Church is a reflection of the senior leader’s story.
The church itself, that physical entity, the bricks and
mortar that we seem to invest so much in, will reflect who we are and what our
story is. Let me explain.
If our church building is old, run down and in need of
repair or a fresh lick of paint, then this presents the image that we are old
run down and of no use to anyone. If we are a pew and hymn book church then
what we may be saying to many is that we are people of tradition and have
little or no desire to engage with today’s society. Or we may be a church that
has a data projector, guitars and drums and a sound system and even some
rudimentary stage lighting, but still sing songs and play church music of ten
or fifteen years ago. What are we saying to people? Are we saying that we have
found our niche our fellowship and don’t need to learn anything new or engage
with anybody. Are we saying that we have arrived?
I believe, that the way we present ourselves, the way that
we engage with people, the buildings that we occupy and even the music we play
and sing, tells people who we are and what we represent. Churches and Church
Leaders attract like for like. There is no better demonstration of this than
the way the senior leader engages with and sets out the expression of their
story and vision.
Firstly a church is built around the story of the senior
leader. Hillsong church in the Hills area of Sydney Australia is built around
the story of Brian and Bobby Houston. Today we have a church that not only has
influence in the nation of Australia but influence through its churches and
music worldwide. However more than anything, Hillsong reflects the vision and
culture that the Houston’s believed possible. They project a young, modern
contemporary vision culture and Ideal that the message of Christ is significant
to the world today. Brian Houston has often said that the message stays the
same and has done for two thousand years, but the method by which we present
that message changes. Perhaps a representation of the way the message is
presented is the auditorium at their church. It is modern, up to date. It helps
through its events to project a vibrant culture that things can be done with
excellence. It shows that Christianity is relevant, that the message of the
cross can be presented in new and significant ways. What needs to remembered
though is that they did not start there. They started in a front room, but the
vision was not to stay there, or stay in rented facilities it was to build
their own place that would reflect the big things that God was able to do.
There are many churches in the western world that are
growing and many that are not. I would like to put forward the idea that one of
the reasons for this is that the buildings and auditoriums that those churches
occupy, do not reflect the story of the senior leader, their vision, culture
and ideals. The leadership of those churches do not believe in a God who can do
big things.
How then do we design our auditoriums to reflect our vision,
our structure, and our culture? I am not a design expert, I am sure there are
many ways of doing this, but I would look for the following:
Am I comfortable not just in the literal sense, but does the
atmosphere that is projected make me feel comfortable or does it intimidate me.
For example I have been in some churches where the wooden pews are hard and
uncomfortable, more so when the preacher preached for over an hour and a half.
I have also been in churches where there was modern seating with plenty of
padding but the preacher still preached for over an hour and I still felt
uncomfortable. It wasn’t the seating it was the atmosphere. I have been in
churches where the whole auditorium was enclosed by black curtaining, the
seating was of average comfort but there was a sense of being cosy and safe. I have also been
in churches where there was only back curtaining on the platform area and still
felt safe and secure. I have been in churches where the lighting was turned
down during the worship and turned up again when the announcements were given
and the Word of God was preached. Or where the music has been loud and young
people have stood at the front with raised hands and eyes closed as they have
worshipped a living and relevant God. I have even been in churches where they
have had a smoke machine. The point I make is it is not the design but the
atmosphere that is created that counts.
How big is the Auditorium? Is there room to grow? Do people
feel cramped and feel as though their personal space is being impinged upon? If
your churches are 80% full then you are full and people will begin to feel as
though they are in a cramped space. Design your auditorium to reflect future
growth, where curtaining and or walls can be easily taken down to facilitate
growth. If you use lighting systems and high tech sound systems make sure they
are manned by those who have been well trained Ensure that your platform has
the right proportions, is not too high or too big that it says that it is more
important than the congregation. It needs to be large enough for events and for
the worship group to grow and move around. The pulpit should be movable a fixed
pulpit can be an eyesore and detract from what is happening on the platform, I
much prefer a Perspex and chrome light weight pulpit. Do not neglect the foyer,
often this is where people get their first impression of the church, if they
like what they see they will like it even better when they enter the
auditorium.
I look for a well organised and well trained team of ushers
and helpers, who are efficient and friendly. I look to see if they are
enthusiastic and willing to serve. Their heart will reflect the heart of the
senior leader. Church doesn’t start when the first song is sung but it starts
in the parking area and the enthusiastic welcome that visitors and regulars
receive when they arrive. This is true not just of the Sunday services but
every service and event.
The decor, auditorium, platform and pulpit. The sound and
lighting systems, the various teams that help to run the programmes are all a
reflection of what the senior leader wants. This is the result of the vision
and culture of the senior leader being transmitted and absorbed by those who
ensure it is established. The senior leaders cannot allow themselves to be
diverted nor intimidated by minority parties within the church who only want
their own agendas catered for.
If we want our churches to grow then even the bricks and
mortar of our churches need to reflect the vision and culture that we are
cultivating. The church is a reflection of the Kingdom of God not a reflection
of the local pub or nightclub. It is amazing what a lick of paint and fresh
thinking can accomplish.
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