Our family are missionaries and we are currently on home ministry assignment in US, where we visit from church to church. We pulled up to Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, we got out of the car and walked up to the building and my 11 year old looked up and gasped. He stood in awe of the large and beautiful building, and remarked that we needed to get a picture so he can draw it. I agree with you that architecture communicates what we use the building for, whether to worship the holy God of the universe or, on the other hand, to attend a rock concert with a motivational message to help us be our best selves. I do think church history has a lot of help for us in terms of how we apply Scripture in setting up the worship service and our architecture.
What a great story! The fact that an 11 year old was so impacted the splendor of the church building itself tells the story, doesn't it? I agree with you about church history being a great teacher for us on this topic.
Really appreciate your reflections. I’m curious what your thoughts are on a recent article I wrote on my substack about church and the recovery community. I believe when we can bring back some of the beautiful-vulnerable, our spaces (both in the material sense and on the soul level) will be transformed.
Caroline, I will read your piece and give you my thoughts. The word "vulnerable" you use I believe is key to reinvigorating the idea of true church. Vulnerability is nearly impossible in the way the modern evengelical church is set up.
Thought provoking viewpoint from the perspective of beauty! Been reading through your book actually right now (about 3/4 through) and really enjoying your philosophy!
My family has been part of a home fellowship since 2020ish, and I love the intimacy, and the openness for everyone to share. I've definitely seen the most growth in my spiritual life from this experience. Also more boldness and participation outside of Sunday, whether sharing the Gospel or using my gifts for God. It invites participation and personal responsibility, rather than putting all the responsibility on a pastor figure.
I'm intrigued by your perspective of beauty though in the church itself. As a nature-lover, I'm all in for more windows lol. ;) Part of me thinks of the OT tabernacle (more practical, but certainly with colors and themes that the Lord wanted), then the temple (which was man's idea, but which reflected the beauty and glory of God), the temple He Himself dreams of in Zechariah, and the new Jerusalem described someday and its beauty. There's certainly biblical evidence for all that.
But then from a church perspective in the NT, they didn't seem to bother with beautiful spaces per se. The churches often met in people's homes. They kept it simple. It was their fellowship and sacrifice that gave beauty. So then is it necessary to pour finances into a church building for its beautification? Just a young adult thinking out loud. Hearing both sides, still chewing on my thoughts from it. Curious to hear more/ your thoughts!
Love these thoughts, Sierra. I'm so glad your chewing on the book! I hope you enjoy it.
I like your thoughts on the OT tabernacle. It was actually modeled on the created cosmos, with the holy of holies open to the sky and it's wonders. I agree with you on your assessment of the early Christians. I believe it was simple until it grew over time and the larger cities need to accomodate the growing numbers. There's a lot in these thoughts for sure. Keep chewing on them. I've received a lot of texts and DMs about this episode, so next week I'm going to continue the conversation. Stay tuned! :)
Our church is round with the altar in the center, windows around the perimeter and a skylight above. As Lutherans we believe that God comes to us in worship, that he serves and we receive. The intimacy of our sanctuary I believe bonds us more as a family of believers. There is no band or worship leader and our choir sings from the pews, not entertainment but only enhancing the word. Our service is vastly different from the world, holy and set apart. Our hymns are ancient and beautiful (to me anyway). We have lots of open commentary at our adult Bible class-not sure how that would work in our worship setting.
I love the beautiful cathedrals of Europe; it would be lovely to see more churches with aesthetically pleasing architecture. Thanks for this!
Thanks for sharing this, Allison! It warms my heart to hear how reverent your service is. I pray that that kind of thoughtful worship spills into the Evangelical churches.
Finally found time to listen to what I KNEW would be an excellent and potent message. I desperately wish people would ask the questions you’ve posed, and deeply consider even the history of how architecture shapes a society! (You mentioned utilitarian, and also, communism! They have never ever produced anything of beauty- it is dreary ugliness. Tucker Carlson has spoken of this in relation to the big box stores, and how their very build says “you’re a consumer and we think nothing of you except to use you”, and here America has gone and done the same with churches!)
We are blessed to have a found a theologically rich Anglican Church with pastors who understand the necessity of beauty. The building and the exquisite music actually trigger a physical reaction of both wonder and also calm. Quiet reverence. My own kids value this and when they’ve attended a box church with friends for an event, they always recoil and have THOUGHTS! 😂 (Especially when “merch” like Apple Watches were being tossed out- are they buying kids’ affections… for Jesus…?? What in the world. 😣)
Of course my heart rejoiced that they could decisively see and identify the contrasts. Here is to MORE beauty for a world desperate for it!
