Wildesign Group Architects Inc.

Margaret Feinberg wrote an article recently for Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox called "Five best practices of reaching the next generation." While it's not immediately architecture-related, we're students of culture, so the title grabbed my attention. Here, briefly, are the five:

1. Look for opportunities to engage in culture. "Whether it's music, movies, or modern technology, there are countless ways to help young adults bridge the chasm between the ancient world and today." 
2. Allow room for the tough questions. "The next generation has tons of questions - many of them lacking instant or even easy answers."
   
3. Be yourself. "The most compelling stories you will ever share with those you minister to are ones where you admit your struggles, mistakes, and the tough lessons you've learned - in your faith, your family, and your personal life." 
4. Don't try to compete with the world. "Instead of responding to every whim of pop culture, create your own culture and remain true to the DNA of how God has built you and your community." 
5. Pray, pray, and pray some more. Amen.
   

These are very good ideas/reminders for ministering to an emerging, digital generation. Call me conditioned, but I can't help but see some obvious implications for your ministry facility, though:

1. Look for opportunities to engage in culture. It's really hard to do with without a sound booth, a projector room, and/or some equipped production space.
2. Allow room for the tough questions. The next generation has tons of questions, true, but part of the reason that there are no quick, easy answers is because we don't want quick, easy answers. We want to talk to, if not argue with, you about it. We want to work through it. You can't do that during a Sunday morning service. You need space for small groups or one-on-one mentoring. You need third place spaces.
3. Be yourself. Again, depending on the particular story you're sharing, this may be much more effective over coffee than from the pulpit.
4. Don't try to compete with the world. Your church cannot have its own culture if your congregation is not a community - at least not the kind of culture that's attractive to outsiders. This may be a comfortable lobby, a bookstore/library, a cafe, or a front porch area.
5. Pray. God knows how to reach young people, and He knows what's coming a decade from now that you need to build for.
   

Just one more reminder that your building can be - should be - your ministry's most efficient tool, and it's greatest asset.