Ensuring an engaging churchgoing
experience — by design
In part 2 of this roundtable series, a brand-new set of design
professionals and ministry leaders discussed thoughtfully designed
church spaces for everyone — members, guests, visitors, children,
youth, seniors, and communities-at-large. They even tackle
engaging design strategies for multi-site churches.
Kevin Cravens
Creative Director
Worlds of WOW
worldsofwow.com
Mandi Davis &
Rachele Nowling
Design Team Leads
Inspire Church
inspirechurchhouston.com
Greg St. Cyr, D.Min
Lead Pastor
Bay Area Community
Church
bayareacc.org
Ravi S. Waldon, AIA,
LEEP AP
President
Waldon Studio Architects
waldonstudio.com
When we use the term "engaging design," when should that experience
start — and end — for church members, guests and visitors?
Cravens: For us, the engaging design experience starts — and ends —
at home.
A lot of families do their homework long before they step inside the
church doors. This is especially true for families with disabilities. They
first want to know if the church embraces an inclusive ministry and, if so,
what it looks like to show up at the church, to check in, to drop off their
children, to pick them up, and so on. For them, routine is really important.
When I say the experience ends at home, I speak from experience.
When we return from church, I ask, Are my boys able to tell me something
they learned?
We're passionate about the idea that an intentionally designed
environment can be an active participant in sending children
home encouraged.
Waldon: Engaging design in the church context refers not only to
a facility which serves its intended purpose and has clear circulation,
but also has an architecture that reinforces the vision, mission and
personality of the church and inspires people. It encourages interaction
and community and also reinforces a sacred moment.
In our modern world, an engaging experience starts even before a firsttime
visitor steps foot on the site, beginning with the church website
or the welcome by church members. It’s that first impression turning
onto the property and noticing the sign or if the building is appealing
or tired. It’s felt in the drive leading to the church parking lot and the
landscaping. It’s in the walk up to the building. Does it feel approachable,
friendly and secure? Newcomers will notice things regular attendees
might overlook. Is it clean? Did someone greet me? Do I know where to take
my children? Do I feel safe leaving them there?
If our built environment sets the mood and tone of a building, then
a wrong tone means the congregation must work harder to express its
real personality.
For example, a poorly maintained facility can cast a shadow on
the warm, caring people inside and simply be one added hurdle to an
inviting experience for a visitor.
Engaging design avoids building in impediments to ministry. If the
building is a ministry tool, how much better if the spaces are in the right
locations? If hallways are wide enough, lounge and fellowship areas are
comfortable, learning spaces facilitate learning at each respective age, and
functional sanctuaries have good lighting, ventilation and acoustics?
Engaging design means simply that the design allows for engagement
to the more important things: worship, fellowship and learning.
It is creating a place that people want to linger just a little bit longer
like the longing felt by the disciples on the Emmaus Road: “Did not our
hearts burn within us…” The building experience should help foster that
sense of longing to be with others who love Jesus and the enjoyment of
being there.
10 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | MAY / JUNE 2020