Once upon a time, from the UUA on down, \u201cHeadquarters\u201d\u009d buildings were statements of power: \u201cLook! We are important! \u201d\u02dcNotice us!\u2019\u201d\u009d But just as cathedrals don\u2019t tower in an age of skyscrapers, so impressive-looking headquarters no longer draw notice. And \u201csecularization\u201d\u009d is only part of the reason for this change.<\/p>\n
When we look at secular analogues, we see that newspaper and other publishing empires are down-sizing for many reasons, including digitalization and the demands and opportunities that come with the internet. Today denominational and agency business is largely transacted in ways that permit employees to work from home, committees to meet by Skype, Conference Call, and other digital means. Many in the \u201csecular\u201d\u009d public make up their minds about the power and value of religious works and workings not based on images of huge Interchurch Centers or denominational Power Houses, but based on what they do….<\/p>\n
Planners in religious agencies may regret turning the key to close the Big House doors for the last time, but wise planners are using their skills and energies to advance their work through non-elite, less-strategically-located bases of operation.<\/p>\n