Church Apperance

[Hooper]

We are looking to remodel our church buiding inside and out. What makes you want to stop and visit a certian church? Do you like the triditional brick and steeple? Once inside do you like pews or chairs? Do you like having hymnals etc....? What attracts you to want to come back or not? Just trying to get ideas. Should we stay traditional or update ?
Thanks all.

[MrJim]

If you are just interested in "attracting" people then make it look like walmart or the mall, that always attracts lots of people ;)

Seriously the only issue I've ever had with a structure/site is parking. I've been part of lots of congregations and visited lots of churches, and that's really the only "complaint" I've ever had. And even there I didn't mind parking on the street or down the block (it was a small congregation with a tiny parking lot in the city) since what was going on inside was more important.

[Morgaine1205]

I agree with Menno, parking is important - and greeters are important to me too, I love being greeted (and I also loved volunteering to be a greeter) and just that initial friendliness! :)

As for me, I would rather have pews, Bibles and hymnals, and I think the pulpit area is important too. I visited a small church recently that was quite lovely, however they had covered up their cross and stained glass window with a large projection screen.

Also, as Menno said - it's what is going on inside that is important - not the trappings :)

God bless!

[jsimms615]

We are looking to remodel our church buiding inside and out. What makes you want to stop and visit a certian church? Do you like the triditional brick and steeple? Once inside do you like pews or chairs? Do you like having hymnals etc....? What attracts you to want to come back or not? Just trying to get ideas. Should we stay traditional or update ?
Thanks all.
I was going to try a new church today and when I got there it looked like they were meeting in a garage. I turned around and left. It wasn't just that it looked like a garage, but it looked dirty and I think God's house should at least be clean.

[dancingwithhim]

When I have looked for a church, I looked at the name first. I also asked around about the church and even called the church to talk to someone about their beliefs.

When I went, if the greeters were friendly and the people seemed warm, then that is what I looked at. To me, it is the people that make the church.

I think that it is neat that you are remodeling. It is relaxing when a place looks nice and the atmosphere is good too. God Bless your church in this project. =)

[Rick Otto]

but what I'm a real sucker for is a drive-thru window.:D

[Morgaine1205]

but what I'm a real sucker for is a drive-thru window.:D
I think they have lots of those in Las Vegas! ;)

[BarbaraJean]

My husband has studied this a great deal because we are starting a building project. A big one, in fact. We've outgrown our property and must build an entirely new building!

His research has shown that the appearance of your church is very important! One thing to consider is who you are trying to attract.

[Rick Otto]

Which reminds me... how much of a choice do you get (in who to attract)?
And may I suggest one of those metal buildings, modified of course? Metal roofs are almost maintenance free.

[BarbaraJean]

Which reminds me... how much of a choice do you get (in who to attract)?
And may I suggest one of those metal buildings, modified of course? Metal roofs are almost maintenance free.

Thanks, I'm pretty proud of my family. God has truly blessed me!

I should have explained that comment a little better. It's important to know your community.
~What ethnic groups are there?
~Are there are lot of elderly people?
~Or are there mostly younger couples with children?
~Is it a rural community who will prefer the traditional church appearance?

That sort of thing is what I meant needed to be considered. We live in a rural area but it is a community of young families so when we build we will have a more contemporary facility. A church in our area recently erected a steel building which has no windows and really looks like a business. We want to the building to have a somewhat contemporary appearance but yet maintain the appearance of a place of worship. We want people driving by to recognize it as a church building without ever having to read our sign.

Does that make better sense? ;)

[flaglady]

I knew the very first moment I set foot in Hope Church that I had to come here - it felt like 'home' and still does. It wasn't the people or the meetings - on that particular occasion, the church was being invaded by around 2,000 visitors for a conference! Neither was it the neighbourhood - locally Hendon is known as "Little Beiritz"! There's been two murders there in the past 12 months.

It took me around 18 months to hear God on the subject, but I did finally move up here and have nver regretted it, not for a moment.

Inside, the church has a vaulted ceiling around 55-60 feet high and is very impressive, especially for a modern building. This photo will give you some idea....

[ny5i]

You are providing a physical home for where your church family can meet and praise God. It has to be built to facilitate that first.

I have seen churches in shopping malls... locally one called the "Grapevine" that I didn't see a service but saw the sanctuary through the closed mesh gate, it was made to attract a younger urban congregation - something I understand it does very well.

