Many congregations are learning how to use their buildings as ministry tools. Whether you are designing creative worship spaces, preserving an historic building's structural integrity, or intending greater accessibility, you'll find solid advice on envisioning and implementing architectural changes.

BUILDING ISSUES : Architecture 

American Institute of Architects (AIA) (Organization)
The AIA provides public information on all phases of choosing and working with an architect, including guidelines, best practices and a series of articles on how to select and work with an architect. Includes downloadable materials and links.

Renewing Spaces: Designing Distinctive Churches (Article)
Michael J. Crosbie, Author.  David Heim, Editor.  Christian Century. Faithful Design 2005. Vol. 122, No. 23, pp. 20-24.
Crosbie describes eight different buildings and how their architecture relates to the mission of the congregations they represent: from renovation of an historical cathedral in Chicago to an environmentally attuned building in northern Nevada.

Sacred Spaces: Designing America's Churches (Article)
Gretchen T. Buggein, Author.  The Christian Century. June 2004. pp. 20-25. Chicago, IL: Christian Century Foundation.
The author explores different architectural styles of American churches, their historical purposes and expressions, influencing worship practice and secular factors that influence style, and the aesthetic goals of good church design.

You and Your Architect (Web Resource)
Washington, DC: American Institute of Architects (AIA)
This guide helps owners develop and maintain a professional relationship with an architect to insure a project's success. Basic information, prompting questions, and FAQs make this a thorough resource for anyone engaged in a building project.

Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship (Web Resource)
Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc., Committee on the Liturgy
This resource has universal appeal in its theological grounding and descriptions of different church spaces such as the altar, baptistery, etc., each one’s liturgical significance, and construction and adornment guidelines.

Church Architecture: A Resource Network (Web Resource)
Dixon Arts Guild, Inc.
People beginning to think about the architecture of sacred spaces will find interest and enjoyment in this site, as well as links to related information. Articles, examples, and a glossary are included.

Designing Future Worship Spaces: The Mystery of a Common Vision (Book)
Richard S. Vosko, Author.  Chicago, IL: Liturgy Training Publications, 1996.
Contemporary church design often forgoes art in favor of function. Bucking this trend, the author asserts that both contemporary needs and artistic beauty can, and should, co-exist in modern church architecture while serving liturgical requirements.

Firm Foundations: An Architect and a Pastor Guide Your Church Construction (Book)
Lance Moore, Author.  Lima, OH: CSS Publishing Company, 1999.
Detailing all aspects of a building project—from initial idea to final dedication service—Pastor Lance Moore and architect Daniel Michal offer a comprehensive guide to church construction projects.

When Not to Build: An Architect's Unconventional Wisdom for the Growing Church (Book)
Ray Bowman, Eddie Hall, Authors.  Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2000.
This book helps congregations decide if construction is the best solution to space constraints. Questionnaires, examples of churches who have and have not chosen building solutions but have experienced success are presented.

Worship Without Words: The Signs and Symbols of Our Faith (Book)
Patricia S. Klein, Author.  Paraclete Press, 2000.
Author Patricia Klein provides a guide to the symbols of church architecture and worship space, with in-depth explorations of the alter and the cross.