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Christianity Today, May, 2009 |

Theology in Wood and Concrete

Six Protestant churches that strive to match form with faith.

Gary Wang | posted 5/29/2009 09:48AM

Protestant churches at the turn of the century asked themselves, How can we continue to build lavish buildings when there are people in need and missionaries to support? Like the rising modernists, they ...

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status_kwo

Posted: June 10, 2009 12:44 AM


I think this is a great start for Protestants. I study medieval history and if you look at the churches of that era, erected by Catholics, you can tell exactly where the focus of their lives was. Their beautiful spires reached toward the heavens and the church was meant to be an offering to God. Remember you will always have the poor but an offering to God is a beautiful thing as well.

kap	Posted: June 08, 2009 7:04 PM


Such great comments about the church buildings but we have to use our imagination in the absence of pictures??

jgrig2

Posted: June 01, 2009 11:48 AM


This article makes me glad that Presbyterian churches have the Directory for Publick worship to help guild them a bit in these things. It is legtimate to use money on the building if the need requires it but if you actually think the looks is why most persons leave or join a church, that church is beyond hope to begin with.

Janice Allen

Posted: June 01, 2009 9:02 AM

We all know that the Church of Jesus Christ is the people and not the buildings, however having a defined, legitimate gathering place for corporate worship, fellowship, training and teaching is a powerful tool to strengthen and grow the local Church especially in areas where Christianity is the minority religion. I am involved with a ministry that has been in existence over 20 years and through partnerships with indigenous leaders in developing countries we have come alongside their ministries to provide resources for over 3,300 churches to be built for existing congregations in 50 countries that have no place to gather and worship. The ministry is International Cooperating Ministries (www.icm.org). Our partners design solid multi-functional structures in the primarily rural areas in which we work ---building costs are typically under $10 per square foot (significantly below the $120-200 per square foot in the USA). I can personally testify to the impact of a church building.

Artful Christian

Posted: June 01, 2009 6:51 AM

The previous comments strike me as unimaginative and naiive. Do these writers live in a tent in a public park so they won't give in to the materialism of owning a home? I'm sure they also work in buildings designed to suit the purposes of their companies. We give careful thought to worship space to glorify God. Human art, including architecture, can be an act of praise. The best of our efforts fulfill that purpose for centuries.Our caution is that it not become idolatry. Thank you for the article.

elly	Posted: May 31, 2009 3:55 PM

As a craftsman (woman), and a McLuhan-ist, it brings me joy to see a mini-revival of church architecture. The "why build such things when there are people in need" argument baffles me, though. Think of the old cathedrals: lavish, yes; expensive, yes; but building these big, intricate, and architecturally complex structures meant guaranteed, steady employment for a usual bare minimum of three generations of peasants, labourers, etc. Obviously, it no longer takes 400 years to build a church, but any creative structure provides more, and longer-term, jobs than building a box. If any of the churches profiled above stopped funding their existing missions and charities in order to pay for the buildings, well obviously that would be a problem, but I don't see any evidence of this. I'm going to go 'out there' and suggest that the "building harms people in need" argument is a straw man.

dianne in AZ

Posted: May 30, 2009 9:49 PM


Agree... where's even one picture? Sacred space? Does God even care about such things? I suggest a contemplative reading of Exodus, with close attention to the use of acacia wood. Love God, love neighbor. Create a sacred place for worship... Use that space to love our neighbor.

Peter

Posted: May 30, 2009 9:17 PM


A picture is worth . . . so why no photos with this article?

Texan in China

Posted: May 30, 2009 7:32 AM

Some have commented that the Church is people, not buildings, and that we shouldn't "waste" money on church buildings when so many people are in need. But let's think about this: architecture does matter. Consider the great cathedrals of the Middle Ages--they took generations to build, yet their beauty was inspired by the worship of Almighty God, and inspired worship of Him in turn. So, yes, I do think it's worth the time, effort, and money to give adequate attention to a building's architecture, because whether we realize it or not, the architecture of our churches does send a message to the surrounding community.

