Ok. Not really. But they are everywhere. And they have infiltrated our lives and our culture.

But that is not a bad thing by any means. A good cup of Joe (or a good cup of Venti Americano half-caf, skinny, with a shot of almond) is a great way to start or finish your busy day. Coffee shops provide a cool place for teens and young adults to hang out with friends. It is a cozy spot for people to read books or the newspaper while sipping on something warm and delicious. Coffee shops are great for conversations, games, friends, and fun. And they also provide an excellent symbolism that reveals an accurate picture of the personality of your church.

Think about this: if your church was a coffee shop – what kind of coffee shop would it be?

There are several distinct types of coffee shops in towns around America. Each one of these categories of coffee shops presents a unique form that most every church can relate to. We will take a look at the different types of coffee shops to see the one with which your church most closely identifies.

Starbucks. On almost every corner in every big city there is a Starbucks. It has taken over the coffee industry with its consistently good drinks, delightful pastries, and infectious culture. It is large and in charge. Starbucks is known for being the business side of coffee; they bring the people in, give them what they want, and run an efficient shop. Maybe your church is a lot like Starbucks. A church that would fit into this mold would be one that provides a very good product to the community. The church is probably a bigger church that markets its programs well and really gets people in the doors. The culture of the church is focused on having things run smoothly and efficiently. The church is definitely personable, but they do it in a very mainstream, corporate type of way. They want to provide a good “product” for their “customers”. This is the Starbucks type of Church.

Flying M. Every city usually has one of those eclectic and unique coffee shops that attracts the most interesting and diverse group of people. In my town, this coffee shop is called Flying M. They offer a great atmosphere for people to come and talk in as they sit in old chairs and couches while perusing through underground magazines and looking at the local art on the walls. The Flying M is that coffee shop where everyone feels comfortable; it is not too big or too fancy. Maybe your church is a Flying M kind of church. This church offers a down home, local experience for individuals instead of the masses. The Flying M church is a little bit smaller, and they like it that way. It is a church that is great at connecting with people in personal ways. They provide a very relevant culture that focuses holistically on people’s lives, emotions, and passions. This is the Flying M type of church.

Drive-Thru Java. These drive-thru coffee shacks are all over big cities these days. The one in our town is called Drive-Thru Java. These coffee shops are very unique because they provide a specialized service. They are built for convenience and built for speed. It is an in-and-out coffee shop. They want you to get what you need (that large cup of caffeine to get you through the day!) and get on your way. Drive-Thru Java is a small establishment that sits in the parking lot of a larger store – and it is solely focused on getting you what you need as quickly as possible. There are many churches out there today that operate like Drive-Thru Java. These churches focus on meeting basic spiritual needs of salvation and discipleship. They provide the bare essentials that will keep people going, but they do not provide a place for people to stop and sit and listen and learn. Churches like this offer people quick-fixes for their spiritual lives. They have programs and projects that never go very deep with people, but they sure do get a lot of things done. These churches are always busy – busy, busy, busy. This is the Drive-Thru Java type of church.

So what coffee shop is your church like? Which one most closely resembles the things that your church does? It is an interesting analogy that might shed a little light onto the personality of your church. Are you a Starbucks type of church that focuses on providing a good product for the masses? Are you a Flying M kind of church that provides a welcoming and personal culture? Are you a Drive-Thru Java church that is super busy with programs and has an in-and-out feel to it?

Think about coffee shops in your town. Which one would your church be?

And then think about this – who goes to that coffee shop?

Alright, all this talk about coffee shop has made me thirsty. I’m gonna go get a chai.