What if Starbucks marketed like a church. A parable.

Watch this!

What were your thoughts as you watched the video?
Did you chuckle at the irony? Could you relate? Have you ever been a guest at a church?

My initial thoughts were.. If starbucks marketed like a church.. oh man. It would be a completely different business. Their casual and inviting atmosphere, and overall brand identity is quite successful as a business I would say. They've branched off everywhere. On their website the tagline is "Come in for a while. Make yourself at home. Can we get you anything?" I think our churches try to give off the same vibe but we are not always as successful.

I must say, though, that churches offer a much different 'product' than Starbucks. A religion is a much harder sell in any context, especially with all the negative connotations that Christians have these days. BUT watching the video is definitely an eye-opener to many things that we do as a church community that just don't make it too appealing for first time guests to want to come back.

The term 'church' can refer to both the universal body of believers, but it can also refer to the local body or community of believers like your own church. As a local body of believers who come together for TC, how do we 'market' the gospel? How do we represent it and make guests feel welcome? Do we do a good job of this?

As a follower of Christ, how do you feel you do in terms of this? If your actions and behaviours were observed, would people be able to make a mockery out of it?

Luckily for us, the Good News that Jesus brings is much more attractive than what we could ever give it justice for.

Let's continue to be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) as we go about our day. You never know who is watching!

*rebecca

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At my high school fellowship, I remember 2 new people came in off the streets on a particular Friday. Before our main program, our youth pastor made a semi big deal of the fact that we had some 'first timers'. We all exchanged pleasantries, introduced ourselves in a circle and went about our evening. At the end, I remember distinctly giving them a quick glance, like in the video, and then proceeding to chat with my friends. I will forever remember that evening because a close friend called me out on my behaviour. She said 'I can't believe you're considered a Spiritual leader who will set an example but when you actually have the opportunity to show God's love by taking an extra few minutes just to hear their stories, you chicken out and selfishly do what's comfortable. If they never come back, I hope you consider yourself partially responsible'. They never did come back.

Why is it that we are so blantant about keeping traditions and making church about what we do but so easily forget that everything about church is not mandatory except the gathering and the presence of God? Why is it that we can focus so much on programs and schedules and forget to listen to the Lord when He is speaking to us in a gentle whisper?

I know in my example, I was afraid. I didn't want an awkward situation and, because the new-comers seemed a bit different, I didn't know exactly what to say to them so I said nothing and pretended like it was any other Friday. I feel like so often, as a body of believers, we break down a Sunday service or a Friday fellowship into tasks. We break down worship into songs, readings and prayer and we make Sunday into a routine. I'm not saying any of those things are wrong in and of themselves. However, we completely miss the point when we hide behind them by making them our primary focus, forgetting that we are called to be with God as a congregation.

It's time to stop making it about what we do and take the time to ensure that what we do is truly an expression of who we are in Christ, both as individuals and as a body.

*sam