Church Executive MAY-JUNE 2020 | Page 10

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