There has been a cultural shift taking place in America for decades that has had a direct impact on churches, but the disruptions of 2020 have accelerated those trends even further. From changing perceptions about faith and religion to declines in attendance and giving, ministries are being challenged like never before to adapt to new realities and develop new strategies for doing church. 

The historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Escondido, California was in need of a major facelift, and New Vintage Church planned for a 21,018-square-foot remodel and addition of the two-story landmark. Known as “The Grand,” the 83-year-old theater, which had been vacant since 2005, was converted into a dual-purpose church sanctuary and theater that will be made available to the public. In addition to being the new home for the church, the remodeled theater includes a mixed-use center for the musical and performing arts and a single-screen movie theater.

As a result of the economic impact from the pandemic, the number of retail store closures in the U.S. is projected to increase to as many as 15,000 in 2020. Some analysts are estimating that up to 100,000 retail store locations could close down by 2025. These retail closures represent potentially hundreds of millions of square feet of commercial space coming onto the market over the next 5 years, offering opportunities for many growing churches that are looking for more affordable expansion solutions. 

The COVID-19 Crisis has challenged us to rethink how we go about our every day lives and how we will gather together into the future. Learn about 3 key areas of consideration for your church building that can help you address the needs and concerns of the most vulnerable in your congregation and your surrounding community. 

If your church is planning a building or remodel project, one of the most crucial first steps is choosing the right project delivery method. Each method has its characteristic advantages and disadvantages and it’s important to choose a delivery method that best meets the specific needs of your organization. Learn about the pros and cons of the two most common construction delivery methods, and discover a unique hybrid of both models called the Trinity Partnership. 

Design choices early on can have a significant impact on the sustainability of your building, property and resources in the future. Although many non-profits cannot justify the high expenses associated with LEED Certification, there are a number of environmentally sustainable design strategies that can reduce life cycle costs and lower the impact on the environment, which allows us to glorify God through our careful stewardship of His creation.

August 2020 – Building God’s Way announced a milestone this week as the company recently began design work on its 900th ministry-based project. Since 1997, BGW has helped ministry organizations across 47 U.S. states and 3 foreign countries to realize their God-given vision through innovative, stewardship-driven design.

Southwest Christian High School in Chaska, MN was selected for publication in the American School & University® 2019 Architectural Portfolio. The project is featured in the November/December 2019 edition of the magazine and also online at www.SchoolDesigns.com. An annual competition honoring education design excellence, the Architectural Portfolio spotlights projects representing today’s most effective learning environments.

As an architect who has worked with hundreds of churches over several decades, I’ve been on the front lines of this massive conceptual shift — especially over the last decade — in the way churches are designed and constructed. From the continued evolution of “third place” gathering areas that foster organic community and have become the new focal point in the church floor plan, to worship spaces that incorporate technology in new and innovative ways, today’s churches are definitely “not your parents’ church”.

While it is not unusual for a church to rent out its social hall, it is unusual for a church to do what Believers did: Plan, erect and dedicate more than 28,000 square feet of space for all kinds of paying events. “My message to the congregation has been that the church is not a building – we are the church. That message reinforces the concept of HUB 757,” said Jamey Stuart, senior pastor at the church. “Our primary purpose is to have our space become a hub of the community as it engages around events like meetings and receptions. We want to be engaging.”