Camp out long enough and you'll start craving that 'burnt tasting' coffee!

And, more than likely, you'll eventually pour some on your laptop (like I did yesterday).

Amen! Well said! Be there! Doing that! Thanks!

I have been a senior pastor for 15+ years and never had a building... so coffee shops have served as my office for quite some time.

I agree! Plus my wife works for Starbucks so at least one of the workers likes me a lot.

I hear you, Bob. But I'm a Baptist, so for me, the coffee has to be Dunkin.

Thanks for the inspiration/transparency, much appreciated by this fellow church planter:)

Great post, Bob. It's interesting. There has been quite a bit of talk about "third spaces" and the church in the past 5 years. Primarily, churches building 3rd spaces to be more "in public" or "in the marketplace." Nothing really wrong with this. But it makes me wonder if it really is more about being intentional. Not that you can't build something and sink a mortgage payment a month into it, but what if missional disciples, en masse, chose to baptize already existing "third spaces" and create thin places. Got a big church? Claim three Starbucks for God. Smaller? Claim one. I wonder what would happen if we brought that level of Kingdom intentionality into these third spaces. People seem to respond well to this in churches that are spending a good deal of money to build them. How might they respond if we transform already-existing spaces for free? What if it was more than one church planter in a coffee shop and the random people who meet him there?

I have a missionary friend who worked and ministered in Starbucks! The mission field can take us anywhere - even our own neighborhood! May we be obedient to God wherever we are to share the Good News and if a cup of java happens to be a part of it, praise Him!

Bob,
As always, you have something worth reading and you write in a way that makes me want to read.
Just so happens I read your piece this AM after a meeting at TaborSpace, a NFP coffee house hosted in the old sanctuary at a church down the street from my office. And I could not help but notice how the folks there were a real hodgepodge -- and I doubt many (if any) of them are members of the church. There was a group of moms with toddlers, two old guys planning a website of some sort, a couple of business types, and so on (Yes, I was being kind of snoopy). Anyway, it was the same sort of people who haunt St'bucks.
So it might be that (done right) a church coffee house can be missional and be a good thing in the same way (and in different ways) as being missional in Starbucks.
Thanks for getting us all thinking. Now, where'd I put my cup?

Like that early morning cup of coffee these words and thoughts were just what was needed to energize me and pull me into a bright new day of ministry.

I couldn't help but think of Paul speaking at the meeting of Areopagus.

Church planters are often called to be pastors and evangelists and it sounds like you are doing both in this one setting.

I would add one word of caution. When we utilize a place like Starbucks, we should be sure that we have the blessing of the management to occupy a table and chair for lengthy periods of time. And leave big tips for the employees.

I liked the article. I understand that it is a great place to meet, work, pray, and discuss spiritual matters. I have spent a great deal of time in coffee shops myself. However, I do have a question that I believe is worth considering. A question that I am wrestling with in my life, and trying to understand.
Is this how we should be stewards of God's funds? I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but over time the cost of that coffee can get quite expensive. There are organizations that can provide entire meals for the cost of the coffee at a coffee shop.
I really go back and forth on this. Lately, I haven't been frequenting them as often, and I have tried to up my missional giving instead. When I read the article, I was transported back to those happy moments a coffee shop with my favorite beverage. I couldn't help think I should go back, maybe tomorrow. I am longing for that comfort, and "spiritual feel". I enjoy the quiet alone time, or the reading, or meeting the people. Then again it seems so self serving, and I ask myself, "What would Jesus pay for a cup of coffee?"
Can someone help me out?

Good question- the truth is, if you order a big fancy drink, you will over pay. But a drip coffee? $1.50- about what you pay anywhere- less than most places including Denny's.
It's all in what you buy!

Chad! I know that place too- and I think what they are doing is different than (hope I don't sound too critical here- too late??) hiding a coffee shop behind miles of church parking lot in the middle of some megachurch campus. They're right smack in the middle of the city, on a main thoroughfare- very integrated into the neighborhood...

What do you have against Willie Nelson?! ;)

"What would Jesus pay for a cup of coffee?"

- Greg,same price as everybody else. Sometimes it's easy to over think some things and this is surely one of them.

"Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor." However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? Because she has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you; but you don't always have me. For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her." Matthew 26:6-13

This would be similar to my experience, except the location is the Electric Brew, our local coffee shop in Goshen, IN that offers fair trade coffee roasted on the premises, great food and lots of seating. The local Starbucks has about four tables and four armchairs.

My husband found Panera Bread worked better as a meeting and discussion place for him (he's a real "coffee connoisseur," too, and never developed a taste for Starbuck's). I find I can't have a quality "quiet time" in a public place (other than in a church building in the area set aside for prayer). Some people can make of almost any space a "prayer closet," and here necessity can be the mother of invention, too, but I am too easily distracted and self-conscious. (Study and discussion; however, are another thing.) I'm also suspicious that there may be a lack of real depth of prayer to such a casual approach to regular "quiet time" with God--not that He cannot be really and truly present in more casual moments as well. Scripture seems to counsel regular periods of solitude, privacy, reverence and a real effort at spiritual alertness for this purpose (fasting even). Having moved from an Evangelical form of worship to an Eastern Orthodox one, I have found that my awareness of the sanctifying presence of God in all times, places, and things has been directly proportional to my experience of those periods of time, spaces, and objects that have been set apart and reserved exclusively for worship.

Your article was great!
I have been wrestling with the thought of contacting the StarBucks in my area to see if they would allow me to do a 30 min devotional time with the kids. Announce it and give the moms 30 min. to enjoy their coffee and time with one another while their kids learn about Jesus and make new friends.

Any thoughts on the matter?

children@rbbcsc.org

I think the functionality of these places as "third spaces" only works insofar as they are impromptu. Spontaneous. I might even go so far as saying "authentic."

I think the dynamic is destroyed when it becomes more of a corporate church venture and when you start alienating other customers, you begin working against yourself and maybe God.

I would caution strongly about group meetings in a Starbucks - not saying it's impossible, just that if it's pre-planned people expect more consideration in the way of room to escape from you if they should discretely wish to.

Asia is Christian women she is blamed that she insulted the prophet Mohammed and she was reset the court. And she is in the jail. Governor of Punjab province was supporting her. But Muslim priest (moluies.and turban) was against him. Three day before they kill him. We are also marching peace rally. Please payer for Christian in Pakistan. To Corporate with us and we open peace seminars in Pakistan. To change them Muslim mined

When I was at a smaller church, I was at a Starbucks about once a day. The office administrator worked 9am-2pm only a few days a week, and it would have been unwise to meet with students after school in an empty church. Thankfully, there was a Starbucks right by most high schools, though I also got weary of them. Now that I'm in Northern Utah, I'm so thankful for Starbucks...not a whole lot of other choices around!

Wendy's, MacD's, IHOP's, Burger King's, BC Diner, Imperial Diner, A Touch of Italy, and even a couple of others are all places we meet Jesus. Thank God that God is everywhere.

Good thoughts. I know when our church built a coffee shop on site years ago, one of the things that was touted was a place to come and have a conversation with visitors or seekers. For the most part, it's become a place that's nice for the regular worshippers to attend, but without that intentionality, visitors and those new to the fellowship can probably walk in and out of it without ever having a meaningful conversation with anyone about the church or the faith. Several years later, it's being operated on limited hours because it is not profitable for us to have it open all the time and being that it's inside of our church (which you'd have to know it's there and then drive into a large parking lot before making your way into the building) it's not conducive to walk-in traffic. So basically, it turned out to be something we built for ourselves, even if that wasn't the original intention. I suspect at the time it was built, it was a trend that was being followed that has not turned out to be the place of opportunity that was hoped for. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean that nothing meaningful happens. It is a good space to meet with people that is less formal than a conference room. But I agree with you, Bob, sometimes we tend to pull out of the world when in fact, we've been called to be in it.

Yes! Beautifully stated. I wouldn't know what to do without the big blue chair in my "2nd office."

I am also a parishioner of the Church of St. Arbucks. I can't say I get there daily, but most weeks at least one day.

I relate to what you've said. I love my "quiet time" there. I can pretty much blot out the music in the background. You can work there (free Wi-Fi is great!), pray there, journal there, etc.

