Choices

Choices are everywhere. Americans love choices. Someone once told me we are faced with between 5 to 10 thousand choices everyday. Some are obviously so benign we give them no thought whatsoever; we simply make a choice mindlessly and move on.

Other choices, however, are huge! They are monumental. They define us. Such monumental choices can determine the future by either unlocking or limiting future options.

Take the choice of whether to go to college after High School, for example. The experts (whoever they are), tell us that college grads make far more money over their lifetime than do only High School grads. Choosing to stop one's education at the High School level limits what jobs will be available in one's future. Of course, choosing to return to the educational environment opens up more options; thus, changing the course of one's future.

That's a simple thing to see. What's more difficult to recognize are subtle choices. Groups often make subtle choices without being aware they are doing so, or of their profound impact.

Take churches for example. When a group of Christians decide it's time to build a new facility, they often make the subtle choice of searching for traditional architects before they think through what's actually in their best interest. They assume the architect will look out for their best interest. After all, that's his job; it's what he's paid to do. He/She is an educated professional who has been trained to know what is best for churches, similar to how an Internist knows how to diagnose the physical needs of an ailing human body and prescribe a cure. Right? WRONG!

Far too many architects have been trained only in the art of drawing their visions. For the most part, they are creative people who want to use their skills, training and education in drawing a facility that utilizes meets a need while expressing their artistic capabilities. That may not translate into the best interest of a church.

Before a single dollar is spent on architectural services, a church should ask key questions such as: How many churches has the architectural firm in question done previously? How many churches of our persuasion has that firm designed? Does the firm do a complete church health analysis before they begin to conceptionalize a new facility?

Not all architects understand the unique nature of church buildings. Church buildings are peculiar animals. An architect can be a genius at designing residences, shopping centers or commercial office buildings and be a total flop with church facilities.

You can see how choosing such an architect would be disasterous for a church. It can also be extremely costly. For instance, mistakes in the design of a worship facility can cost the church for years to come as one measure after another is implemented in an attempt to "fix" an original design flaw that makes it extremely difficult for worshippers to hear the pastors message or respond to it.

Even the type of worship a church conducts in a facility will determine the design of a building, and it's not just the difference between contemporary or traditional worship styles. One pastor invites worshippers to come to the altar for personal ministry, while another only invites them to come for prayer, and still another does not give such an invitation at all. Some have massive choirs, other have choirs plus orchestras, while others have only a band. These are subtle differences of which many architects are completely unaware, and the building they design will reflect their lack of understanding of those subtleties.

When choosing someone to work with your church in designing a facility, be sure to work with a firm that understands the nuances of church facilities. Cosco and Associates have specialized in designing and constructing churches and christian schools since 1969. We've done over 1,000 projects across the United States. That gives us a vast base of experience from which your church will benefit. Choosing Cosco and Associates just makes sense!

For more information, check out our new website: www.churchdesign.com. Or, email me (DrRon@churchdesign.com) and I will get materials to you that will explain how we can take your church's dreams and turn them into reality.

Choices are critical for all of us; especially for churches. The architect your church is no smal matter. Such a choice will determine the future options of your ministry. It's that important!