Our family are missionaries and we are currently on home ministry assignment in US, where we visit from church to church. We pulled up to Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, we got out of the car and walked up to the building and my 11 year old looked up and gasped. He stood in awe of the large and beautiful building, and remarked that we needed to get a picture so he can draw it. I agree with you that architecture communicates what we use the building for, whether to worship the holy God of the universe or, on the other hand, to attend a rock concert with a motivational message to help us be our best selves. I do think church history has a lot of help for us in terms of how we apply Scripture in setting up the worship service and our architecture.
What a great story! The fact that an 11 year old was so impacted the splendor of the church building itself tells the story, doesn't it? I agree with you about church history being a great teacher for us on this topic.
Really appreciate your reflections. I’m curious what your thoughts are on a recent article I wrote on my substack about church and the recovery community. I believe when we can bring back some of the beautiful-vulnerable, our spaces (both in the material sense and on the soul level) will be transformed.
Caroline, I will read your piece and give you my thoughts. The word "vulnerable" you use I believe is key to reinvigorating the idea of true church. Vulnerability is nearly impossible in the way the modern evengelical church is set up.
Thought provoking viewpoint from the perspective of beauty! Been reading through your book actually right now (about 3/4 through) and really enjoying your philosophy!
My family has been part of a home fellowship since 2020ish, and I love the intimacy, and the openness for everyone to share. I've definitely seen the most growth in my spiritual life from this experience. Also more boldness and participation outside of Sunday, whether sharing the Gospel or using my gifts for God. It invites participation and personal responsibility, rather than putting all the responsibility on a pastor figure.
I'm intrigued by your perspective of beauty though in the church itself. As a nature-lover, I'm all in for more windows lol. ;) Part of me thinks of the OT tabernacle (more practical, but certainly with colors and themes that the Lord wanted), then the temple (which was man's idea, but which reflected the beauty and glory of God), the temple He Himself dreams of in Zechariah, and the new Jerusalem described someday and its beauty. There's certainly biblical evidence for all that.
But then from a church perspective in the NT, they didn't seem to bother with beautiful spaces per se. The churches often met in people's homes. They kept it simple. It was their fellowship and sacrifice that gave beauty. So then is it necessary to pour finances into a church building for its beautification? Just a young adult thinking out loud. Hearing both sides, still chewing on my thoughts from it. Curious to hear more/ your thoughts!
Love these thoughts, Sierra. I'm so glad your chewing on the book! I hope you enjoy it.
I like your thoughts on the OT tabernacle. It was actually modeled on the created cosmos, with the holy of holies open to the sky and it's wonders. I agree with you on your assessment of the early Christians. I believe it was simple until it grew over time and the larger cities need to accomodate the growing numbers. There's a lot in these thoughts for sure. Keep chewing on them. I've received a lot of texts and DMs about this episode, so next week I'm going to continue the conversation. Stay tuned! :)
Our church is round with the altar in the center, windows around the perimeter and a skylight above. As Lutherans we believe that God comes to us in worship, that he serves and we receive. The intimacy of our sanctuary I believe bonds us more as a family of believers. There is no band or worship leader and our choir sings from the pews, not entertainment but only enhancing the word. Our service is vastly different from the world, holy and set apart. Our hymns are ancient and beautiful (to me anyway). We have lots of open commentary at our adult Bible class-not sure how that would work in our worship setting.
I love the beautiful cathedrals of Europe; it would be lovely to see more churches with aesthetically pleasing architecture. Thanks for this!
Thanks for sharing this, Allison! It warms my heart to hear how reverent your service is. I pray that that kind of thoughtful worship spills into the Evangelical churches.
Finally found time to listen to what I KNEW would be an excellent and potent message. I desperately wish people would ask the questions you’ve posed, and deeply consider even the history of how architecture shapes a society! (You mentioned utilitarian, and also, communism! They have never ever produced anything of beauty- it is dreary ugliness. Tucker Carlson has spoken of this in relation to the big box stores, and how their very build says “you’re a consumer and we think nothing of you except to use you”, and here America has gone and done the same with churches!)
We are blessed to have a found a theologically rich Anglican Church with pastors who understand the necessity of beauty. The building and the exquisite music actually trigger a physical reaction of both wonder and also calm. Quiet reverence. My own kids value this and when they’ve attended a box church with friends for an event, they always recoil and have THOUGHTS! 😂 (Especially when “merch” like Apple Watches were being tossed out- are they buying kids’ affections… for Jesus…?? What in the world. 😣)
Of course my heart rejoiced that they could decisively see and identify the contrasts. Here is to MORE beauty for a world desperate for it!