But what that ancient facade may be saying to passersby is that your congregation is too old to have a great youth group. Likewise, your congregation may be meeting in a shopping mall to improve access to the community. But the location may suggest to some people that your congregation is too unconventional for their tastes. That's an important issue, according to Davis Byrd, director of church architecture for the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. A church's exterior can signal a congregation's denominational affiliation.
Buildings can send mixed messages.
For example, a church built like a stone fortress can suggest a place of security and shelter from the world. However, the rocklike front can also communicate that the church isn't very receptive to visitors, he says. In fast-growing metro areas, some churches meet in strip malls. The location is good, and the rent is reasonable. The meeting place suggests that the congregation consists of unpretentious people with limited means and a deep conviction to meet people where they are.