If the church were about selling something, then I suppose that it might have a great deal to learn from Starbucks, because Starbucks is fundamentally about selling things. But, the church is about being sent into the world with a message of free forgiveness to proclaim (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:45-47, John 20:21-23, Acts 1:8). Its preaching should be clear and in the languages of the hearers. But, this does not mean that its proclamation should be turned into a sales pitch.

I have the feeling that if Paul were here today he would spend less time trying to turn the church into Starbucks and more time going into Starbucks and preaching the Gospel (Acts 17:16-34).

Thanks for the comments all. 

Kathy, I guess what I meant was sometimes it seems the message is made to appeal to the masses in such a way that requires little effort and response on the part of the reciever.  Like when I watch television, all I need to do is sit back and let the images and messages come to me.  I'm allowing brands to market themselves to me.  It's comfortable and easy and requires little effort on my part as the viewer.   

Likewise, if there's little effort in receiving something, there's little value to me in keeping it as well.  (ooh.. that sounded deep huh?) :)

Perhaps it's now worth bringing up liturgical worship. Christians have been worshipping liturgically during the entire history of the church, borrowing many components of their services from the Jewish synagogue worship that had developed during the previous centuries (since the time of the OT exile). In liturgical worship, there is a rhythm of God speaking to His people and they responding back to Him in prayer, praise and thankgiving; there is certainly not the sense of just "sitting back."

Also, sanctuaries of liturgical churches often impact the senses in many ways, including sight (through images, architecture, etc.), sound (through instruments such as organs) and even smell (through candles, incense, wine, etc.), and these experiences can "stick" with us in a manner that is unattainable by projecting movies, PowerPoint slides, etc. For this reason, I think that it is important to carefully consider how the overall worship environment in a church strengthens or diminishes faith.

This brief outline of a Lutheran service and this picture of a particularly striking Lutheran sanctuary (not mine!) may help clarify a little bit of what I mean. As a footnote, I'll add that certain Lutheran hymns are far from being "comfortable and easy" to sing, but I have grown to really appreciate them.

This reminds me of something Jesus said.  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;" (Matthew 28:19-20)

The interesting part about this is when you dig into the greek.   Jesus is saying to make disciples and you the way to make disciples is by baptizing and teaching.  Now, I am not saying there isn't experience; but, I think we are doing a lot less of the teaching and learning.

Think about it this way.  Can you really experience being in someone presence without knowing them?  Imagine being in the presence of Abraham Lincoln.  That would be amazing for most of us.  Now, imagine you didn't know who he was or what he did.  You probably wouldn't care so much.

This is something we are loosing that seems to be tied to the current post modern trends in the church. 

If you don't know who God is and what He does for you than why choose the church over starbucks? If the people you know at starbucks treat you with more love and concern than the Christians you know why not just have a warm cup of coffee?

And, the solution is not a coffee bar at the church.

Thanks for your thoughts on this book.... I think I just might have to go read it now. 

Venti Carmel Latte for the fifth pew on the left, please.

I'm with Mike, I think we could learn much more about being "light to the world" in a bar setting.  Most folks don't go to a bar just to drink.  They go cuz they find friends there and they can open up and bare their souls to others.  Traditional churches don't provide this opportunity and some would rather not admit they have problems.

I don't think they had bars or taverns in the first century, but if they had, I bet Jesus would have been there.  I'm not sure what folks talk about in Starbucks.

Randy

Very excellent and insightful post!  I had never realized this interesting Starbucks parallel/metaphor before.  It really fits!  Along these lines, a "fast food church" description comes to mind.  Similarly, with all of the watered-down church services out there, I tend to think of them as "diet church" or something. 
 
jam137 - Thanks for posting those awesome links!  They're very useful and informative!

One thing I've noticed that is a great way of "re-claiming the third place" is to have Bible studies -- actively and often -- in places like Starbucks as many time a week as possible.  And no, I'm not meaning so that the people in the Bible studies can have a Caramel Frappalattesmoothie with next to their highlighters and notepads (my wife used to be a Starbucks GM so I'm allowed to make up drink names lol), but rather so that the people in the Starbucks can be exposed to those reading and studying the Word of God.

Often we forget that we don't need to always approach people directly, face-to-face with tract in hand, about the Gospel.  We're called to be fishers of men!  When was the last time you saw a fisherman jump into the water, grab the fish with his bare hands and yank the hook through the fish's lip?  Instead, he looks for a place where the fish are, casts the appropriate lure in the general area, then waits for the fish to make the move.  He doesn't make the move for the fish -- that would be hunting, not fishing -- but rather the burden falls upon the fish as to whether he wants what's being offered or not.

