IDEAS THAT WORK
January 1, 1993
BUILDING DESIGN INNOVATIONS
During thirty years as an architect and another dozen as a church consultant, I've worked on scores of church building projects. Time after time, these churches have stretched my thinking either by their example or by their situations requiring creative solutions. New ways of designing church facilities can save your church money. Creativity can also turn a poorly designed building into a more effective ministry tool. Here are several innovative ideas that, by changing your church design, can improve your ministry. The Ministering Center
For years I told building committees that the sanctuary was the heart of the church, a sacred space devoted exclusively to the worship of God. "Until you have such a sanctuary," I'd say, "the church's worship will never be all it should be." I was wrong. A church in Nampa, Idaho, asked me to design a worship space with a multi-level platform, movable choir seats, portable risers, and ramps to make it easy to move props and equipment on and off stage. They envisioned using the space for dramas, for an orchestra, and for various sized choirs that could move to different locations. Cracks began to appear in my rigid thinking. Three years later I designed my first completely flexible church facility. Worship, Sunday school, fellowship, and recreation all took place in the same area. Today I can no longer champion sanctuaries-a space designed for worship only. With soaring construction costs, many growing churches can't keep pace with their space needs. Instead, I recommend a "ministering center," a large area with a level floor and movable furnishings. This can be used not only for corporate worship but also weekly ministry activities. Every space is designed to be used seven ...
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