High-Tech. High-Touch. Hi, Jesus!
The Future Of Ministry Design--In All Its 3-d Glory

By Jim Cochenour

A funny thing happened at work the other day. I glanced at my watch to see it was 10:30am. A little later, I looked again and saw that the time had not changed. Forgetting my earlier check, I thought, Wow! This is incredible! Now I can get some things done that I've been putting off! I rushed home and told my wife the exciting news. After checking my head for a fever, she broke it to me gently: time had not stopped. My watch battery just died.

Something similar happens in ministry at times. Instead of realizing the "battery" has died, we assume that time stands still. Bricks and mortar have their place in traditional building design, but innovation and community now drive it.

Four factors reign supreme as we think to the future of design: 1) the need to belong, 2) the desire for participation, 3) the interest in experience, and 4) the appetite for images. The following church project was borne of these components. It represents what might just be the future of ministry.

STOP 1: The Atrium

Entering this church is like walking into a lush, colorful botanical garden. Abundant flowering plants, herbs and trees surround a large, central waterfall. Natural illumination from skylights gently touches these earthy elements, offering visitors a sense of peace and balance.

Placed throughout the greenery, the center atrium is dotted with interactive touch-screen art galleries, computer terminal hookups and verses from the Psalms. A large, gas plasma screen to one side acts as the focal point for the "Higher Ground" coffee shop, which features comfortable tables and chairs. In this relaxed setting, worshippers meet friends, sip tea and coffee and "attend" church services and seminars.

The larger area of the atrium features computer kiosks, which provide newcomers with links to Christian websites, church information and archived reference materials. These kiosks also allow people to interact with the staff via e-mail, and hard copies of documents can be printed immediately at a central printer. The stewardship stations--designed for use by existing members--accept tithes and offerings via debit cards using instant fingerprint-access technology.

STOP 2: The Interactive Zone

Next to the atrium is the Interactive Zone. Here, visitors find three spherical pods that offer IMAX-like theater presentations of stories from the Old and New Testaments. In the center of each pod, the audience sees lifelike representations of elements from each story--a Roman cross, palm branches, a sling (like the one David used to slay Goliath) and much more.

STOP 3: Instructional Theaters

Leaving the Interactive Zone, visitors enter one of four instruction theaters, which vary in size. These theaters provide a variety of ministry opportunities. For worship, one can choose music ranging from a single acoustic guitarist to an alternative Christian rock band. Large screens at the front display additional musical offerings and teachings from the pastoral staff and other Christian specialists on a wide range of topics.

Each seat features infrared hookups, pop-up writing tables and small computers with access to the Internet and relevant searchable databases. Throughout the week, various seminars and teachings are held in these theaters, and participants can attend in person or online. All building functions are remotely controlled from beneath these rooms, including security, lighting, video recording, projection and post-production.

STOP 4: The Worship Center

The octagonal worship center at the other end of the facility contains eight large projection screens. Since multiple congregations will probably use the same space, each screen can be programmed to display images that support the preferences and traditions of specific congregations. (For instance, more liturgical services can show an image of stained glass whereas Gen-X services might feature pictures that are constantly moving and evolving.) The worship center's flexibility supports dramatic presentations, musical concerts and a 3-D hologram projector for lifelike dramatizations.

Each seat is equipped with modem and infrared connections for interaction between the congregation and the speaker. "Smart" lights are managed from the central control room to create the right ambience for presentations, and special spray systems create mist and fog. These theatrical touches augment teaching scenarios (when the glory of God filled the Temple or Noah on his Ark, for example). In outer "living rooms," worshippers confer with members of the staff. When someone enters one of these rooms, heat sensors alert control-room personnel, who then alert staff people via radio.

STOP 5: The Children's Zone

The Children's Zone is adjacent to the atrium. A large window separates the two areas, allowing parents to monitor their children's activities. Those who are unable to stay near the zone are given special video screen monitors so they can still see their children at any time.

This zone also includes recreational area that houses video games based on biblical characters and stories. Children who answer the quizzes correctly win extra tickets. A miniature golf course lets parents and children "putt" their way through Old Testament events, such as the parting of the Red Sea.

STOP 6: The Recreational Zone

The last major stop on our tour is the Recreational Zone. Here, customized flooring allows for flexible set-up. Video cameras broadcast all events to a website where disabled family members and others can participate from home. The Recreational Zone also seats overflow crowds, using large projection screens for concerts and other major gatherings.

STOP 7: The Contact Zone

Now we come to a small but important area: The Contact Zone. It contains individual rooms that surround a central media resource room. Each room is designed and decorated to replicate living rooms in homes, where small groups can meet in an intimate setting. Floor lamps, large windows, ambient colors and comfortable furnishings add warmth. Resources are readily available for study and discussion.

LAST STOP: Administrative Offices

Administrative space is laid out in office groupings of five or six rooms apiece. A central area serves each of these multi-offices, but much support comes from remote locations via telecommuting and free-lance services. Each staff member has a miniature view of the worship area and theaters, helping them to plan upcoming presentations.

This technological wonderland does not exist yet--but it might soon. Every major transition in history begins with a corresponding architectural paradigm shift. As we seek to design ministries to suit postmodern culture, we need buildings that offer effective, innovative connection points to people seeking spiritual fulfillment.

This postmodern prototype enables high-tech, high-touch ministry that is conducive to its overall goal: get people to come and say "hi" to Jesus.

Since 1983, Jim Couchenour has partnered with hundreds of churches to design and build new facilities through his work with Cogun Industries, Inc. Cochenour also serves as a volunteer worship leader at New Hope Community Church in Boardman, Ohio. Reach him by calling (800) 258-5540 or via e-mail at jrc@cogun.com.

STOP 1 Atrium	STOP 2 Interactive Zone
STOP 3 theater	STOP 4 Worship Center
STOP 5 Children's Zone	STOP 6 Recreation Zone
STOP 7 Contact Zone	LAST STOP Administration Offices