Self-disclosure: Pretty much any building I enter - restaurant, airport, mall, church, museum, store, your house - I'm looking for a restroom. There aren't too many homes with signage for bathrooms, but, then again, I generally know the host, so I can ask.
When a new guest comes to your church, they're likely to look for one of three things (maybe all three):
- restroom
- children's center
- auditorium or worship center
Self-disclosure #2: When we opened our new auditorium at Granger Community a few years ago, we were strategic and careful about where signage was placed and just what it communicated. However, I recently toured our building with my guest services coaches and we made some disappointing discoveries. Some signage is too busy with font that's too small to read without standing still. Some signage has been added in recent months and secondary bulkhead hides it. Other signage uses our in-house language that may not be all that helpful to our guests (thanks, Kem Meyer for the eye-opener).
So, when hanging signage, ask:
- What are guests really looking for? Is a sign with an arrow to the recycle bin really all that helpful or necessary?
- If this sign were hanging in an airport would guests see it as they rush to catch a plane? If not, make the sign bigger (if your church is smaller, think smaller airport... but think about people reading signage as they move).
- Will people understand what "churchutopia" means? Or would it be better to simply say, "Kids' Center"?
Hang a sign. And hang it effectively.
Wondering. What goofy signs have you seen in churches - or elsewhere?
