By RaeAnn Slaybaugh Senior Pastor Mark Allen’s path to starting a church in Athens, Texas, began in 2005 — though it certainly wasn’t his plan. “Athens doesn’t need another church,” he laughs. “It’s an exaggeration, but I’ve heard people say there are about 12,000 people who live here and, like, 1,500 churches.” But, God had […]
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By Rev. Vincent Howell Projects are a part of the work of ministry in any local congregation. They range from updating the parsonage when a new pastor is assigned to developing a new ministry to grow youth programs, hosting a holiday meal for the community and planning programs during the Advent season. Yet, many times, […]
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By RaeAnn Slaybaugh Ryan Binkley had a God-given dream — several, in fact — about a church where people can “find and fulfill their created purpose in Christ.” This would be a place where those without a church home, can not only discover one, but come into the understanding of their destiny in Christ. His […]
Read More >In part 2 of this roundtable series, a brand-new set of design professionals and ministry leaders discussed thoughtfully designed church spaces for everyone — members, guests, visitors, children, youth, seniors, and communities-at-large. They even tackle engaging design strategies for multi-site churches. When we use the term “engaging design,” when should that experience start — and […]
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A unified approach to church building & capital stewardship just makes sense We’ve all heard of church building projects that go like this: hire an architect and design a building. Find out the building you want is more than your church can afford. Hire a capital stewardship consultant to raise the difference. Find out the […]
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No small feat! By Paul Mergenhagen #1: Your children’s spaces speak before you say a word. An effective children’s environment demonstrates that you’ve invested in families. It tells parents that you’ve planned on their children being there. This is especially true for guests and first-time visitors. Is your children’s space inviting? Welcoming? Or is it sterile […]
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Audio, Video, Lighting, Acoustics (AVLA) • Way Finding & Digital Signage • Security & Surveillance From a professional perspective, when you think about the audio, video and / or lighting elements or technologies that are most engaging in churches right now, what springs to mind? Doug Hood: Any leader who stands on a church stage […]
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By RaeAnn Slaybaugh For Tulsa’s Memorial Drive Church of Christ, connecting as a church family was never a problem — but the facilities told a less inspiring story. Built in 1963, this mid-century modern church features a tent-like parabolic roof, with additions in 1973 and 1977. While the church design surely had its admirers from […]
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When a tornado destroyed their church, the father-daughter pastor team of Phil and Sarah Taylor enlisted a pastor’s son and second-generation church builder to help pick up the pieces. By RaeAnn Slaybaugh When a devastating tornado touched ground in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1999, Phil Taylor, his wife Paula, and their daughter Rebekah were […]
Read More >An exclusive roundtable produced in conjunction with the National Association of Church Design Builders. Roundtable participants are members of this non-profit organization that serves as a resource for the planning, design and construction of churches and church-related facilities. The goal of NACDB is to educate local churches on how to go about designing, building or […]
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