I’m always impressed how much retail space exploits psychological advantage to prepare people to spend money. I can run into a corner store and quickly grab the 5 items I need. But the same 5 items in our local grocery store? It’s at least 15 minutes as I walk from end to end of that building.
In business, I can think of times I’ve visited offices and noticed that they take advantage of these same things. When I worked at BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, you better believe they designed their entry way to their psychological advantage. A massive, all glass entry with 50 foot ceilings. The entire first floor of the building was open concept so you could see elevators zipping people to various floors, massive escalators with a constant stream of employees looking very busy, and a massive… MASSIVE security desk separating that world from you. (Probably 75 feet long) Every time I hosted a guest for a meeting, when they finally made it to my floor they were completely intimidated.
I guess I wonder why churches don’t do this? (Some do it quite intentionally.) But most churches don’t have a consistent entry point communicating a certain vibe. Even the most “seeker sensitive” space is always a little daunting and intimidating.
I wonder if there’s more we can do? I wonder if, when we host people for 1-1 meetings or the day-to-day business of the church, if we’re even aware of the psychological advantages we have just because we know where to go?
Question: Is your church thinking about this? If so, what are you doing to help prepare people for worship, gathering, or meeting you by the design of your space?
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