Church Executive CHURCH EXECUTIVE NOV-DEC 2017 DIGITAL | Page 11

#2: Make it community-focused
A good first step in engaging the community is to be focused on that
community. People are more willing to engage when they feel welcomed.
Leaders at Trietsch Memorial UMC in Flower Mound, Texas, saw the
opportunity to become better integrated into their local community by
developing a partnership with the city to build a community center on
their campus. Open to the public during the week and used by their youth
ministry as its venue on the weekends, the facility serves as hub of activity.
With a full gym, café, classrooms, soccer fields and more, there is
always an event to draw people in — it’s the church in the marketplace.
Incorporating hospitality amenities helps create more conversational,
casual environments. At Trietsch Memorial, the many seating areas
become connecting spaces for parents watching soccer games, as well as
for teens gathering after Friday night football.
Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, has an outreach ministry
for local at-risk teens which integrates basketball and bible study. As part
of the church’s master plan for its campus, the current worship center
renovations include plans to accommodate a full competition gym with
cross courts to better serve this ministry.
Serve your local community by designing space that engages their
interests and increases the chance they will walk through the door.
#3: Build in flexibility
Allowing for flexibility in how spaces will be used creates more
opportunities to tailor ministries for outreach and specific events.
First Baptist Church in Forney, Texas, incorporated this flexibility in the
design for its current campus expansion. Leaders needed a new worship
venue to accommodate growth; at the same time, they wanted to better
serve the community.
The new, 2,200-seat venue with retractable bleachers can be converted
into two full-size basketball courts with minimal effort. A walking track,
full weight room, rooms for aerobics and other classes — as well as a café
— add to their outreach to the community, as well as to the church body.
A flowing glass wall allows natural light to stream in the commons
space and into the fitness areas, giving a sense of vitality and energy
that refreshes.
The recreation aspect is just as much a driver as the worship; one cannot
exist without the other.
Parting thoughts
Knowing the purpose of what you want to accomplish is key. A
well-planned design that creates a welcoming, community-focused
environment prepares us for connection. This connection helps us to
relax, recharge, and maybe even have a little fun.
As Catherine Fenwick, author of Healing with Humor, notes: “Your body
cannot heal without play. Your mind cannot heal without laughter. Your
soul cannot heal without joy.”
Mark R Ashcraft is a senior associate of HH Architects in Dallas, Texas. He
serves as the Creative Director for the firm and has been blessed to work with
many ministries during his 16-year tenure.
Bruce Woody, AIA, is the president & CEO of HH Architects. He speaks
around the country on the importance of campus master planning and has been
working with ministries for more than 30 years.
#1: Know your purpose
When the average person thinks of a recreation space, they most likely
picture a gym. While this is true, these spaces are much more — they
are connecting spaces. They engage people and create opportunities for
interaction. They need to be intentional in their design for the activity you
want to encourage.
North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship in Plano, Texas, has a
strong Awana ministry. A main driver in the design of the children’s and
youth assembly rooms was the accommodation of Awana courts with
the required overruns for their Wednesday night service. Incorporating
Awana in the design allowed an effective overlap in use of the space,
reaffirming this space was designed for it, but without sacrificing the
sense of worship.
Moreover, bright colors and dynamic ceiling treatments create an
environment that says, “We have fun here.” Kids and their families
who come to the Wednesday evening service have the invitation to
delve deeper.
A 2,200-seat venue in worship converted to dual basketball courts for weekday
use at First Baptist Church in Forney, Texas.
The conversion of an existing sanctuary to a sports venue with
cross courts at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC.
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