If you are considering building, one of the best ways to keep multiuse space from becoming multi-useless is to determine the unique calling God has for your church ministry and how that plays out in facilities. It’s very easy to jump to a particular design first and then try to fit existing ministries into it. However, there is a process called code, context, calling and create that truly allows form to follow function.

CODE simply asks the question, "How has God blessed us in unique ways?" There are certain strengths and gifts God has given to the people in your church. Discovering the DNA code written into the genes of your church will help determine what kind of ministry space to build.

For example, a church in the Southwest built a brand-new facility after spending many years in rented facilities. They had a very strong openness to creative people who didn’t have a background with church, and their new building had state-of-the-art audio and video systems to reflect the emphasis on the arts. They had also developed a "McGyver" attitude to their rented buildings, utilizing church members to patch and repair the inherent faults that come with used facilities. When they moved into their new facility, they suddenly had a shiny new building and deluxe A/V system. However, they didn’t realize how hard they would have to work at keeping the message that they were still there for those who were outsiders to church. To emphasize the point very strongly, the pastor literally dumped his entire cup of coffee on the platform one Sunday morning!

CONTEXT asks the question, "Who is around us?" God has placed your church in a particular area for a particular reason. The better you analyze and understand the surrounding area, the better you can design buildings to reach the people who are there. Demographic studies are available that actually measure a community’s interest in different architectural styles, as well as ministry needs (www.perceptgroup.com).

CALLING asks the question, "How are we going to do the ministry, based on our code and context?" Once you know how God has gifted your congregation and the makeup of your community, you can begin to define how to do ministry and what the "win" will look like. One church near Dayton, Ohio, decided to monitor the local crime statistics and let that be the scorecard to measure their influence in the surrounding area. For another church, their point of measurement was the number of grocery bags given out each week.

After you have worked through code, context and calling, then you can begin to CREATE your next phase of building.

At this stage, you identify which design elements are dictated by what you discovered earlier. Here, the multiuse facility may give you the most flexibility because it can morph over time as your ministries change.

The ’80s and ’90s brought a resurgence in the "big box" approach, where the emphasis was on maximum square footage and a neutral-looking facility. Most recently, emerging generations have brought back an interest in symbolism and traditional architectural details. Church designers today have an interesting task of making the connection between more ancient forms of architectural detail and keeping the building flexible enough to change with time.

In his book "How Buildings Learn," Stewart Brand develops the idea that throughout time, buildings learn to adapt to their different uses. He identifies the elements of a building that are relatively fixed, such as foundations and infrastructure, and the elements that are more flexible – walls, furniture, décor. A building’s ability to "learn" depends on how that building is designed.

To tie in the more traditional architectural details to open, flexible design, Brand suggests some designers may take the "high road." This combines an ornate, detailed approach to finishes, with a structural system that is open, allowing more easily for internal changes.

Any investment in church facilities necessitates careful and prayerful planning for a couple of reasons. First, the investment in facilities is typically the second-highest cost of any church budget (staff is highest). Second, a completed building immediately starts shaping your ministry the day it opens. Winston Churchill is credited with saying, "We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us." Multiuse facilities offer the most efficient way to keep your new building from shaping your ministry, allowing it to "learn" as your ministry methods change through the years.

Since 1983, Jim Couchenour has partnered with hundreds of churches to design and build new facilities through his work with Cogun Inc. He is vice president of marketing for Cogun, and plays in a jazz/fusion band. Couchenour is also discovering and developing ways to bridge the gap between church and the unchurched.