Qualities People Look for in a Church
Many people know what qualities they seek in a new church, such as a convenient location, friendly atmosphere, safe Children’s Department, and welcoming worship area. As they get plugged in, people look for sound preaching, a community they can contribute to, and volunteer opportunities where they can use their gifts to strengthen the Church’s mission. Knowing what people are looking for in a new church home will help you decide what to include in the design and preparation of your new building.
Many of these elements rely on the hearts and attitudes of staff and volunteers. But what about the church building itself? It’s essential for your new church building to convey the heart of your church — from the parking lot to the worship center.
For instance, if it’s a priority that your attendees have plenty of gathering space inside the building to help create community, certain aspects need to be considered in the design and plan of those spaces. For example, if more people gather in a particular place, does the traffic flow allow everyone to enter and exit the space easily? Is there enough space to put an appropriate number of sofas, chairs, and tables in that area? Are there restrooms nearby?
Thoroughly planning for and designing your new church building will help you create an environment that serves your church family and community for many years to come. In addition, detailed designs also help you foresee potential issues that can be resolved before they even occur.
So what elements are people looking for (even some that they aren’t consciously aware they’re looking for) that need to be considered as you begin planning for your new church building? Here is a short list of qualities and areas to consider as you plan to build your new church.
And remember, you don’t have to plan this on your own! An experienced church architect will have extensive and detailed knowledge of all elements to ensure the success of your new church building project!
Location
According to Lifeway Research, most churchgoers travel 15 minutes or less to church. This means that the location of your new church building is vital. What areas of your city or town are not already saturated with churches but are still close enough to be considered by church-seekers? Consider partnering with a realtor and church architect even at this stage of your building process. They can help you find a new location, whether it’s renovating an already established building or building from the ground up. If purchasing property is your best decision, they can help you determine the size and verify the quality of the land and even the soil before you purchase it.
A Welcoming Outside Appearance
Just because someone makes it to the parking lot doesn’t mean they will still walk inside. The outside of a church building needs to represent the attitudes of the Church inside — welcoming and warm. This is accomplished through cheerful, welcoming, well-trained volunteers, the building’s design, landscape, signage, and the cleanliness of the outside surroundings.
An Engaging, Safe Children’s Department
A key factor for families with young children is the Children’s Department. Parents want to know that their kids will be cared for in a fun, safe environment. Ensure the Children’s Department has clearly marked check-in areas, hallways, and rooms that allow easy traffic flow into and out of them. The colors, themes, and design — from check-in to hallways to classrooms — will help children be excited to be a part of their classroom! These first steps will help the process go smoother and more peaceful for both kiddos and parents.
Inviting Spaces to Chat
Attending Church is about community. Community happens with conversations and connections. Therefore, intentionally planning for multiple areas where a “gathering” can naturally occur is important. These spaces allow people to slow down and simply talk together. Maybe one of these gathering places includes a coffee bar and comfortable seating area where people can hang out to sip and chat. Perhaps there are areas with open spaces containing sofas, chairs, and plenty of room to stand out of the way and catch up with a friend. Designing these spaces is essential, but there are many other things to consider while you plan. Are the bathrooms nearby? Since more people will be in these areas, is the traffic flow spacious and easy to navigate?
Plenty of (Uncomplicated) Seating in the Worship Sanctuary
For someone visiting for the first time, it is vital to convey the message, “here is a seat just for you!” Nobody likes pushing through rows of people to find seating. Ensure plenty of room to pass by occupied seats to arrive at that perfect seat. In addition to having the appropriate amount of seating, once again, flow is a top priority. Plenty of volunteers stationed throughout the sanctuary to help answer questions and point out empty seating areas is extremely important. Be aware that sometimes new attendees may not want you to lead them to a seat that makes them uncomfortable, as location preference is a personal choice. Being keenly aware of visitors’ needs is extremely necessary for helping them feel comfortable and welcome.
Finding a new church home is an important decision for a person to make. Although it takes some time and effort, it is an excellent investment and well worth the process! The Church is more than a building; however creating an inviting and intentional space for people communicates the Church’s heart for them — you are welcome, you belong, and there is a place right here for you!