Remember those church bulletin boards? If not, perhaps it’s because they lacked appeal. Our lives as believers can have a similar effect. People may not even take note that we’re followers of Jesus. — God’s intent, however, is that our lives make people want to stop and investigate further. We authenticate the message when we reflect His light around us (Matt. 5:14-16).
The Kind of Bulletin Boards that Barely Gets Noticed
It’s easy to pass by bulletin boards that are cluttered or outdated.
1) Cluttered bulletin boards make it hard to tell what really matters.
When our lives are filled with so much busyness, stress, or dysfunction, it’s hard to identify what really matters in our lives.
- What is most important, or central, in your life?
- Can people see Christ in the midst of all the clutter?
2) Outdated bulletin boards, with images and content that rarely change, lose their relevancy.
When our lives and churches get stuck in ruts and we keep repeating what we’ve always done even it it doesn’t work, it’s hard to imagine that being a Christian makes a difference.
- What is Jesus doing in your life today?
- Can people see the difference He makes in your life?
Just as it is easy for people to pass by these kinds of bulletin boards and barely notice their existence, so people might dismiss our lives in Christ if we live similarly.
What Makes People Stop and Want to Investigate
A document for Bible Teachers, Make Bulletin Boards Super, provides a number of tips for designing bulletin boards that have a greater potential of getting noticed. The following suggestions have parallels to our lives:
1) Have a central theme.
What a difference it makes when everything we do is because of, for, according to, and through the Lord, to show love to Him and bring glory to His name.
- Does your life reflect Jesus in all you say and do? (Matt. 5:14-16)
2) Keep changing.
When people see the transformation Jesus makes in us, they can’t help but notice. They will be drawn to Christ in us. Our lives will make the message look attractive (Titus 2:10).
- Are you yielding to the Spirit so you’re becoming more and more Christ-like? (Gal. 5:13-26)