Building the New Cathedrals

While the question of what, if any, buildings faith groups should build continues in a world of excess and self-focus, I though this article was interesting [credit: Dustin]. It speaks of a new church in Italy that uses a special coating that “eats” smog in some fashion. Now let’s be honest. It sounds like it was an accidental, fringe benefit, but it sparks the imagination.

What if people designing churches rethought their strategies? What if they set up a whole new criteria of what a good build was? Perhaps they might think about these things…

• What is the least wasteful way to build this building?
• What creative artist can we contact to design a shape that conveys God’s value on love, hospitality and community?
• What rehabilitation ministry for the poor, home for single mothers or immigrant services project could be incorporated on site to keep the body directly engaged in the community?
• What community center could be built that would open for just about anyone (in church or not) to hold an event?
• What design elements could be chosen to consistently reduce waste of power, water and perhaps even cut down on smog?
• What “would be nice” comforts should be sacrificed for the above so that it was clear the church was going out of its way for the sake of those who were different?

More than new stone buildings requiring tons of low-paying labor, I’d love to hear of more churches that feel led to build considering these elements as core aims.

How much cooler would this new cathedral movement be than the early ones we now wonder at if they were not only artful but incorporated both a love for God and a love for the outsiders and forgotten of their cities?