A Barna briefing produced in partnership with Aspen Group

Building a Generous Church

With church attendance wavering and digital worship options on the rise, some pastors are wondering, does the church building still matter? History (and data) tells us the church has always mattered.

Barna’s 2022 Making Space research, done in partnership with Aspen Group, reveals a common desire and expectation for the Christian church to be a place to experience peace, safety, community and care. Today, there are growing opportunities for church leaders to connect with current members and attract new congregants in fresh ways, starting with a more intentional approach to how church spaces are designed and used.

But it’s hard to discuss church design strategy without addressing budget and the generosity this requires. A church’s financial giving tangibly supports the development and upkeep of the building and its purposes. People also generally expect churches to look good (81% of U.S. adults agree with this), care for their community (88% agree), be accessible all week (85% agree) and reflect God’s beauty (83% agree). Investing in the use of church spaces in these ways requires generosity in its various forms.