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Writer's pictureSteve Baker PhD AIA

Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Designing for the Future of Worship

If you take time to look through the various churches from the start to today, you’ll notice two things. First, there have been some major changes in terms of features, and that’s something that everything goes through in the world, and second, many of the core concepts haven’t changed much at all. 


Change is necessary, but how much is too much, and how do you find balance in innovative church design


We’ll use the Catholic church as our guideline for this article due to its rich history dating back to the start of Christianity and its dedication to tradition, but many of the concepts are true for various denominations.


Understanding the Importance of Tradition in the Church


When it comes to the design philosophy of a church, tradition is much more than just carrying on something that someone else did in remembrance. Things become traditions for religious reasons and to create a church that functions as a worldly representation of heaven.


As such, it’s very hard to look at a traditional aspect of a church and warrant changing it. In many ways, it can seem to detract from the overall goal of the church rather than be an enhancement. 


For example, adding air conditioning systems to residential homes toward the end of the 20th century was no big deal. No one thought it had negative repercussions even though there were long-standing standards for homes. 


However, deciding to take the nave out of the center of the church and position it in a basement could be seen as a major lack of judgment in a church setting.


That’s where the church gathers for mass and shares in worship. It’s the center of a Catholic church for a reason, and it’s considered the main room of the church. 


That was a big example, but over time, every small detail of the church has been subjected to a tradition of some sort. That also means that every detail must be considered when trying something new. There are no minor bits that can be disregarded at will.


The Importance of Innovating Church Design


Innovating on the traditional features of a church is also crucial. 


While traditions are deeply rooted in religious ceremony and holiness, as time passes, things are invented that further the church’s goals of teaching scripture, bringing people closer to God, and building a church structure that is worthy of housing the Church Body, or the people who gather to worship. 

A family worshiping god in a church with innovative design.

Without any innovation, the church would remain stagnant in those goals. Also, considering how the world has changed, and public structures have to abide by various ordinances, it might even be required that a bit of innovation take place.


Consider that electricity, climate control, and similar features were considered innovations at one point in history, and they’re required today. 


How to Balance Innovation and Tradition in Church Design


Innovative church design is clearly acceptable in the eyes of the church. It has had to innovate several times throughout history. In fact, it’s even encouraged to an extent. 


The main consideration is balancing innovation in a way that is acceptable. So, what factors should you consider before you look to implement a change? 


Let’s dive a bit deeper. 


1: Does the Innovation Bring Glory to God


Every single facet of a church should bring glory to God. That’s the entire purpose of a church is to build a flock and guide them through worship to bring more followers to Christ. 


If innovation is something that damages that, whether it be the church’s credibility or its ability to perform its role effectively, it’s too much. 


However, if it can be used to improve the church in a way that enhances worship, it’s likely a good idea


Think of the innovation of adding a sound system. It’s not traditional, but it allows the flock to hear every word crisply and get more out of each sermon without getting in the way of the church’s traditional features. So, that would be balanced. 


2: Does the Innovation Make the Church More Functional? 


Kitchens weren’t always in churches, but they’re staples, now. They allow for various church activities that otherwise wouldn’t be possible, and those activities engage the community, earn revenue that supports the church, and more. 


In the same way, you couldn’t replace a core church feature with a kitchen. That would detract from the church’s main function. 


As such, a balanced approach would be exactly what the church has done for decades. Kitchen areas are built out of the way and don’t interfere with church functions at all. 


That’s a balanced way to implement an innovative feature that doesn’t interfere, but it adds functionality. 


The innovation doesn’t just have to not interfere. It also needs to serve a real purpose. The kitchen example is proven, but you wouldn’t add something ridiculous like a gaming room. It doesn’t add function to the church. 


3: Does the Innovation Preserve Other Features? 


We’ve touched on this, but any church architects worth their salt would tell you that innovation shouldn’t ruin other traditions

Innovative design in church interior.

For example, you might decide that it will be helpful to install a projection screen to help illustrate sermons or highlight key concepts.


But placing that innovative, non-traditional feature in a manner that distracts the flock from what’s being taught, or taking up more space than it should and limiting how many people can join for worship, might not be a great idea. 


You have to consider the impact that an innovation will have on core concepts. 


4: Is the Innovation Necessary? 


This can be a difficult topic to cover because technically, churches operated just fine without running water, electricity, or any of the modern innovations churches have today. However, when we say “necessary” we mean that you should discern whether the innovation is worth the trouble and actually going to enhance the church experience. 


Something like adding electricity would be very necessary and worthwhile, but you might want to rethink a new feature such as free WiFi when no one should be using their phones, anyway. 


Innovate Your Church While Honoring Tradition


If you want to innovate the way your church operates, but you respect the traditions of the church and the spirituality imbued in them, Baker Architects can help. 


From core structural design help to modeling the finest details of your molding, we can help you with innovative church design that’ll achieve the look and function of your church while honoring tradition.


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