Buffalo (I live in a small village north of there) has a megachurch with a movie-theater style wedge on the front that shows the church schedule when there is no service and shows the service when there is one!

The church that I go to is a small one and the architecture reflects the community in a way. The village I live in was a tourist attraction in the late 1800's and has always been a fishing and sailing village (right on the shore of Lake Ontario); the sanctuary in our church building looks like an inverted hull of a ship with cross beams and a "keel"... then again our church is 177 years old and this building was built around the 1850's or so.

[If Not For Grace]

What attracts me most is the minister--but I understand your question.

A Peaceful, Serene Place with comfortable seating. I confess I am drawn to Stained Glass and I really would once like to have a regular church that was properly Heated and cooled. (Hot in the choir/pulpit and cold in the back is typical---) If you are on a budget I say Windows and Seating--IF not I also confess I too like the high vaulted ceilings.

[HumbleMan]

Unfortunately what draws people the most is the appearance of success in the congregation. People place a lot of importance on being seen as successful, and hanging with the right crowds, and many churches are catering to that.

(sorry for the rant)

Keep it modest, keep it clean, keep it truthful, and keep the faith. God will increase.

Personally, I like to meet in tents, and storefronts, and people's homes.

[RenewedbyFaith]

We are looking to remodel our church buiding inside and out. What makes you want to stop and visit a certian church? Do you like the triditional brick and steeple? Once inside do you like pews or chairs? Do you like having hymnals etc....? What attracts you to want to come back or not? Just trying to get ideas. Should we stay traditional or update ?
Thanks all.

I would say the building or the appearance of the building is the least important thing to me.

I've gone to church in a pole barn near the arctic circle and church in a mud hut on the equator and they meant more to me than any quaint brick and steeple.

I'm actually getting tired of North American church. I think Americans focus too much on how things look, and not enough on what things are.

Don't build a church--BE the church!

Then people will beat a path to your door no matter what the door looks like.

[BarbaraJean]

I would say the building or the appearance of the building is the least important thing to me.

I've gone to church in a pole barn near the arctic circle and church in a mud hut on the equator and they meant more to me than any quaint brick and steeple.

I'm actually getting tired of North American church. I think Americans focus too much on how things look, and not enough on what things are.

Don't build a church--BE the church!

Then people will beat a path to your door no matter what the door looks like.

You are absolutely right - we Americans do put too much importance how things look. But... one way to get them through the door is by having a nice appearance. Then... give them Jesus and they'll want to come back. :thumbsup:

[RenewedbyFaith]

You are absolutely right - we Americans do put too much importance how things look. But... one way to get them through the door is by having a nice appearance. Then... give them Jesus and they'll want to come back. :thumbsup:

Can you tell me who these people are that are attracted to a church because it is nice to look at?

I doubt that very many people today go to a church unless they know someone who goes to that church. I would think that very few people feel comfortable walking into a church building without knowing someone there already.

The best way to experience growth is to get out into the community and do the things Christ would do and let your light shine among men (and women) so that they will praise your Father who sent you.

The Bible is pretty specific about how to grow the church, and it doesn't say anything about whether to have pews or chairs or a blue rug or energy-efficient lights. People want a church that does what Jesus would do.

[MsAnne]

It would have never even occurred to me to design a church to attract people. I just never thought about it that way.
As far as preference, I by far prefer the look of the church I grew up in - Steeple, real stained glass windows, beautiful pews. The church I attend now couldn't be further from that description. But what's funny - I love the look of the church I grew up in, but spiritual growth was minimal. The churches I've belonged to since then, far more modern looking, but much deeper spiritual teaching.

[BarbaraJean]

I apologize. I certainly never meant to offend you.

I believe that anything we do for God we should do well. When building a church and spending God's money we need to take many things into consideration. The poster of this question is showing wisdom in seeking opinions concerning this issue. I've stated mine.

He was asking specifically about the church building. Now if he had asked about discipleship and ministry outside of the building then I would have given him some suggestions in that area.

Certainly, what you have to offer the unbeliever (or the believer, for that matter) is more important than the appearance.

[iannassah]

Hey there! :wave:
This is just what i think but i think it is kind of how God looks at us...we might look proper or down to earth but what HE really cares about is what is inside of us, because that is what will come out of us! HE made us in HIS image and just like HIM i think that what people really look for are sincere real Christians. Looks in a Church building are just the cherries n nuts on top!

[Doer]

I like the brick style. Anything that has a carpet, pews, bibles, a worship team, and of course the holy spirit, and I'm in.