About 8 months ago a coffee shop opened up near my house. “It’s a Grind” got off to a slow start because the road that it was on didn’t go anywhere until recently. It became my new favorite place to work for 3 reasons. 1. Great coffee (8 different kinds regularly brewed) 2. Free internet, 3. Close to my neighborhood.
Over the years I have mostly gone regularlyl to a couple different coffee shops. When I was in Los Angeles I went almost daily to a Starbucks right at the top of Beverly Glen and Mulholland. It was sort of a “Coffee for the stars” location. At first that’s probably why I went there but after a while I became a regular customer. It still gave me a rush to see someone famous but I mostly went there because the people behind the counter new who I was, what I did and what I liked to drink.
I recently heard the CEO of Starbucks say that they weren’t in the business of selling coffee. What they sold were relationships. Coffee was just a way to do that. I think that statement has quite a few implications for those of us in the Church world. First, we have to be careful to not think that the programs we are running and the services we are providing are what we are about. Just like Starbucks we are in the people business. Our programs are a way of connecting with people and bringing them in but they are just a means to an end. The end is building relationships and introducing people to Jesus. Secondly, we need to realize that creating a “place where everyone knows your name” to quote Cheers is crucial to doing ministry. If someone comes to our churches regularly and isn’t “known” they will probably leave and go find a new place.
I’m guilty of putting more effort into programs than people. Its a natural thing. We get excited about our vision and start brainstorming ways to make it better. Its so easy to lose sight of our purpose.
Lastly, there are tons of coffee shops out there. I went to quite a few before I found one that was my “home.” Churches need to realize that the same thing happens with people who are checking us out. Programs are great but relationships are more important. In order for us to keep people and attract people we need to create an atmosphere of “being known.” We must as leaders teach our congregations why this is so important and show them how this model of outreach is probably more effective than a lot of the “programs” that we have done over the years to attract new people.
At least that’s what I’m thinking as I eat my blueberry bran muffin and sip on my large vanilla nut coffee with a little cream and a packet of splenda.
I love It’s a Grind! About six months before my wife and I moved from LA to Ventura (and then on to Hawaii) It’s a Grind opended up a location in our town. It was great. My nieghbor across the hall of our apartment was one of the managers. He used to be a professional wrestler until he had a heart attack at a very young age. Anyhow, great coffee, killer atmosphere, again, free internet- ours even had good music. I love It’s a Grind.
Now in Hawaii, we’ve got a ‘Bucks about two blocks away from our house. The folks there know us, so we stick around. I agree with the ministry implications here too- great insight.
mmmmm splenda.