No one has redefined the way technology is used like Steve Jobs. He put the word "personal" in the personal computer. His subsequent breakthroughs with music players and phones have shown his uncanny ability to understand the market and create products that, in some cases, people didn't even know they needed.

So, if Steve Jobs were to design your next church building, I think he would offer three guiding principles.

1: Make It User-Centric
When Jobs approached telephone service carriers for the yet-unseen iPhone, it was a world the carriers ruled. Phones were just a way to get people locked into two years of service. Jobs successfully negotiated a new set of rules with AT&T. He also developed the most advanced (and beautiful) cell phone yet—all because of a relentless focus on the customer.

Translation: Church buildings should be designed based on who will use the building and how they will use it—including ways they haven't even considered yet. How do people interact with each other—virtually and in real life? Where do people find their sacred space? Where do the people in our ministry focus like to hang out? Answers to these questions have huge implications for building design.

If your mission is to bring to your building people who don't go to church (yours is an attractional church), then see your facility through the eyes of those people. A recent research project by Cornerstone Knowledge Network revealed that unchurched people prefer lots of signage, a beautiful worship space, and plenty of room for connecting with others.

If you are called primarily to disciple and equip others to influence their world (yours is an incarnational church), you might want to include areas for large-group and small-group teaching and interaction. Traditional religious icons and appointments may also be incorporated.

2: Make It Bug-Free
Macintosh computers are known for ease-of-use and resistance to external viruses. The operating system is designed to feel fun and intuitive to the user. It also separates user files from system files, providing maximum security.

Translation: Church building "buyers remorse" can be greatly reduced by getting the right players involved very early in the planning process. One of the most robust technological advances to help make this happen is Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM is a visual-based design development application that is dynamic throughout the entire planning and building process.

BIM allows all of the players to interact and collaborate on issues that would normally slow down construction or, even worse, become evident only after the building is built. For example, HVAC and plumbing lines can be seen virtually before installation rather than re-routing them in the field, saving both time and money.

3: Make It Beautiful
If you have an iPod or an iPhone, you know the graphics are crisp and the selection wheel is perfectly calibrated. In fact, the scroll wheel was the major sticking point that kept engineers going back and re-working the iPod until Jobs knew it was just right. This focus on design puts the iPod and iPhone in their own class.

Translation: People place a high value on design and aesthetics. Church leaders must embrace the creative side of building design. Most buildings (not just churches) are boxes, and the defining elements are exterior and interior finishes. If you've ever been to Branson, Missouri, and seen the incredible finishes of the theaters, you know how "boxes" can be turned into showplaces. A church may not be as elaborate, but it certainly doesn't have to look like a warehouse.

When my home church decided to re-invent our worship area, we chose the local Panera Bread restaurant colors as our color reference. We wanted the people in our worship area to feel comfortable and relaxed. The Panera color palette turned a white-walled warehouse (literally) into an inviting, warm environment. For a real life example of how Jobs translates his product design into buildings, visit one of the Apple retail stores. You'll see how a user-centric, bug-free, beautiful design can transform physical space. Imagine what an approach like this could do for your church.

Since 1983, Jim Couchenour has partnered with churches to design and build new facilities through his work with Cogun, Inc. Cogun is a member of the Cornerstone Knowledge Network, which provides relevant information to churches planning new facilities. He can be reached at yceditor@yourchurch.net.