part referring to Gabriel's horn, so I would assume the marquee is likely referring to something like that. I believe Toot 'n' Scoot is also the name of a taxi service and a children's bike. And according to my mother, toot and scoot is a rude social practice involving unpleasant smells left by passersby in public places. So this sign made me laugh out loud, but I'm certain I don't interpret it in quite the way the church wants.
ReplyDeleteBut it is an interesting question: how do we define boundaries of acceptable denominational messages? Who decides, and are they crafted to appeal more to existing believers or to non-believers? I also live in a place with an abundance of church marquees. The more "traditional" churches here tend to stick with posting Bible verses, but the newer ones often try puns or kitschy, more contemporary messages. I saw one last year around Valentine's Day that said "Looking for a new lover? Skip match.com, try Jesus!" I had camera phone at the ready the next day when I drove by, but the sign had already been changed. I suspect someone might have mentioned that the message did not come across as intended.
A Methodist Church in Wise, VA near us, always had great signage -- but one week they had one that I loved, but seemed to upset some of the faithful (don't know why): "Life is too short to eat brown bananas."
ReplyDelete