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The Church Motto
A motto, synonymous with slogan, is a phrase selected to provide
an identify for an organization. In battles or working for a
cause it is called the rally cry. A motto becomes a locution
when used by a people for their particular situation. The motto
is a saying consisting of key catchwords. We have become a
fast-paced society where TV sound bites and Billboard
catchphrases compete for our attention. The Church is also in
competition for the attention of sinner/saints.
The Church though not to be “of the world” is “in the world” and
seeks to be a witness of Christ to the world. The motto
separates one church from other surrounding churches. The
motto may be the call that brings sinners into the fold.
A Church motto when displayed outside; on the church,
on a sign, or
in advertising; is the first impression a visitor has of your
church. It describes a primary attribute of your congregation’s
demeanor or primary tenant. Mottos in business are often
called a tag-line. The business motto is a line that
accompanies the name to portray an image. The tag-line is shown
on signs, on catalogs, in literature, and in advertising.
The business community calls this “branding.” A motto is a
part of the marketing of your church to the public. Within
Christianity, the community of faith, the motto is a call of
Christ to the world, branding our churches in His
service.
Lists of prospective mottos -
Original Mottos -
Mottos in Use
©
2009, Roger W Hancock,
www.PoetPatriot.com
Choosing a Church Motto
The process of choosing a motto should not be taken lightly.
Many considerations come into play to select a really great
motto for your church. The first step in any church process is
prayer. Pray for guidance that the spirit of God will lead in
the selection of your motto.
Many churches have no motto or have used bible verses, which of
course are always, sound in statement. Using Bible verses for a
motto (though one would be hesitant to criticize) may have some
drawbacks. Bible verses often do not differentiate your church
from any other. Regardless of the scriptural message, the
secular world often views it as “Bible thumping” and ignores,
before even reading. A shorter, concise, to the point phrase is
more likely to catch their eye. The motto is the marketing of
your church which is in competition with the others in your
neighborhood. You are right, in that, the Great Commission is not
a competition. Competition comes into play when you believe
your tenants are more biblically sound then the other nearby
churches. You want to draw those who are seeking, to your church
before they visit the other.
Some will chose a motto that “sounds good”, making a mistake
when it is actually “not so good.” The motto must be an accurate
reflection of the church. When the message is of interaction and
is not evident among the congregation you portray a “lie.” The
motto, “A Friendly Church” may draw in a visitor but when no one
approaches them with a hello, they are turned away by the
conflicting message. This is an unintentional consequence of a
larger church. People are hesitant to approach someone they do
not know, afraid to be the one-hundredth person in six months to
ask if the unknown person is new. The reverse of that effect is
that smaller churches more often appear friendlier. Be aware of
the character traits of your particular church. Look to the
future, though a smaller church now it may grow to be larger,
taking on some unintentional traits.
The selection of a motto requires some self reflection, perhaps
taking a survey of the congregation; ask them how they would
describe the church. Decide if you wish to depict the
congregation, a church tenant, or, perhaps, displaying your unique
location. It is best to include only one of those attributes.
Some times you can get away with two of those attributes,
but keep it short. Think about how you want the
citizens of your community to view your church, which of course,
must be accurate. Write out all the ideas and phrases you come
up with whether good or bad, whether long or short. You may gain
other ideas from the earlier ones or perhaps you might later
edit an earlier phrase to a more shorter and concise message.
The motto, as earlier mentioned, should be short and easily
remembered to facilitate a lasting first impression. A shorter motto is
more easily remembered. A short motto may be remembered without
the person trying, while a longer motto would take some effort.
Few people bother to intentionally remember a motto. A
motto remembered may over-ride a negative impression, whether
that impression is justified or not.
Some differences exist between a business motto and a church
motto. The business wants a motto that is bold and confident
while a church motto may be that, or may be more humble. The
projection of humility, levels the social status between the
Congregation and the world around them. The last thing you want
in a motto is the impression of superiority over others.
Then there is the problem with life-long Christians being naïve
and not catching the double entendre of some phrases. Though
many phrases will not be a problem, do not assume. Scrutinize it
before permanently attaching it to your church. One example is
“You should come, it’s not that bad.” Although I understand the
attempt to appeal to the apprehension one might have about
attending church, the phrase unintentionally says, “It’s not
that good,” also. Then there are the double secular meanings we
would wish to avoid. Perhaps ask a member who has more recently
been born-again. Maybe ask a secular acquaintance for their
impression of the phrase, then specifically ask if it might have
some unexpected (vulgar or other negative) meaning.
Once you have a final candidate for a motto take at least a
couple of days to mull over it, think over it, and more
importantly pray over it. The motto will tag your church for a
long time. As a cowboy brands his cattle, a motto brands your
church.
Lists of prospective mottos -
Original Mottos -
Mottos in Use
©
2009, Roger W Hancock,
www.PoetPatriot.com
Composing a Church Motto
A
great motto is short and or memorable. It avoids redundancy and
tells of the church, leaving the reader with a feeling, often
the first impression, about the
Church.