Christine

Posted: May 30, 2009 4:01 AM

Here in Africa, few congregations have the financial resources to build separate churches and halls. Most erect multipurpose buildings, with easily moveable seating instead of fixed pews, so that weekday gatherings, youth ministries and community activities (often schools or crèches) may be accommodated – not only Sunday services. Of course, the interior of any church should be well maintained, clean and tidy, and made as aesthetically attractive as possible - better than our own homes - also the exterior and the approach to the building, which will give good or dreadful first impressions of what goes on inside. At the end of the day, wherever we meet in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, He is with us, and we are the Church, whether in a traditional building, a humble home or under the shelter of a thorn tree. I know that all of us will agree that Holy Spirit leads souls to the Father in many different ways and in all sorts of places.

Christine

Posted: May 30, 2009 4:00 AM

mumtaz ayoub

Posted: May 30, 2009 1:48 AM

i just came from upper Egypt where were some "Christian festivals" and the Christian communities there in need to the basics of life, i think the church must think thousands of times before spending money in wood and concrete, while sisters and brothers in deep need, please come out of that box and come here to see and thin decide which building you are going to build? and more important where is that building will be???/ here on earth!!!!!!!!!

Steve

Posted: May 30, 2009 12:48 AM

1.) The Presbyterian reno gives built form to their theology of sacrament -- the architecture itself is meaningful. 2.) The Quakers also expressed their theology -- in the natural simplicity of the architecture, the consideration they gave their neighbors, and the "redemption" of the drainage ditch; beautiful and meaningful. 3.) Fortunately for the Alabama Baptist congregation, their pedestrian request for the "Cadillac of churches" was redeemed by their architect who engaged them in an experience of theology- and environmental justice-making. 4.) Jae Cha infuses the form of her church buildings with theological values and also forces them to serve the social needs of the community. 5.) The Korean children's chapel looks like an academic exercise. 6.) The Vineyard saved an artistic gem from demolition only to strip it of meaning -- perhaps the result of too many years in their more typical "worship warehouse".

Nana	Posted: May 29, 2009 10:04 PM

Mustard Seed is right. The church is people not buildings. However, we must also remember the oil that was poured on Jesus head which Judas claimed was wasteful. As far as any of these churches, although I do worship in a building, I would rather be in a forest, on a beach or looking at the stars at night than any of the buildings shown here. I did not see anything inspiring or anything in the structure of any of these buildings that would be conducive or symbolic drawing our thoughts closer to Jesus Christ. They were all cold, uninviting, and uninspiring. That of course is just my opinion and how they affected me.

Tracy McCollister

Posted: May 29, 2009 8:34 PM

The church buildings should represent the King of Kings, the Supreme Being -- They should be as royal as possible, yet show the people that they are important members of the Kingdom of God. The building also needs to fit into the community in a way that people are attracted to it and feel comfortable in it. Also, one of the key elements of worship is communication. The acoustics should be of the highest order.

Stan	Posted: May 29, 2009 5:16 PM


Okay, interesting article, but after that, isn't a picture (at least one) worth a little more?

Mustard Seed

Posted: May 29, 2009 5:02 PM


Let's stop confusing the Church with a church building. The Church Christ came to build is made of people, not wood and concrete. So still I ask, "How can we continue to build lavish buildings when there are people in need?"

M	Posted: May 29, 2009 4:00 PM


Grand buildings but the local food bank is out of flour and salt......... this is not like the anointing oil for Jesus.....pastors will be held accountable......have you ever wondered why God has to wipe away tears in heaven?

Charitas

Posted: May 29, 2009 1:46 PM


"Theology in wood and concrete". Here are examples of creativity, planning, and accomplishment. However, very little theology is demonstrated or even mentioned.

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