If it’s not simple.
If it’s not short.
If it’s not synchronized.

SIMPLE – If you are running a program or ministry project that requires signs, directions, or logos, you want people to read it and read it correctly, right? So keep it simple, make sure it’s legible and not too crazy with unnecessary fluff. Remember, simple is clean, clean is attractive.

SHORT – I just finished visiting a church and walked through a 12,000 sq. ft. space of a church lobby. There was only ONE word on the giant wall as people left the auditorium. “CONNECTIONS” Simply one word says it all. There is not a question in anyone’s mind about where to go to get further connected to what is going on in that church. The more words, artwork, phrases, pictures, random, useless, meaningless…well you get the idea, people stop reading or lose interest. Keep it short. Whatever you desire to have the most attention in your space dial it down to one or two words.

SYNCHRONIZED – You might have the coolest sign ever, but if it doesn’t match anything else in the church you are sticking out like a sore thumb in a bad way. Figure out your churches style and fit into it, if you don’t like the style or the style is too outdated, sketch up some proposals and get some feedback before purchasing that big sign or multiple signs for your space.

Here is what I did with our student space at our church to communicate to the general public where students hang out on Sundays and the program times we offer.

If you are coming from the visitor parking lot and don’t see the doors, at least the 8ft. tall word STUDENTS will give it away.

Good signage following these three rules does not cost your church an arm and a leg, it just takes some brainstorming, creativity, and agreeing on next steps. The paint on the building and vinyl work on the doors gets complimented every other week. People share how helpful the signage was in directing them. It only cost a few hundred bucks, 3 sit down meetings and roughly 4 email threads. Small investments of budget and time can make a huge difference and leave a big impression to those visiting for the first time.