The paradox

Unchurched Americans say that they prefer church buildings which look more traditional than contemporary. But the churches which meet in buildings that look like a cathedral are in decline or dead. ~ Link

The fact is, that most people don't connect with buildings but with other people. They'll put up with bland architecture if the people are genuine -- and committed to the gospel.

Of course, it doesn't have to be either modern or traditional. When we designed the first phase of Cornerstone Covenant Church in Turlock, California, we went door-to-door asking the neighbors what they thought a church building in their neighborhood should look like. They said "traditional."

So we built a traditional looking building with a lot of flexible contemporary space inside. We can do both.

But it's not about the building -- regardless of what people tell pollsters -- really...