There’s much more to a desirable church design than attractive, or even unique, elements. A church building should serve as a tool for ministry. However, sometimes church leaders get caught in the trap of focusing on unique designs rather than functional spaces, which can hinder ministry efforts and growth. Here is why this, as well as copied church designs, are two potential pitfalls to avoid.
Unique for Unique Sake Is Not the Goal
Many older churches that were designed to be architectural statements have, today, become unusable. While eye-catching designs might attract attention, they often fail to provide the practicality and flexibility a church building needs to grow and change with the times. For example, consider the church shown in the image here. This is not a McKnight project, but it’s a building we’re familiar with, and which truly demonstrates the point. Built in the 1950s or 60s, this church features a striking, unconventional look that likely stood out at the time. However, the design sacrifices functionality. As the congregation grew and ministry needs evolved, expanding or adapting this building had to become a significant challenge. Its unique architecture, while visually distinct, makes it nearly impossible to create additional worship space or repurpose rooms for activities like youth programs or children’s religious education.
The lesson here is clear: prioritize function over form. Your church building should be versatile and able to support its unique vision for ministry, both now and in the future. When planning your church design, ask yourself how each space will be used and whether it can adapt to changing needs. Consider features like multi-ministry spaces, flexible seating arrangements, and spaces that can accommodate different activities throughout the week. By focusing on function, you ensure that your building remains an asset to your ministry, rather than a hindrance.
Avoiding the Trap of Copied Designs
Another mistake to avoid is copying the design of another church. It’s easy to see a large church building in another state and think, “If it works for them, it will work for us too.” However, copied church designs rarely work well because they don’t consider the specific demographics, culture, and needs of your own community. It’s important to craft a design that reflects your church’s mission and the community you are called to serve.
Original designs also help avoid the pitfalls of unsuitable space configurations. For example, copying a design with a massive sanctuary might seem appealing, but if your congregation values small group meetings and community gatherings, you might find yourself with a beautiful but underused space. Instead, focus on a custom design that considers your ministry’s specific goals, ensuring that every square foot is utilized effectively.
The McKnight Group is passionate about helping churches build functional, flexible spaces that serve their ministry needs. We want church leaders to get the church building they need. It’s one reason why we offer our free i3 webinars, where we delve deeper into topics like church design trends, planning for growth, and maximizing your building’s potential. Our 2025 list of topics will be announced here and on our website soon, so stay tuned!