Leadership Network's Dave Travis shares church trends and observations.

Using space to tell the greatest story.

How to create superb ministry space for less.

How do you handle competing values in your church?

Keys to combatting a culture of fear.

Moving from me to we.

Measuring the benefits of environmental design for churches

Church facilities are much like ships in the sea. They’re human-designed vessels severely and continually challenged by the natural turbulence of their Creator-designed environment. Of course, the original purpose of ships or church facilities hasn’t changed. But the relationship between them and their seas must change if they are to operate, or even survive, in the waters of their calling.

No one has redefined the way technology is used like Steve Jobs. He put the word “personal” in the personal computer. His subsequent breakthroughs with music players and phones have shown his uncanny ability to understand the market and create products that, in some cases, people didn’t even know they needed. So, if Steve Jobs were to design your next church building, I think he would offer three guiding principles.

Thinking about the digital age like a Reformer. New article by CKN friend, Rex Miller, featured in Your Church.

We’ve all seen those late night commercials that inform us that for the price of a cup of coffee per day we could do something significant to change the world. I agree with these people that it only takes a small amount to make a big difference, but I don’t think you have to give up coffee to change the world. In fact, I believe we can use the wonderful experience of drinking coffee and having great conversations to change the world. So why not have your coffee and drink it too?

People who don’t go to church may be turned off by a recent trend toward more utilitarian church buildings. By a nearly 2-to-1 ratio over any other option, unchurched Americans prefer churches that look more like a medieval cathedral than what most think of as a more contemporary church building.

What every church should know about filtering their coffee plans.

An expert's guide through the church building process

When church growth begins to slow, a church needs to reevaluate their purpose and provide a fresh vision to impact their local community. Pastors and leaders can wrestle with their passions and their congregation’s giftedness, but often understanding the need of the community around them can be difficult. Considering these six trends in culture can help frame the discussion.

A 24-hour conversation with leading pastors and thinkers

Small group ministries designed to foster intimate connections can overlook an individual’s need to interact in three other spaces – public, social, and personal. Learn how creative ministry spaces can engage members in deeper connections in all four spaces.

America differs from civilizations of the past that encouraged informal social settings, or “Third Places,” for citizens to connect. Most Americans are fragmented between home, work, the grocery store, and even church. Discover how churches can reach out to their neighbors with an effective solution.

A look at what a church building of the future might be like. High tech, high touch, hi Jesus.

Too many churches develop a “building plan”, without looking at who they are and what they’re all about.

Building projects can catapult churches to new levels of growth and momentum. Projects can also spin out of control, leading to squandered resources and damaged reputation, especially if the Lords hand is not in it.

Like genetic DNA, every organization has a unique code. This is the unspoken culture that determines ministry, building, and membership. Churches that carefully consider their code unlock a powerful tool to refocus and engage their community.

Conflict is usually driven by the need for change. Conflict is a healthy reminder that we need to adapt. Find out how to deal with it in a productive way.

In an effort to achieve what are, at heart, charitable ends, the government is turning to the original (and effective) charitable organization: the church.

The money is pledged, the contracts signed, the site work begun. Now is the time to take a deep breath and…do more planning!?! It is easy to focus on the building program and forget about preparing your staff for the upcoming responsibilities associated with a larger facility with more members. Bruce Anderson offers practical advice to energize workers for the next step.

There are a lot of questions that must be answered before you build. Unfortunately, if they are not asked, a church may start down that road of daring to dream, buying into a spectacular vision, then falling grievously short.

"But we need space for our ministry. Let's just go build a building" is the well intended but misguided mantra of far too many pastors and ministry leaders.

Church leaders have an incredible opportunity to go “high def” (HD) in their church designs because ministry space now operates on two dimensions: the physical and the virtual.

It is vitally important to choose the right site for your building.

The best building projects are practical, realistic.

Successful Senior Care Facilities Require a Head for Business and a Heart for Ministry

The building is just a tool for ministry while we have our “human experience”. Use these “Not-So-Common Events” to develop the best tools to maximize your ministry efforts – and celebrate what’s really important!

If the building team isn’t right, it is unlikely the church will end up with what they need to facilitate their ministries.

Learn about 8 clear signs that deserve attention. These are positive indicators that a capital campaign could improve and enhance the ministry and mission of your church.

Learn how to make a wise choice when interviewing Stewardship companies.

Balancing how much you can afford with what the Lord is leading you to do.

How to help ensure your facility investment reaps a good return.

Learn about the pros and cons of leasing your church facility.

How full-use facilities have changed the nature of church construction.

Alternative ways to reach people without building a bigger facility.

How to broaden your reach by narrowing your focus.

Designing for maximum flexibility.

Suggestions that will allow your building to adapt most readily to changing ministry methods and models.

To Keep Emerging Generations (and Their Children) Coming Back, Midwestern Churches Think Outside the Box

Ideas for making events memorable.

A philosophy of ministry space design for the 21st century.

How to keep your church on the right track during the construction process.

Let's take a look at the four elements of a developing a long-term church master plan.

This CKN white paper is based on interviews we did with the nation's top stewardship companies in March 2005.