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Cafés in churches
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
FR7 Baptist
Active Member
I wouldn't really like a cafe, but my church has Wednesday night dinners and a dining room.
saturneptune
New Member
posted in error
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The church where I get to serve has a large gathering area with a cafe in it. We keep it open all week long and invite the public to swing through and visit. We also have opened a local coffee house off campus that we use to take our church into the community.
It works for us, maybe not for every church. We are careful to make sure it doesn't wag the dog so to speak.
How about churches in cafes?
ccrobinson
Active Member
Berean said:
I'm a bit obtuse. Would you please explain what you mean by this statement?
Thanks!
We've had both happen.
We helped start a church a few years back who first met in a coffeehouse (after hours).
And we renovated our old fellowship hall--it has a cafe-style setup now.
(but it's not open during worship).
Bob Alkire
New Member
I guess I'm one that does not take change well. You can get coffee before SS and church where I'm a member. I didn't care for that but it didn't bother me that much. As long as it is given (free) to the folks you could give steak and eggs or anything else would be fine with me. Now we have different groups(mission, women groups and so on) putting the coffee out and asking for a donation for it. That I don't go for.
I believe what a church gives, should be free, like bibles, books, tapes, food and so on. I've never drank coffee or ate steak and eggs in SS or service, and wouldn't. However if folks are accepting Christ as their Savior, eating, drinking and taking in the message, all I can say is praise the Lord.
I know change comes and all isn't bad, even if I don't care for it. I still have a hard time getting through more than two or three songs in a service. However I'm still there.
I believe what a church gives, should be free, like bibles, books, tapes, food and so on. I've never drank coffee or ate steak and eggs in SS or service, and wouldn't. However if folks are accepting Christ as their Savior, eating, drinking and taking in the message, all I can say is praise the Lord.
I know change comes and all isn't bad, even if I don't care for it. I still have a hard time getting through more than two or three songs in a service. However I'm still there.
"If the gospel must be a failure unless we attract the people by some extraneous method, it is a poor business. If the fly-paper does not attract the flies, and hold them, we may as well burn the flypaper. If your gospel cannot bring the people to hear you, and if, when they come, your gospel will not impress and convert them, well, then, give it up. Open a coffee-shop, or start in the ginger-beer line; but do not call your useless talk the blessed gospel. If you are not conscious of a supernatural power and presence with the Word of the Lord, let it alone." ---Charles Spurgeon, An All-Round Ministry
We will set still when scripture is twisted and misused while we object strenuously to different music or carrying coffee and dounuts into
the church and sometimes even change churches over such small and trivial things.
I wouldn't feel comfortable with a cafe at church unless someone could prove to me why it was necessary. The church serves two purposes: to equip the saints, and fellowship with other believers. I'm not sure why one would NEED to sell coffee to aid the church in either purpose.
The US is a blessed country with restaurants, libraries, bookstores, coffee shops, etc. all over the place. I don't see why we need to attach that to a church. While drinking coffee is not a sin, I see the line between the church and the world getting thinner and harder to distinguish.
If the church decides to become a "for profit" business owner, why stop with a cafe? Why not add a church skating rink, a church owned theater, a ballpark, car wash, theme park, swimming pool, dance studio, and motel?
The US is a blessed country with restaurants, libraries, bookstores, coffee shops, etc. all over the place. I don't see why we need to attach that to a church. While drinking coffee is not a sin, I see the line between the church and the world getting thinner and harder to distinguish.
If the church decides to become a "for profit" business owner, why stop with a cafe? Why not add a church skating rink, a church owned theater, a ballpark, car wash, theme park, swimming pool, dance studio, and motel?
Why? I'm not trying to be sarcastic, Mexdeaf, I just want to know the reasons. Is it to have a place for people to gather and fellowship all through the week? And if so, wouldn't the church be large enough to give out free coffee without opening a business?
I did not get the sense that this was a "for profit" idea. As you have said, "fellowship with other believers,"drinking coffee together is a great way to fellowship. Drinking coffee is a part of our culture and since there is no Scriptural reason to not drink coffee, why not engage a little of our culture?
As we share the gospel we must be tue to th Scripture in the message, but we should also be culturally relevant to the culture of today. Not saying to compromise, but revelent. If I use an illustration about 8 track tapes, few would know what I am speaking of, it is not culturally relevant to today.
I see no problem with a coffee cafe for outreach or fellowship purposes. Don't have to sell the coffee, but could have a donation can to help cover expenses.
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