Building for God in Changing Times

This is the first in a series of 5 articles that explore the idea of creating buildings for the church within this time of cultural change.

Consider some words that are part of the Post modern culture shift: Globalization, Internet, cell phones, satellite, CNN, Builder/Boomer/Buster/Gen X/Millenial/Nexters, Super String Theory, Spirituality.

For the North American Church the times that we find ourselves in are changing. Just as the Gutenberg Press revolutionized the Reformation by allowing the masses to participate in and encouraged the development of the modern western world view, so too will modern communication technology help the shift to a post modern culture by allowing instant communication to a global audience. Change is occurring faster than at any time in history. We can all see this, and yet,

Perhaps this French proverb isn’t far from the truth. There are issues of commonality that seem to transcend time and others that speak to the moment. Although outwardly there have been many styles of church buildings, the elements are often the same: Worship space; community space; education space and support space. To varying degrees, these have been enlivened through symbols, creativity, and spirituality.

So where should we find direction and inspiration for church buildings? One would think that the scriptures would explicitly describe this large investment that churches make. This was true for the Old Testament community of faith. There, the LORD gave very clear and open instructions for the tabernacle and later gave David the inspiration for the Temple of Solomon. Even the rebuilding of the temple under Nehemiah seems to have God's blessing. Both of these buildings model a layering of separation from God. But with Jesus' crucifixion and the tearing of the Temple curtain comes the removal of this separation between God and his people. Consequently, the New Testament scriptures are incredibly silent on church buildings. Jesus' main references to buildings were for spiritual teachings. His teaching about the person who built his house upon the sand vs. the person who built upon the rock, speaks to the importance of solid spiritual foundations. In fact, his comments about the temple were about cleansing or tearing it down. The rest of the New Testament gives no further direction on what a building for the church should include or look like. Apparently, Jesus did not seem to see the need to instruct us on how and what to build. While many have tried to build for God, it really is inconceivable, since “heaven is his throne and earth is his footstool.” Elsewhere, God also asks rhetorically, where is the “place you can build for me?” He doesn't need it since the whole world is created by Him making no one place by definition more sacred than another. Perhaps Jesus' reaction to the Temple is consistent with this idea. Are we to follow the Old Testament separation models or are we allowed freedom to explore and be creative?

Fundamental to the discussion is the question, "Is a church a building for God or is it a building for the people of God?" If it is not necessary to build for God, we may need to build for the worshipping community. If the decision is made to build, then what is built must at minimum meet the programmatic needs of the users. The facility must shelter us, and lift the spirit so that when the worshipping community gathers, the space becomes ‘special’ and ‘set apart’, encouraging the church to be God’s agents of reconciliation in the world.

Over the next four articles, we will examine some of the fundamental issues surrounding a church community's decision to build within the context of a shift to a post-modern culture. We need to rethink the role of purpose built church buildings. The next article in the series will consider BUILDING INTENTIONALLY.

Stephen J Mawdsley is a Partner and Principal Architect of SJMA. If you would like to discuss these concepts in more detail, Stephen can be reached at 519.649.0220 or stephenm@arch-pm.com