Aspen Group Blog

One sign of a good study is the amount of discussion it generates.  From what I’m seeing, the research just published by our Cornerstone Knowledge Network seems to have hit a nerve.  Just Google “Unchurched Prefer Cathedrals” and see for yourself!  The blogosphere is buzzing with commentary and even the news media are picking up on it (http://video1.washingtontimes.com/beliefblog/). 

The responses are fascinating. Often the first one is shock followed by denial and frustration (so, are we supposed to build cathedrals now?). Then more careful pondering gets one thinking about things like inspiration, authenticity, and an acceptance that in fact, they really did respond this way. The survey was of the “unchurched”, not we the “churched”. And while it likely will not lead us to the conclusion that the answer is to design cathedrals—there is, after all, something suspect about grounding such a decision on an opinion survey—it must lead to us digging deeper to understand the message here.

Some of the comments I’ve picked up from the internal buzz here at Aspen follow:

* “Cutting edge stuff! I think this will be valuable information for us all to have as we partner with churches in navigating this peculiar culture.”

* “All doubt aside, I am excited to discuss where the unchurched hang out and why. For those of you that were at our last Search to Belong discussion this ties right into the Architecture of Belonging dialogue. I strongly believe churches need to be more intentional about creating nooks for personal and intimate conversations. I also believe we are uniquely positioned to educate leadership on this topic.”

* “I find it tremendously interesting that the space the unchurched prefer to meet with a friend stands in stark contrast to the church building design preferences they expressed. It makes me wonder if it isn’t the architecture they desire, but rather something of significant meaning. There is a permanence, reverence, and meaning to a cathedral’s design. It signifies something greater than ourselves. The fact that the unchurched are drawn to these qualities only highlights the fact that there is a God sized void created in each of us.”

* “What does Panera and a gothic cathedral have in common? From the research it’s obvious we love them both, yet they seem in stark contrast to one another. Or do they? The environment at Panera makes conversation and connection easy (as does soup in a bread bowl). But the physical structure is temporary – easy come, easy go. On the other hand, the cathedral is permanent – an icon that reminds me of a God that is larger than me. The Alpha and Omega. What incredible possibilities to merge the two together. Transcendent structure; cozy connection space.”

* “I think that these respondents were simply drawn to the inspirational shape and forms the traditional church represents, more so than the deeper “traditional” representation of the design. I wonder whether a modern design with “traditional” forms, or a more grandiose modern design with transcendence would not provoke the same response. I also feel like as a designer, we are set up for failure if we pay too much attention to the studies such as this that take a series of general pictures (the picture itself even plays into it) and allow for a general like or dislike.”

And on it goes…your thoughts?