Monday, September 04, 2006

Creating Space That Works~The Tubes



The Tubes at Irving Bible Church in Dallas, Texas is one of the most unusual things I have ever seen in a church. The Tubes is more than a play area for children. It's a place for moms with young kids to connect with one another. The high ceiling, bright colors, and easy access to the public make this an attractive space that is used throughout the week.

Irving Bible had the vision for this project when they built their large community space adjacent to their new worship center. They acquired a used play set from McDonald's, allowing them to complete the project more economically.

The real value of The Tubes is the impact it has had on the community. Tommy Tucker, Director of Finance and Operations, tells the story of a young Buddhist mother from the neighborhood. She came in to the church one day and asked if her children could use The Tubes even though she didn't attend the church. She began to come on a regular basis with her children to play, and then several weeks later she attended one of their worship services!

Kudos to Irving Bible for a creative, well executed design. The Tubes is a space that works for me!

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