Start by asking yourself if your church building meets your space needs and emotional wants. For some churches the building is a minor and incidental part of their religious life. For others the building is a reflection and symbol of their attitudes. They regard the church, both as a congregation and as a building, as a major landmark in the community.

Do you like the building you occupy? Is it beautiful? Does it inspire? Some churches are much-loved homes for old congregations, others are warehouses for religious activities. Some churches feel that they are the recipients of two thousand years of Christian architectural tradition and that their building should respect that tradition. Other churches feel that centuries of tradition does not need to be the main focus in their growth and expansion.

In the 1950s and '60s there were a large number of "bowling alley" churches erected. These were intended to be economical, non-monumental homes for congregations. Many of these no longer reflect the congregation's attitudes. In the '70s and '80s many Catholic Churches made a point of not relating to the rich tradition of their church.

A church should recognize its attitude to the building. Is the building loved, tolerated, or disliked? Is the architect to tinker with and enhance the existing design, or make a radical change in the physical aspect of the church? These questions will help you decide to what extent things need to be changed or expanded to meet your space needs and emotional wants.