And some religious congregations are thinking several miles away from the box.

As needs and outreaches change, church architecture is changing, too, designers and builders say.

Some churches have opted for the "big box" approach.

Rather than using traditional designs with steeples or domes, ornate architecture and stained glass, some churches have turned to no-frills exteriors to focus on other features, said Tobey Van Wormer, executive director of the National Association of Church Design Builders in Arlington, Texas.

The association is composed of 30 design/building firms and 50 associate firms across the country. It helps congregations design, finance and construct churches.

"There's a lot more of the multipurpose centers, almost community centers," Van Wormer said.

Some churches have built food courts, climbing walls, gyms, coffee bars -- even a bowling alley. And state-of-the-art sound and light systems are increasingly popular.

Another trend is churches focusing on what is around the box, whether that box be Spartan or elaborate.

Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., founded by Rick Warren, pastor and best-selling author of "The Purpose-Driven Life," is affluent, but with a boxy sanctuary, Van Wormer said. But on the grounds are biblical "discovery areas" for the children's ministry, including an ark, a "Zaccheus tree" and a 35-foot-long mist-spouting whale for children to climb on and talk about Jonah.

A new design option for a church with a growing congregation is a satellite campus miles from "the box."

Because of audio-visual technology, congregations can view worship at the main campus.

Here is a look at some diverse approaches.

* First St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, broke ground in October for a 132,000-square-foot, multimillion-dollar expansion. It will include a new sanctuary for its 4,500 worshippers; a mortgage lending office; medical offices; and 40 classrooms for courses on SAT preparation, parenting and money management, Elder Ros McDonald said.

* Inspiring Body of Christ in Dallas is planning a $34 million, 173,000-square-foot complex for its 12,000 members. The structure, featured this summer in the church design builders association's Grow magazine, will include a 4,200-seat worship space and a 70,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. The aquarium was inspired by Jesus' directive to be "fishers of men," said the church's pastor, Rickie Rush.

* St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Euless, Texas, with a congregation of about 120 people, has outgrown its 5,000-square-foot space and is weighing whether to expand or to move. One notion is to buy a building used by another church, said Harry Karegeannes, planning committee chairman.

"If we could afford it, we'd love to build some apartments where the elderly could reside," Karegeannes said. "Being as small as we are, it's a real stretch, but you never know."

Designing a worship place "really depends on a congregation's vision," Van Wormer said. "When you're dealing with God's money, it's something you have to be very comfortable with."