I just received a rough draft copy of research that Cornerstone Knowledge Network sponsored with Lifeway Research. Amazing! We asked over 1,600 people who don't go to church, things like where they hang out and why, where they find their "sacred space" and what they like (and don't like) about church buildings.
I can't give much of the results here because we're going to unveil them next week in Indianapolis at the Cornerstone Knowledge Network conference. But there is one thing I didn't expect: traditional church design is preferred by the unchurched much more than I realize! When we gave them pictures to choose from, the more traditional, cathedral-type photos were ranked the highest in every case.
So what does this mean for those of us who help churches that are designing buildings that engage people who don't go to church? Are we designing buildings that only represent what we think will appeal to those folks?
Given my previous blog about multi-use space, I'm wondering if there is a balance between keeping the building flexible and still appealing to the unchurched.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Multi-Use Ministry Space
This morning I gave a presentation at the Church Solutions conference in Phoenix, AZ. It dealt with multi-use ministry space – the good, the bad – and what it means to my home church New Hope Community Church in Boardman, OH.
Here are the pluses:
1. MU space is highly changeable in the short-term – one space can house different activities in the same day
2. MU space is good stewardship – you get more uses which divides the cost of the space
3. MU space is “future-proof” – as your ministry methods change (and they will), the space can morph along with those changes
Here are minuses:
1. MU space requires a high degree of management – you need to dedicate staff and budget for scheduling, set up tear down, etc.
2. MU space requires high maintenance – use high quality materials and finishes because they take more of a beating
3. MU requires much creativity – you can finish out a “big box” very creatively if you partner with someone who has the expertise for it
My pastor, Paul Dazet gave his perspective on multi-use ministry space via audio (he was scheduled to be there, but got snowed in). He talked about how we are moving from a seeker-targeted approach to an incarnational form of ministry. He said we are trying to create ownership among our people so they will use our warehouse as a way to engage and connect with the community.
I am biased toward MU ministry space; because I believe more flexible buildings keep us from being locked into a way of doing ministry that will eventually become obsolete. While there are downsides, this is the way to future-proof that obsolescence.
Here are the pluses:
1. MU space is highly changeable in the short-term – one space can house different activities in the same day
2. MU space is good stewardship – you get more uses which divides the cost of the space
3. MU space is “future-proof” – as your ministry methods change (and they will), the space can morph along with those changes
Here are minuses:
1. MU space requires a high degree of management – you need to dedicate staff and budget for scheduling, set up tear down, etc.
2. MU space requires high maintenance – use high quality materials and finishes because they take more of a beating
3. MU requires much creativity – you can finish out a “big box” very creatively if you partner with someone who has the expertise for it
My pastor, Paul Dazet gave his perspective on multi-use ministry space via audio (he was scheduled to be there, but got snowed in). He talked about how we are moving from a seeker-targeted approach to an incarnational form of ministry. He said we are trying to create ownership among our people so they will use our warehouse as a way to engage and connect with the community.
I am biased toward MU ministry space; because I believe more flexible buildings keep us from being locked into a way of doing ministry that will eventually become obsolete. While there are downsides, this is the way to future-proof that obsolescence.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Books and Buildings
A book contains two stories. The first story is within the pages of the book. We read it and get absorbed in the characters and the plot. The other story is the one about the book itself. We make notes. We dog ear the pages. We remember where we were at certain points in the book. Perhaps we lend the book to someone else and then they lend it to another person.
At some point the book begins to have two distinct stories:
1. the original story inside the book
2. the story that evolves around the book itself – the people who read it, the written notes inside, the dog eared pages, whether it stays on the shelf or gets sold in a garage sale, etc.
This is true of buildings that are used for ministry. When a church builds a building, it is for the purpose of telling the gospel story. This is like the written story on the pages of the book.
After awhile the building itself begins to have its own story because of how it is used and what takes place within it. Carpets get worn. Windows get cleaned. People connect with each other and with God. Significant events such as weddings and baptisms take place.
So if you’re building a new facility, remember that in addition to the teaching and preaching that takes place, the building itself will begin to develop its own story. It will house events and connections that result from people learning and experiencing community with one another. No one can predict how that story will evolve, but it will be written. And, it can become more beautiful than we ever imagined.
At some point the book begins to have two distinct stories:
1. the original story inside the book
2. the story that evolves around the book itself – the people who read it, the written notes inside, the dog eared pages, whether it stays on the shelf or gets sold in a garage sale, etc.
This is true of buildings that are used for ministry. When a church builds a building, it is for the purpose of telling the gospel story. This is like the written story on the pages of the book.
After awhile the building itself begins to have its own story because of how it is used and what takes place within it. Carpets get worn. Windows get cleaned. People connect with each other and with God. Significant events such as weddings and baptisms take place.
So if you’re building a new facility, remember that in addition to the teaching and preaching that takes place, the building itself will begin to develop its own story. It will house events and connections that result from people learning and experiencing community with one another. No one can predict how that story will evolve, but it will be written. And, it can become more beautiful than we ever imagined.
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