I have a personal challenge for everyone.
How about we all READ an article, before we comment on it.
That would clear up a lot, as a starting point.
Exactly. Lol
We have a big flashy new church, coffee bar, auditorium, lighting etc.
My OP said they have their uses, but shouldn't replace Jesus.
I get where the writer of the article is coming from.
The church is a great meeting place, the coffee bar is a useful thing to have, to
socialise, meet up. The coffee bar in my own church is open 5 days a week 9.30 - 2.30pm
serving drinks sandwiches, cakes etc as good as any Starbucks. I've often met up there
with friends myself.
The coffee bar is often used as a venue to share concerns, to meet for prayer, to
formulate ideas, put together bible studies, share ideas, make friends and generally
share life.
I suppose though that problems can sneak in if we "invite people to see how great our coffee
bar is" but don't show them Jesus. Jesus is the answer, not a coffee bar.
Over the last few years I've had many problems looking after my elderly aunt.
Some people thinking inviting someone out for a break to the coffee bar and meeting up for a
piece of chocolate cake is the answer. While I like chocolate cake as much as the next person
and a creamy cappuccino, it's not the answer. It may potentially be the start of the answer. But
the answer is actually found in human beings who follow the example of Jesus.
A coffee and slab of chocolate cake, can't offer practical help, but some people think it does and
they think they have done their bit by buying you a coffee.
A cup of coffee, is unable to give you a lift to hospital to visit a sick relative.
A cup of coffee won't help you move house.
A cup of coffee cannot tell you the gospel.
Equally church adverts/people who say, come and look at our digital lighting effects,
big stage, refurbed arena, come and clap your hands and jump up and down to the music etc,
miss out something vital - Jesus.
I get where the blogger is coming from, in our bigger, better, brighter, all singing all
dancing, sparkling coffee bar churches. We need to ensure Jesus remains the centre stage.
That might be Jesus and what He has for us, what He continues to do. It might be Jesus in the
flesh, the helping hand here, the practical work there, the listening sympathetic ear, the
dropping off a bag of groceries etc.
When the chips are down you don't need a cup of coffee, you need Jesus. If he happens to
turn up with a cup of coffee then that's ok. But the coffee on its own doesn't work.
