Don't Hide your Church

Christianity Today reported findings from a Barna Group survey of 2,000 Americans (Christian and non-Christians), who were asked about church building looks and architecture. "Nearly 90 percent of Americans say a church should be “easily identifiable,” and 8 of 10 say they want the building to 'reflect the beauty of God.'”1

The idea that churches should appear trendy, modern, and non-churchy looking, simply isn't true according to the data. Most Americans, even those who may not go to a church, believe a church should look like... a church. If they take of their time to go, then the place they go should convey a sense of awe, respect, reverence, and that something holy and divine happens there.

Nothing I have said here is meant to cast criticism on churches that are in storefronts, use metal buildings, etc. There may be times when a church can only use modern looking business type buildings. My point simply is that it is a mistake to think that when designing a church building (inside and out), it must look trendy, modern, and well... not like a church so they can draw people in. 

Most people are not 'seeking' churches that don't look like a church. It seems people want to know that what they are about to go into is something meaningful and reflective. The smoke and light show on a concert stage does not convey a sense of reflection and reverence... at least according to the data.

Christianity has the best news on earth a person can hear, and we gather on Sundays to worship the one true God who created the heavens and the earth. Maybe then, our buildings of worship, on the outside and inside, should look like we are there to honor the one and only true God, the Creator of all. I think people, whether they be religious or not, pick up on if a church is being authentic in its purpose to call people to the divine, or if a church is being insincere by simply trying to get people in the doors with trendy appeal.

If a church has a churchy looking outside, then make sure the inside matches a sense of reverence, reflection, and worship of the divine. On the other hand, if a church has a modern looking, storefront style building, fine. Make sure the inside conveys that something reflective, holy, and focused on the divine happens in that building when people walk in. 

The data seems to suggest that younger generations are asking more questions about faith and religion. Post-modernism has failed them and they are starting to realize this. I think as we head into the future, we owe it to people (we owe it to God maybe) to give them confidence that when they enter our churches, they can visibly see we are about the Lord's worship and business.

1 https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/03/best-church-architecture-new-building-survey/