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Faith in the spaces How design welcomes children & families
Text by Dawn Rundman Photos by Rick Riddle A
rt from Bible stories adorns the walls of historical country churches in Sweden. A tour
guide gives their history and explains that the artwork does more than beautify the space—the pictures once reinforced the Bible stories for illiterate members. Worshipers who couldn’t read Scripture were reminded of them each time they sat in the sanctuary. T is emphasis on space—on
surroundings and design—can also be used to update our older church buildings and plan new ones in a way that welcomes children and families. If we only pay attention to how
ministry activities extend hospi- tality and support learning, we’re missing the chance to use physical space to do the same. Every church space conveys a theological point of view about our welcome and value of children—in planned and unplanned ways. Following are several observations and strategies to help congregations
create and improve child-friendly spaces. Here’s the good news: none of these takes a lot of money or big changes. But they do require using a diff erent lens to deliberately look at space and some creativity to make tweaks and adjustments.
Find (and fi x) invisible spaces Most of us stop noticing things in our home that need repair or an upgrade—a dripping faucet, a clock that needs new batteries or outdated towels that should be banished to the pet bed. When we become too familiar
with a space, we stop tuning into what a newcomer would notice. T e same can be true of church space designated for children—chewed board books on the library table or dingy changing tables in the nurs- ery. Oſt en the narthex off ers little indication that children are part of the community. When our church space becomes
so lived in that we stop noticing what might be a clear signal to a
visiting family, it’s time to make adjustments. Try this: Do a quick audit of any
potentially invisible spaces. Divide a piece of paper into four squares and write each of these words in each space: functions, features, fl aws, fi xes. T en watch on a Sunday (or
midweek) how the space is used. Record what you notice about how the space functions, the physical fea- tures you notice, evident fl aws and ideas for fi xing the space to better serve those using it.
Unlock the space’s meaning Church buildings are fi lled with fur- nishings, artwork and architecture that convey Bible stories, theological concepts and rich church traditions. But here’s the problem: these mean- ings are oſt en hidden from kids unless we show and tell about them multiple times. A pulpit’s carvings, the stained-
glass windows, the cruciform shape of the sanctuary—all are visual
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