Does sitting in a church building evoke a sense of transcendence or offer moments of calm in an often-chaotic world? How might our physical experiences of a church relate to our worship and understanding of God?
As many pastors struggle with how best to retain members and grow them spiritually post-pandemic, new research from Making Space for Inspiration—the first journal in a three-part series created in partnership with Aspen Group exploring why church design matters in ministry—suggests opportunities for leaders to connect with current and new congregants, starting with a more intentional approach to the places they meet.
Just 3 in 10 U.S. Adults Regularly Visit Spiritual or Transcendent SpacesOne of the goals with this study was to assess respondents’ feelings surrounding space, starting first with one’s perception of transcendence or connection to a higher power. This was especially important to consider in the wake of pandemic-era disruptions that have left many churches wondering about ideal environments for worship services.
In the report, a transcendent space is defined as “a physical place that brings you closer to experiencing connection with something beyond the physical world.” More than half of U.S. adults (55%) say they do not regularly visit a space they consider transcendent. Self-identified Christians are only slightly more likely to say they frequently visit transcendent spaces: 37 percent claim they do so on a regular basis.
What makes a space transcendent? A sense of peace or calm (51%) tops the list for most Americans. Interestingly, no segment—including practicing Christians, who by Barna’s definition attend church regularly and say their faith is important to them—exceeds 50 percent in saying “an awareness of a greater power” makes a place transcendent.