People will know you're a Christian the same way the fish know a human -- they just sense it.  As a result, after observing you for a short time, they'll either assess you as a threat or a possessor of something they desire, andthey'll make the move when they're ready and the Lord prompts them to.  Rushing that process is quite frankly getting in the way, and it is never an improvement on the pace the Lord has set for that person.

i'm just saying that for a lot of people church can be like a safe haven, a place where you don't have to fight to explain why you believe what you believe or why you won't go to that beer party or why you don't like some rap music or why you don't dress like most people or whatever it is people bother you about. It's really hard to stay focused on god and stay strong in your faith during the week at school where it seems like a lot of people are always harassing you. Yes, I need to hear the sermon and grow in my faith, but I also need time around my fellow christian teens. I look forward to Wednesday nights and Sunday nights all school week long. When I go to youth on Sunday not only do I hear and sermon and discuss it, but I also talk to my friends about the stresses in my week. When I go to bible study not only do I get to dig deep into the meaning of god's word and see how it relates to my life, but I also get encouragement that gets me through the rest of the week.

Church is not the building, but the congregation of the saints, you can worship God on your own, but Psalm 133: 1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  This means anywhere, I have prayer service at my house once a week, and other brother's have it at their homes on the other days.  We are always "In church".

We often indulge in things that are temporary like a tall white mocha chip frappuccino.  When we indulge in lifelasting things like the presence of God and the Holy spirit, we are satisfied to the fullest in and out of church.

Great blog.

I think Carebear said, and Kathy quoted her, "Are we moving towards a lazy television-like way of doing church?"

My response is moving towards, what do you mean moving towards? We've been there for about 20 years IMNSHO. All we here about is "seeker-friendly", "needs-based", and comfort.....

I can hear the Lord say, "My house is to be called a house of prayer", can't you??? 

Makes me think...how come most people don't know what prayer is?  Or if they do, why don't they realize it more often?

Prayer is the two-way communication between the Lord and His people, both expressing to Him all our fears and questions and requests and thanksgivings and Him communicating to us what He wants us to know at that moment.

When Jesus repeated "My house is to be a house of prayer", He was reminding them (and us) that the whole point of even having a "House of God" was for people to meet together for the purpose of hearing from God and communicating with Him.  It's not a place to hear about "Seven Steps to Financial Abundance" or "The Five Reasons Why God Wants You Happy" -- it's a place to be focused on and growing in relationship with the Lord!

Go figure!

I hate the fact that we even call them "services"...sometimes I wonder how people can leave a "service" and not have the impression that the church is there to serve their needs, since that's what so many churches spend their energy doing.

The most honest statement a pastor can make is this: "This building isn't a church, the people of God are His Church, and if you think that this place exists solely to pander to your comfort and convenience, you've been sorely mistaken."

What the mature believer knows (though they might never say it out loud for fear of sounding "harsh") is that they exist to serve the Lord first, His people second, and themselves last.  They don't attend a fellowship to be served by others, but to serve.  This flies in the face of "Starbucks Christian Church".

Hi guys

pierre here from South Africa.. our church is called 3rdplace. we meet in a bar and give ppl (good) coffee free. then teach to them. it is a very relaxed and easy atmosphere.. not threatening to un churched or non churched (whatever you wanna call ppl) types. We want to be like starbucks (even though we do not have starbucks here, we have something something similiar called Seattle Coffee.. which i think is better..). so it is a easy place to come to, with hard teaching. unchurched does not equal stupid (all the time :) ). aaanyway check it ou if you want: www.3rdplace.co.za

 love

p 

I wish I were more like Jesus - what a great attitude he had when dealing with people.  Take Zacchaeus for instance.  As Jesus was passing by on the street, He looked up and saw this short guy, who just happened to be a crooked tax man, perched up in a tree trying get a look at what was going on.  In modern-day venacular, Jesus said something like - 'Hey dude, why don't you come down and we'll hang at your place, and maybe get a bite to eat.'  I mean, how much more down to earth could anyone be about sharing the gospel?  'Go ye' down the street and keep your spiritual eyes open for people who need God. 

Church should be a powerful place where people come to experience the presence and glory of God. This generation does not need some dummied down version of the gospel from a church podium.  But everyone is not going to come to a church.   Carry the glory with you to Starbucks, McDonalds, everywhere.  Be the salt that makes them thirsty for Him.

pp

Graham Cooke, one of my favorite authors/teachers calls Starbucks St. Arbucks and uses it as a place for one on one fellowship/ministry. He does so much of his Father's work there, he calls it his "other" church.

But his speciality isn't mega-media churches like Leonard Sweet writes about. With Graham it's all about relationships. That's paramount. Love God, love others. That said, I do have some experience with media-rich churches and was a member of one where Sweet spoke several times. I liked it to a point. The big screen, the movie clips, lots of music, a cafe. But the disco-ball - now that I hated!

Thanks for the comment Gil.  Barna research is always eye-opening and makes me wonder, how can we not be cynical about what's happening?

But aside from that, you and me need to repent!  Hahaha.. :)