So many are in and out, but I love it when I have some time to stay and enjoy the "third space". It's just not the same when you try and do your "quiet time" at the real office.

There's another element to this conversation that needs to be raised, and as I type I am fully aware that I'm doing this in one of the 3 or 4 regular Starbucks I frequent.

If I could find an independent coffee shop that was conducive to work, I would be there right now. But there are none in my little strange corner of Metro Vancouver, so I'm sitting Starbucks criticizing Starbucks. So be it.

The other element to this conversation is the issue of justice. First, Starbuck's fair trade record leaves a lot to be desired. Secondly, the current CEO and original founder Howard Schultz is a major funder of illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories in the West Bank. So, as I drink my $4 Earl Grey Tea Latte I'm conscious of the fact that the profit is indirectly contributing to the oppression of Palestinian friends.

I'm not sure what to do with that, but as I said, it needs to be a part of this conversation.

Bob,
I enjoyed your article and can see the different perspectives you give regarding it being used as an office, friendly hangout, and opportunity for ministry. It has served many all the above also. I suppose discerning whether this time is profitable in one's schedule is a concern. Sometimes being led by the Lord we find ourselves in places with one intent while His leading results in encounters we never planned. There never seems to be a one size fits all but the crucial aspect I see for all our lives is that we daily surrender our will to His and in doing so navigate ourselves accordingly. I'll bet many conflicts have been resolved, many ideas have been birthed, and many wonderful relationships have been strengthened in such places. To live for God is a wonderful exciting thing and to be used as an instrument in His hands very rewarding. We only have so much time in a day and God desires for us to use it wisely all the while keeping Him at the forefront. Time wasted or well spent is something our spirit should discern. I want to make the best use of time this year and if it leads me to coffee shops or restaurants I will be mindful that His ways are higher than mine and to never discount a Divine encounter along the way.

Great article! As a Barista at Starbucks, I find it so encouraging to see fellow believers utilizing our space. And the exciting thing is that lots of people notice- other customers and Baristas.

In one store where I worked, we had a pastor come to write his sermons each week. He knew all of us by name, regularly extended invitations to visit his church, and found ways to care for the employees at the store, like bringing us cookies or even helping us take out the trash.

You can have such a powerful wittness at Starbucks. In a fast-paced, often stressful work environment, customers who display Christ's love really do stand out.

Bob:

I enjoyed your column. As a 30-year resident of Portland, I enjoyed the variety of coffee shops available in the community. On any given block, there would be three coffee shops, one would be a Starbucks and it would always be the least busy of the three.

But times have changed, and it was especially sad to learn how many different coffee chains were bought out (sipped up?) by Starbucks. It took all the unique flavors out of the coffee scene in Portland.

Is there a Christian analogy to this? I believe so, but a "1500 character max" won't allow for elaboration.

Good thoughts! Gotta wonder the same thing though about pulling baptisms in the private arena, education into the church, and recreation into the "multi-purpose" buildings or many churches.

"Father, I pray [NOT] that you would take them out of the world, but that you would keep them from the world."

St. Arbucks is a Sacred Place

It's communion... of another kind
where caffeine seekers can unwind
to drink in the sweet ambiance
that St. Arbucks provides.

As congregants both young and old,
we're seated close and thus are bold
to talk of life (latte in hand)
and taste the mystery.

We lift the cup and share our lives
in honest words that aren't contrived.
And if inclined, we all confess
our failures and our dreams.

St. Arbucks is a sacred place
where those who run the human's race
can sip the nectar of the gods
awake to what is good.

It is quite sanctuary-like
where mothers and their little tykes
can find a refuge from routines
while seated near the fire.

There are no stained glass windows there
but those behind the "pulpit" care
about the thirst we long to quench
and "preach" through what they pour.

What Cheers was thirty years ago
is now St. Arbucks. Don't you know?
A church where we are known by name
and feel like family.

One of our local churches here knocked out the wall of a sunday school classroom near the doors to the hall between the sanctuary and the classroom wing and turned it into a coffee shop. They fire up the pots and people opt to stay and socialize as a community.

I think more Church buildings need to take a room near the main doors of the parish halls and sunday school buildings to create a meeting space for the community!