It is the reaction of the lay committee that meets with me that may be the most telling. Invariably, there is a pride in the stained glass, a pride that is not found in any other portion of the building. As we pass from one window to the next, the layperson often talks about the symbolism or scene. Each one has its own story, and each one has spoken over the years to different congregants in different ways.

Important Trends
Two trends are taking place in new church construction today that some say will lead to the demise of stained glass. 
 
First, because of such a strong emphasis on new forms of media and music, the “new” sanctuary is often being built to be totally dark inside, allowing for lighting, sound and visual systems to be flexible for all forms of contemporary worship. Often, committees forget that stained glass was God’s original slide show; it allowed God’s light to penetrate the beautifully colored or painted/fired glass to tell His story. 
  
Second, there is a tendency toward “economy.” “Stained glass would be nice,” one committee person told me, “but we don’t have the money.”   

Compelling Reasons 
Look at these compelling reasons to include stained glass into your new construction plans:

1. Inspiration: One only needs to look at the face of a child gazing upon stained glass to appreciate its value, which is priceless. Many a lay leader has told me that it was the stained glass that got them through sermons when they were children…and sometimes even as an adult.

Imagine a series of windows on the north wall of your new building. It has scenes of Jesus’ life from his birth, baptism, ministry, last supper, trial, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. On the south walls is the story of God’s promise to his “chosen people” from Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and the prophets. As the congregation exits to the east, there is the story of the new church at Pentecost and the ministries of Peter and Paul as Christianity is taken into the world. Imagine that…..

2. Heritage: While it is fine to build the church building for today, one must also build for the future, which means you provide something for your congregation upon which a heritage is founded. One of the strongest trends in new church construction is from long-established churches; the one thing they want moved to the new site is the stained glass. Stained glass has power that should not be underestimated. The fancy equipment that the church is using now will soon be antiquated; stained glass never will.   

3. Fundraising: Nothing in the life of a church raises money easier than stained glass (with the possible exception of a pipe organ). Recently, I presented a design for a fabulous stained glass window for a large chapel. Its cost? $75,000. Although the committee loved the design and could see the value of the window for the chapel, it was the money that almost overwhelmed them. I insisted that they take the design to just one or two people for funding. Apparently, the committee did not have to speak to the second person. A check for the entire amount was written the day of the first presentation.

Stained glass draws an unbelievable amount of money from sources a congregation would not often touch. Look at the benefits: the chapel has a masterpiece that presents a biblical message, and the family involved receives great satisfaction of knowing they have left their congregation with something inspirational for decades (probably centuries).

Countering the Arguments
Exponents of light and beauty only need to counter the arguments. Try these.

1. Do not close out God’s light:   While designing a new church building to be in complete darkness might have its merits for some purposes or for the style of the current minister, trends and ministers change. There are many effective ways to have the brilliance of light coming through stained glass, and then simply push a button to have shades covering the glass for the few moments a visual presentation needs darkness.
  
There is just something wrong with a building created for darkness and artificial light.   Think about it!

If the pastor is insistent upon darkness, there are other ways of providing the stained glass for the congregation. What about a huge entryway “creation” image as the people enter and depart worship?

What about stained glass at the end of walkways in the educational buildings, or a mixture of glass and light along the top of the fellowship hall?

2. Chief fundraiser:   If you are among those on the building committee who still believes your congregation cannot afford stained glass, you are most likely wrong.  

Or the argument goes like this:  
“Sure we have several who would pay for the stained glass, but we need those same people to pay for the rest of the building.  There’s not very much pizzazz in building a roof or providing a restroom.”
In this case they are right!

So, here is the solution. Let’s say you have met with a stained glass designer who has provided you a $20,000 design for the altar area. Don’t ask someone to give $20,000 for the window; ask for $100,000! Now I am not for the moment suggesting dishonesty here; quite the opposite.

I suggest you tell some of your key donors of church:   We have seven stained glass windows proposed for the new sanctuary. We would like for your family to take on the Altar window. If you do so, we would welcome you placing a nameplate in the window in memory of your beloved mother who passed last year. We are suggesting $100,000 as one of the lead gifts for the church building fund. That amount not only will cover the actual costs of the window but go a long way to help us reach our overall goal. Would you like the altar window or the one in the chapel? 

To be remembered past one’s lifetime is a basic human need.  Probably 50% or more of stained glass windows have been given in remembrance of a loved one. Since stained glass can be periodically restored (and protected and insulated from the elements), the window and the name can endure far into the future.
Perpetuation needs generate enormous fundraising powers. If appropriate, utilize those needs for God’s building. 

Thus, do not construct a building in darkness. Rather build one that tells the story of God’s handiwork that worshippers can gaze upon throughout their life’s Christian journey.

Do not think small and economical, but rather dream dreams and imagine the image of the Bible shining through the walls, and know that you can fund those images far easier than to not have them at all.   
Build stained glass into your future.

Dr. Gary M. Gray is the president of Stained Glass by Shenandoah, www.stainedglassbyshenandoah.com