Avoid repeating a word within or thought
provoked by, the name of the church. Do not use
"Church" in your motto especially when it is a
part of the church name. Using "church" in your
motto generally causes a redundancy. "-
A Church Where Miracles Happen" becomes more exciting
and memorable when shortened to "-
Miracles Happen." Also avoid
using "Jesus" "God" and other divine designations.
The fact that you are a church implies the
divine influence. "God’s
Love Lights the way"
becomes more memorable and more noticeable just stating, "Love
Lights the Way."
Some of the Mottos in use may be quaintly cute but, in my
opinion, are more suited
as a message on a Church Reader Board Sign. "Guiding
your life in a misguided world",
can be edited down to "-
Guidance in a Misguided World"
or "Guiding Lives."
Keep it short. Five words or less are best. The shorter the more easily remembered. Any Motto 6
words or longer must be power-packed. Short or
long the motto must be memorable. "-
A Church Where the Difference is
Worth the Distance"
is longer then it should be, however it does inspire a more
suitable motto, "- Difference, Worth the
Distance."
It is best to include only one thought or concept in the motto.
This is especially true when composing mottos 6 words or more. "- To Mold Every Believer Into the Image of
Christ and To Mobilize Them to Evangelize The
World"
has three thoughts, molding, mobilize, and evangelize. Three
thoughts within a motto is too much. You cannot put a full
sermon into the motto, so do not even try. "- Molding Believers",
"- Molding the
Image" and "-
Influencing the World."
are more concise and easily remembered. Occasionally you might
come up with a rather good two concept motto in 5 words or less.
Each concept must be readily apparent requiring little thought
to understand. Two of those above when placed together will
convey two of the thoughts while remaining at only five words, "-
Molding Believers, Influencing the World."
Statements concerning the age of the church do
not tell much about the church other than, "how
old." The age does
not produce the necessary image one would
require of a motto. The mottos that include
service, faith, or other activity, along with
the age, are better but
tend to make the motto longer. My suggestion is
to not include the age in the motto but rather
use it in a secondary tag line; "- Established 1906,"
"- Est. 1906"
or "150+
Years!." If you really
desire the age in the motto, include a Christian activity keeping as
short as possible, preferably 4 or 5
words. "-
50+ Years of Faith"
is rather concise but still is rather dull.
Multi-phrase mottos seem to be popular but tend to be longer and
less memorable. "- Reach a City, Change a nation, touch the
world." would be better broken down and
used individually. Examples for each phrase are, "- To
Reach our city,"
"- Changing
our nation,"
and "- Touching the World.
Each individually are more memorable. Sometimes taking a two or
three phrase motto and editing it to a two or three word motto
makes it more exciting as well as memorable. "-
Encountering God. Loving People. Serving our
World," edited to "Love,
Serve, Encounter" becomes more memorable. Avoid the long
run-on-sentences in an attempt to create a mini-sermon. They
usually are not read through to the end.
The mention of the church location also does little to promote an
Image, or feeling, about the Church but may help to
differentiate it from other churches. If possible include a
spiritual action word with the location to create a new motto.
As with the age of a church the location might be better used in
a secondary tag-line.
Words that excite are those that grab the attention and tend to
be more memorable. Try using
exciting words that stick in a person's mind. Words that are
somewhat benign may work but often leave the phrase with a
plain-Jane impression. The word "place" is rather benign. It
may take some creativity but avoiding "place" and other benign
words, help to enhance the excitement of the motto. "A Place for
all People" does not really need to say "Place." Shortening it
to "For All People." makes it succinct and to the point. The
"church" is obviously the "place" and to state it is a
redundancy. "Pronouns are usually benign but in the right
context help to direct the statement of the motto. Often a
direction by a pronoun is not necessary in a motto. So try every
variation of the candidate motto you can come up with to compose
the perfect motto for your church.
The motto complements the name of the church to create an
impression that is brought to ones mind whenever they later
again see the church name. A short memorable, exciting phrase
with the proper descriptive words will serve your church for
years to come.
Lists of prospective mottos -
Original Mottos -
Mottos in Use
©
2009, Roger W Hancock,
www.PoetPatriot.com
Using the Motto
The motto is probably the most under used tool that is available
to the church. The motto is a tool to be used to establish a
first impression. Many Churches do not have a "motto" while
others will have their motto only on their sign or website,
failing to take full advantage of the first impression the motto
provides.
The motto when branding the church should be displayed
everywhere the church name has a presence. Place your motto everywhere. Place it on your letterhead - on signs, in advertising,
in your bulletins and newsletters and in the introduction of the
recordings for your pastor’s messages. Business cards should
have the motto displayed rather prominently below the church
name or at the bottom in a font or font size that makes it stand
out. Name tags for use outside the church, at Conventions,
cooperative meetings and such, should show the church name and
motto.
Essentially the motto
becomes a part of the Church’s name, Wherever and whenever a person sees the name, they
receive the impression provided by the
accompanying tag-line… your motto. Using the motto on every
piece of literature and with every fixture where the name is
attached, puts forth and reiterates the impressionable message
of the motto. Securing the message of the motto is the branding
of your church. The motto is an essential component in the
marketing of your church to the world.
Lists of prospective mottos -
Original Mottos -
Mottos in Use
©
2009, Roger W Hancock,
www.PoetPatriot.com |
