espressounderground
New member
Christian Coffee House- Edifying or Ministering?
I'm always a little disappointed to see other Christians setting up or looking to set up Christian-oriented coffee houses for one good reason; they more oft than not turn away the non-believers and become more or less, a branch off of the church atmosphere. I speak from 2 separate experiences as a coffee house owner. Our first coffee house in Texas was bought from Christians who advertised themselves as a Christian coffee house. Not a Christian coffee house open to all walks of life, but a coffee house for Christians to meet and edify. This was not only a terrible business move (alot of non-Christians felt unwelcomed and overwhelmed by the Christian concerts, the literature and blatant pro-Christian artwork concerning Hell and it's members) but it didn't serve a purpose in it's community. Christians still didn't like it because the drinks were unbelievably terrible and the owners refused advice from those of us who knew espresso. We tried to help them, and once the business went down, we bought it. For 6 mths we tried to wipe out the stigma of being a Christian coffee house, and eventually people learned that we were Christians who simply owned a coffee house that served the best espresso in east Texas, and allowed open-mic nights for all. Some never returned so we never had a chance to change their minds. We did have alot of Christian concerts, but we made it clear what was playing - we didn't try to smokescreen it and trick non-believers into coming in, and this resulted in alot of interesting experiences that were positive and beneficial.
After seeing the community stigmatize the local teens as being trashy, good-for-nothings out to destroy the town, our calling became clear, and we moved the House to an upstairs location and focused on the kids instead of the old people (the worst customers simply because they can be so unbelievably judgmental, negative and mean-spirited) the youth loved it, it was a complete bohemian, wild atmosphere of craziness, and all types of music was allowed with prior approval. This was the fulfilling part. We had youth who were into witchcraft, youth who were bisexual, kids who were falling apart at home within tragic family environments, and the Loft became their home away from home. Kids who were into punk and goth and other "wild" and "unacceptable" paths, actually felt welcomed there, and cried when we finally closed. FIVE of them accepted Christ because of the Coffee House. We didn't shove Jesus down their throats - we loved them, and they learned through this simplest manifestation of the Real Jesus, what He was about. Yet, in that town and soooo many others, many of the older Christians find the simplest of His commands to be unattainable in their own lives. They have no idea how easy it can be to show the love-starved and the lost, who He really is, without judging, condemning, or building walls around themselves and their fellow believers and calling it a Christian business.
I completely and thoroughly urge the Christians here to really think about what they're doing before opening a "Christian" coffee house. Will it really be edifying, when that can and SHOULD be found in church? Or will it be an offensive heartsore to those looking upon it as just another way for Christians to band together and shut the world out? Wouldn't you rather open yourself up to a wealth of experiences that not only edify but minister and change lives????
No offense here at all intended, but if you are offended, perhaps you need to pray....
In Him!!!
L.A
I'm always a little disappointed to see other Christians setting up or looking to set up Christian-oriented coffee houses for one good reason; they more oft than not turn away the non-believers and become more or less, a branch off of the church atmosphere. I speak from 2 separate experiences as a coffee house owner. Our first coffee house in Texas was bought from Christians who advertised themselves as a Christian coffee house. Not a Christian coffee house open to all walks of life, but a coffee house for Christians to meet and edify. This was not only a terrible business move (alot of non-Christians felt unwelcomed and overwhelmed by the Christian concerts, the literature and blatant pro-Christian artwork concerning Hell and it's members) but it didn't serve a purpose in it's community. Christians still didn't like it because the drinks were unbelievably terrible and the owners refused advice from those of us who knew espresso. We tried to help them, and once the business went down, we bought it. For 6 mths we tried to wipe out the stigma of being a Christian coffee house, and eventually people learned that we were Christians who simply owned a coffee house that served the best espresso in east Texas, and allowed open-mic nights for all. Some never returned so we never had a chance to change their minds. We did have alot of Christian concerts, but we made it clear what was playing - we didn't try to smokescreen it and trick non-believers into coming in, and this resulted in alot of interesting experiences that were positive and beneficial.
After seeing the community stigmatize the local teens as being trashy, good-for-nothings out to destroy the town, our calling became clear, and we moved the House to an upstairs location and focused on the kids instead of the old people (the worst customers simply because they can be so unbelievably judgmental, negative and mean-spirited) the youth loved it, it was a complete bohemian, wild atmosphere of craziness, and all types of music was allowed with prior approval. This was the fulfilling part. We had youth who were into witchcraft, youth who were bisexual, kids who were falling apart at home within tragic family environments, and the Loft became their home away from home. Kids who were into punk and goth and other "wild" and "unacceptable" paths, actually felt welcomed there, and cried when we finally closed. FIVE of them accepted Christ because of the Coffee House. We didn't shove Jesus down their throats - we loved them, and they learned through this simplest manifestation of the Real Jesus, what He was about. Yet, in that town and soooo many others, many of the older Christians find the simplest of His commands to be unattainable in their own lives. They have no idea how easy it can be to show the love-starved and the lost, who He really is, without judging, condemning, or building walls around themselves and their fellow believers and calling it a Christian business.
I completely and thoroughly urge the Christians here to really think about what they're doing before opening a "Christian" coffee house. Will it really be edifying, when that can and SHOULD be found in church? Or will it be an offensive heartsore to those looking upon it as just another way for Christians to band together and shut the world out? Wouldn't you rather open yourself up to a wealth of experiences that not only edify but minister and change lives????
No offense here at all intended, but if you are offended, perhaps you need to pray....
In Him!!!
L.A
mar2rch
