Questions and comments relate to the following slides:
- What role do the churches buildings have in supporting the Church’s mission?
- For 2000 years we Christians have gathered. Why?
- The room in which we worship our God can encourage us in our relationship with him. Issues of focus, concentration, transcendence, symbolism and simplicity may help in expressing our appreciation for the relationship. What helps us in our worship?
- Have you tested your concept of Sacred Space? Is it based upon traditional usage? Do you use a multi-purpose room for worship? Ask, “What activities are we comfortable to have take place in our church buildings and why?” Here is one church’s conclusion.
- Many church leaders say they, “…lose people on the way to coffee”. Fellowship time before or after worship consolidates the worship experience into everyday life and promotes caring for one another. A hospitality foyer adjoining the worship space encourages church growth.
- The size, shape and furnishing of rooms can encourage or discourage relationships. Different size gatherings need different size rooms. This church has rooms for gradual size increases from 2 to 360 people. 80% to 40% rule applies (see MPSM book Ch 31).
- What does your building say to the people passing by? “Been here a long time and now completely irrelevant”? Or perhaps, “Something happens here that has stood the test of time and is now relevant to contemporary life”?
- Is there a sense of transparency, welcome, the offer of hospitality, does it invite curiosity? Or is it closed up, looking like the private member’s club, rarely open?
- This church built a café and conference centre together with a children’s play centre. They run special events for families, giving parents time together over a meal to help build their relationship. This ministry developed following several suicides in the locality. How does your church use its buildings to bless its neighbours? Who would you like to encourage over the threshold.
Studio B Architects 