Passersby and visitors receive first impressions of churches much faster than most church leaders realize, according to building experts.
Although many issues work together to determine these conclusions, they usually begin with the church’s curb appeal or appearance, professionals say.
Gary Swafford, director of church planting and building services for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, defines curb appeal as the visual image in the mind of a stranger as he passes by or visits a church facility.
“People who are members of the church seldom think of curb appeal as nonmembers do,” he stated. “They see it from a different perspective. A member does not think so much of how it looks on the outside. They think of what’s going on inside. Whereas, the nonmember’s opinion of the church is formed by the image created by the landscaping and design of the facility from the outside.”
Because of these tendencies, building experts advise church leaders to take great care in making sure the message presented on the outside of the church is as welcoming and appealing as the one delivered inside.
Gary Nicholson, consultant in LifeWay Christian Resources church architecture department, usually tells church leaders that decisions about churches are made before anyone ever walks into the building.
“Today’s world is an instant world and people make decisions quickly,” he said. “I’ve heard it said that people decide whether they like a church or not within the first seven minutes.”
David Payne, president of Payne and Associates Architects in Montgomery, concurred. “The landscaping is what draws us into the facility and makes us want to stop,” he stated.
“Cool inviting pleasant atmospheres are created by plants, trees and beautiful lawns. They literally make the building cooler temperature-wise and soften a building. There is something good about seeing the beauty of God’s handiwork.”
Payne added that churches with a commitment to landscaping usually have a high percentage of giving to missions. “Well maintained buildings and grounds send a signal of conscientiousness and generosity,” he said.
Curtis Faulk, a partner with J.K. Terry and Company, also explained the importance of good curb appeal in attracting new members.
“Before they [visitors] meet a church member or the pastor, hear a sermon or hear the music, they see the landscape,” he said. “If what they’ve got is neat and well-maintained, it can make a good impression.”
Two factors that heavily contribute to curb appeal are the building exterior and church signs, according to Swafford. He advises church leaders to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s specifications and maintenance recommendations for products and materials used on church exteriors.
“We need to be vigilant in seeing whether the paint should be done every three or five years or more regularly as needed,” he said. “We should also clean siding and windows as needed. Specialized cleaning solutions are available to help clean hard-to-get-to places.”
With signs, Swafford said a bad sign is worse than no sign at all.
“Rusty, neglected or faded signs reflect a negative image to the general public,” he said.
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