Building Trends

The design of church buildings in America have changed drastically over the last two decades, and this is especially true of urban buildings. Two main factors, cost and ministry drive today’s designs. While cost is always a factor in all areas, the cost of land within cities makes it very hard for churches to build new facilities. Ministries being provided through urban churches have changed over the past two decades meaning that the designs of church facilities must reflect these new ministries.

The facilities must fit the context of the community and people where the church is located. Urban churches no longer take the shape of the traditional church. Instead of the traditional sanctuary, new trends call for multiple use worship centers, often allowing less square footage overall and better use of all of the churches space. Remodeling existing warehouses, big box stores, and even old church buildings, new urban churches are moving in and thriving.

New churches have more technology built in than ever before, and it is crucial that church engage a lighting and sound company for advice during the design phase. Many architects do not have the knowledge level for adequately designing sound, screens, and multimedia, all of which are vital in today’s church for meaningful worship and congregational engagement.

Church lobbies have grown larger and designed to accommodate welcome centers, bookstores, coffee and juice bars, and seating for information interactions of members and guest. While churches are more accommodating of infants and young children, adult classroom space is on the decline in newer and renovated facilities as more discipleship and Bible Study groups are encouraged to meet in homes.

Whereas the Boomer generation looks at small urban buildings and sees limited space as challenges, the Millennial leader sees opportunity for creativity and ministry. Millennial leaders view church facilities as tools for doing ministry and nothing more; Boomers struggle with this mentality, as they tend to see the facilities as sacred houses of God.

Caught between two centuries, born a Boomer and training Millennial leaders, I find myself grieving the loss of theological architecture. I miss the twelve steps “leading worshipers up into the presence of God” and the beautiful stain glass windows, but I’ve always been a realist. Buildings must be functional. While it looks pretty to have a bride and groom descend the high steps and it makes for beautiful pictures, I have watched pallbearers struggle with carrying caskets down them and the elder and physically challenged struggle to climb up them.

It is a good thing that urban churches are reclaiming old buildings for their use, and it is good that the design is being driven more by ministry and cost. In this post-Christian age in America, churches must use their limited resources wisely. Churches must remember that the apostles did not build huge buildings for their memorials. Church facilities are just a tool, a place for ministry, a place where people can still meet God. It is time for us Boomers to get over it and see this new trend as a positive for reaching people for Christ!