Customer Reviews

Church Signs Across America

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This new book from Steve Paulson (and his wife) is a pleasure to flip through. The church signs are variably humorous, witty and even convicting. The book is well-made and the quality of the pictures is terrific. This would make a great gift for a pastor who needs to keep his church sign (as well as his pews) full. I recommend this book without reservation.

This is a wonderful, spiritually uplifting coffee table volume. The photos show 142 different messages on the roadside signs from a wide variety of churches throughout America. It's just as you would see them if driving by. Great stuff.

This absolutely delightful book includes a cross-section of the country's church signs. Sometimes amusing, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes inspiring and sometimes head-scratching. A powerful combination of marketing and faith. And, the architecture of the churches is a fascinating bonus. A perfect gift for someone in need of a lift.

I really thought this would be a book of the clever signs I often see in front of churchs. However, most were straight forward scriptures. I admire the authors for going to the trouble for collecting them, it just wasn't what I was hoping for. Could have been much better. The photos were nice tho.

Simon & Garfunkel brilliantly sang that words of prophets are written on subway walls. And on church signs, as captured in a spectacular photo journal by the creative couple Pam and Steve Paulson.

Andy Warhol used everyday scenes as a medium of art, Campbell's Soup, Marilyn Monroe. CHURCH SIGNS ACROSS AMERICA earns Five Stars for its creativity and portrayal of witty words written across America by unknowns. CHURCH SIGNS ACROSS AMERICA is more than a photog journal. It is a journey through the publishing world without a map, by two people destined to create something to inspire others, though odds were against them. It also exhibits architectural concepts of the churches that feature marquees with witticisms in this well-executed coffee-table volume.

Agnostics and even atheists appreciate clever quips captured by the Paulsons. The value of art can be measured by the impact on society the work has. Vincent van Gogh never sold a painting, while he was alive. Is his art good? You decide, on some starry, starry night.

As a cross-section of America's church signs, some are thoughtful, some amusing. If scratching your head doesn't help to understand the meaning, put away the book for a couple of days and think about it. First Reformed Church in Selkirk, New York would have us believe God signed its sign: Keep using my name in vain and I'll make rush hour longer. For the health conscious, Bible Church in Bridgeton, Missouri counsels: Swallow your pride, it contains no calories. First Baptist Church in Helena, Montana had a little problem: Sign broken, message inside this Sunday. Quaint Shiloh Baptist Church in Thomasville, Georgia advises: If someone is without a smile, give them yours. The Paulsons' journey through all 50 states ended at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Diego: Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church. But Central Christian Church in Salt Lake City has the last word: Best way to have the last word, apologize.

"Unknown authors across America wrote words of wisdom. We were blessed to read them all," said Pam and Steve Paulson, who reside in Central Florida. New York Times Book Review positively mentioned Church Signs Across America, as did Reader's Digest with its article, "It's a Sign". Life featured a two-page article and display, and E Online mentioned the book in "Cool Stuff" for six months. Sirius Radio's "Catholic Guy" interviewed the Paulsons. "People everywhere heard the interview," Pam bubbled. "It was a trip " England's Daily Mail and Guardian both featured Church Signs Across America, as did publications in languages the Paulsons can't read. "People at supermarkets leafed through tabloids and saw our book featured," Pam said. These successes inspired them to release another book next year, Church Signs Across America II.

This review was originally published by Christian Book Reviews for the hardcover version.
---Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy

I was a little disappointed. I expected more witty or insightful marques than were published.

Whether you are looking for a chuckle or a wake up call, this book is the one for you. I purchased it for my husband, for Christmas, and he absolutely loved it.

I hate to break it to the authors, especially after all the money they spent on gasoline driving around the country photographing these signs, but very, very few of these church signs are original. Most churches get these sayings off the web, at sites such as [...]. At best this book is a pictoral survey of church architecture.

Want to make your own church sign? Try [...]

My mom received this book as a gift. She enjoyed it so much she wanted one for her pastor.

It's sometimes a challenge to find gifts for mu husband's 87 year old mother, a devout charismatic Catholic with few material needs. Some are funny, some are thought provoking - a perfect gift to produce smiles to all.