"Building to Glory," W. Jerry Murray (Tate Publishing&Enterprises, 2008)

What should a church building look like? From the archetypical cathedral or white clapboard chapel with steeple, to the modern mega church complete with coffee shop and playground, most Americans have an image in mind when the word "church" is used. Former missionary architect W. Jerry Murray explores the theology and culture behind church architecture in his book, "Building to Glory: Creating Sacred Space in a Secular World."

Murray's opinion of modern "sanctanasiums" as he labels church buildings that function as a gym and an auditorium, is unmistakably negative. However, beyond this his opinion of the ideal church architecture is difficult to decipher.

His experience designing churches in communities in the developing world as well as his work now as an architect and church consultant in America guide his book. But he provides little practical help for churches in the season to build. Instead the book offers a philosophical questions to church leaders about their buildings. Discussion questions at the end of sections offer "Points to Ponder," such as:

"Is God's house a place of quality created by the hands of fine craftsmen and personal sacrifice or simply the result of the lowest bidder and available labor?"

Murray's point is worth noting. The philosophy of a church may be most obvious in its edifice.

"We must try to understand the reasons why we perceive church the way we do and then to either accept those paradigms or break them," Murray writes.

This acceptance or rejection is not given to the reader by Murray. In fact, most of his questions are left up to debate. They are conversations worth having, however.

The author's walk through the history of church architecture is simplistic, but interesting. It serves as another point to Murray's argument that church leaders should consider culture and history as such and not dogmatic forces for shaping a church building.

Specifically, Murray points out that the early Christian church adopted the forms of the Roman architecture that was all around them in their culture.

Murray also notes the way architectural technology has driven church forms. And he brings up the importance of understanding the purpose of the building, citing examples of churches whose structures are used for political arenas or theatrical venues. He calls leaders to question the multi-use philosophy and how it changes the purpose of the church, and sometimes makes the space for worship an add-on to other more prominent areas. One of his points to ponder on this issue is: "How does the use of your church facility by secular functions bring glory to God?"

Overall, Murray's bias toward buildings that show reverence to God marks him as a traditionalist. But his point that making sacred things more secular dilutes the spiritual aspect of a church is worth noting, especially for churches now looking to build and continuing to look for the lost.