This is an excerpt from Making Space for Church Visitors.

Church Visitors May Be Looking for Inner Peace

Beyond the physical aspects of the church, just over half of unchurched adults (53%) tell Barna they believe that church is “a sacred space” rather than “just a building” (30%). This group also points to nature (69%), memorial sites (50%), churches (48%) and cathedrals (46%) as being transcendent or “a place that brings a person closer to experiencing connection with something beyond the physical world.” U.S. adults, across all demographics, associate this transcendence with “a sense of peace or calm.”

Although they are aware of transcendent places, most U.S. adults fail to visit these types of spaces. For unchurched adults, this is even more true (just 14% of unchurched adults regularly visit places they would consider transcendent). For the unchurched, what could be missing because they tend to occupy less-than-transcendent environments? Perhaps it may contribute to a deficit of the very feeling they report makes a place transcendent: peace.

When people experience a lack of calm in daily living, its presence can signify something otherworldly. Here the Church is uniquely positioned to offer something the world cannot. As C.S. Lewis put it, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”

This peace is something potential church visitors—especially those who are spiritually open—may be seeking. Research from Spiritually Open hints at this: When Barna asked U.S. teens and adults to share what, specifically, they are looking for in their spiritual beliefs, the plurality chooses inner peace (37%), followed by hope (35%), healing and forgiveness (30% each).

Online Services Might Not Appeal to Visitors as Much as Gathering in Person

The uniqueness of a church space is not the only thing the unchurched appreciate. The overwhelming majority of unchurched adults (68%) tell Barna they value an emotional connection to a church building over aesthetics. Form and function seem to matter to unchurched adults insomuch as a space is comfortable and functions in a way that encourages emotional connection.

Unchurched adults also seem to value the church building as a physical place of spiritual development, especially when it comes to hybrid or online ministry. A Christian church is the top environment where unchurched adults say they would feel comfortable having a meaningful conversation with someone they trust about discipleship and spiritual faith; one in three selects this location above a home, park or other public places.

Even with the rise of digital / online worship offerings, just 15 percent of unchurched adults tell Barna they strongly agree they can experience God online (vs. 35% of churched adults). Furthermore, only 18 percent of unchurched adults strongly agree they can grow their religious faith online (vs. 32% of churched adults).

In some ways, this could be seen as a reinforcement of the value of the physical church building and in-person community as tools for outreach, even in a digital era.

Visitors May Expect a Church to Be in & for the Community

Unchurched adults give further insight into the importance of churches being accessible and serving a purpose outside of traditional gatherings: 39 percent strongly agree church buildings should be accessible all week. Over one in three unchurched adults (35%) also strongly agree church buildings should serve a purpose beyond worship services.

When describing the purpose of a church building, 28 percent of unchurched adults say providing community service, resources or shelter—8 points higher than churched adults. Likewise, a plurality of U.S. adults (49%) and just over two in five of the unchurched (42%) strongly agree the church has a responsibility to care for their community.

A 2016 study by the University of Pennsylvania and Partners for Sacred Places found many churches are already doing just that. Among 90 congregations studied in Philadelphia, Chicago and Fort Worth, 89 percent of visits to these churches were not for worship purposes, but rather for accessing resources, participating in an event or to attend a daycare or school. The study also found that “87 percent of the beneficiaries of the community programs and events housed in sacred places are not members of the religious congregation.”

Likewise, another study of a subset of rural churches in North Carolina found that “72 percent of those benefiting from programs [in the selected area] are not members of the congregations.”

Churches around the country serve their communities—and welcome visitors—in various ways beyond weekly worship: as locations for outreach and support meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous; by serving as polling places for elections; providing much-needed childcare space; and hosting food pantries, clothing closets and other social service programs. To most people, the data shows it’s remarkably important for the church to be used this way.

Part of the Church’s mission is to be a physical manifestation of God’s love for his creation in the world. This means being an open door—both literal and figurative—where visitors can come and receive support, peace and, ultimately, the message of Christ.

Dr. John M. Perkins writes in Beyond Charity, “The church lives out its call most fully when it is a community of faith with its arms wrapped about a community of pain.” The physical space the church inhabits is an important tool in this work of caring for the community—and unchurched adults appear to agree. In fact, unchurched adults believe equally that the church belongs to people who regularly attend (33%) just as much as it belongs to anyone who enters it (33%).

Reflect

- Think about thresholds. What is the “front porch” or curb appeal of your church like? Is it inviting and accessible? Create outdoor spaces where people can begin to interact with your church property, even if they’re not ready to walk through your church doors. If there are sidewalks or walkways, create access paths from these areas that lead to a patio, garden or the church building entrance.

- Think about peaceful places. This research reveals the significant connection people make between nature and feelings of transcendence, peace and calm, whether they’re Christian or not. Imagine a canopy of trees or a cathedral. How might you mimic these designs in or on your property? Some ideas include stringing lights high above a patio to draw the eye up or hanging fabric banners that catch the wind over people’s heads. You could also plant trees and build benches for a prayer grove that would grow and be used for generations.

- Think about hospitality. There are many creative ways to be hospitable in your church. Think beyond the church café or lobby and consider ways to bring elements of hospitality closer to the curb. For example, hire a food truck on Saturday nights to get visitors to your parking lot and engage with others in the community. Be clear with advertising and signage, letting people know all are welcome and where to go, as well as who you are and what you do.