There is certainly room for churches to decide to what extent they should do things to demonstrate the beauty of God in their building. But I would argue that utilitarianism is not the path of spirituality. God created beauty for us to enjoy. We can’t sacrifice everything on the altar of beauty, but if the finished product is not beautiful, then we’ve failed to reflect his glory.

The church I pastor, the First Baptist Church in the City of New York, meets in a 120-year-old building on the corner of 79th and Broadway in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Facing the corner of this busy intersection, it boasts an imposing façade with powerful biblical (especially Christological) images in its architecture.

For years our congregation had the joy of sharing our space with Redeemer Presbyterian Church, who rented the building for two worship services each week. This month, however, has been noticeably quieter. Although we now enjoy a new renting relationship with All Souls Christian Church, pastored by TGC editor John Starke, Redeemer no longer meets in our building. Beginning March 5, for the first time in its history, Redeemer has its own place.

I recently walked through Redeemer’s new space, the W83 Ministry Center, located about five blocks from our building. Their structure is wedged into the middle of a block, across the street from a fire station and a post office, next door to a gym and a restaurant where you can get an organic grilled cheese sandwich.

The building is not what you might expect. It’s beautiful but not extravagant, spacious but limited, sufficient but not excessive. The fan-shaped, two-tiered auditorium is filled with beautiful, rounded, wood-constructed pews, offering a little less than a thousand seats. The silhouette of a two-story cross stands over the chancel. The upper three levels of the building include children’s space, classrooms, and a fellowship hall that seats a few hundred people. It’s a great space that I’m certain will serve their purposes well.

Behind a structure like theirs (or an old cathedral like ours) lies a philosophy for the project. Should churches build? If so, should our buildings be extravagant, like European cathedrals? Or should they be as minimal as possible, like a YMCA gym? How should churches think about buildings?

This is a very good question that congregations–especially church plants–need to think through. Here are four thoughts.
Read More