I don’t know if it’s like this where you are, but Tulsa churches are notorious for having a bandwagon mentality; if one of them does something “cool”, other churches have to follow suit as quickly as possible. For example, a few years ago one of our mega-churches installed a merry-go-round in their children’s department (you read that right–a real merry-go-round like in the amusement parks). Now word is out that another mega-church is going to follow suit, and maybe one or two more.
Another example…now that the phrase “emergent church” is going mainstream, churches here are scrambling to form “emergent” services, and sometimes do emergent church plants to reach that “market.” Not that this is bad in itself, and some are doing it from pure motives. But the bandwagon mentality kind of ruins the whole idea for me.
One other bandwagon some of the churches are jumping on is the trend to open a gourmet coffee shop to “reach” people. I don’t mean the cappucino bars many churches now have in their lobbies (that is soooo late ’90s)…I mean an actual coffee shop, a separate facility, serving designer drinks to the public. The idea behind this is really a good one…the premise is to have an outlet to make contact with the outside world, and hopefully open up conversations that will help share Christ with people.
But I noticed as I was driving by one of these church-owned coffee houses the other day that it is apparently closed for business. There could be many reasons for this, but two possible reasons are suspect, in my opinion. One reason might be the Starbucks that opened a quarter mile away from them. But there is another reason that is worth considering…
…it might have been because it was too “Christian.”
This is the thing: even when we have a good idea to bridge the widening gap with outsiders…we have this compulsive need to “Christianize” everything we do. We have done this with just about everything from music to books to coffee shops. As I’ve shared in previous posts, we have turned the word “Christian” from a noun into an adjective. We applied the Christian label to our music, and now we have our own genre. We applied it to our books, and now we have a whole branch of the publishing industry. We love the Christian label because we think it represents Christ to the world, but mostly because it makes us Christians feel comfortable with it because we think it’s “safe”–untainted and undefiled.
And every time we Christianize something in this manner, the main patrons are…Christians. Outsiders generally become uncomfortable with it, and it just becomes one more thing, one more sterile environment that isolates Christians from the world around them.
The coffee shop thing is a great idea in general, but I think too many churches waste the effort by insisting that it come under their umbrella. The coffee shop I was speaking of is a separate building, but it’s obvious that it’s on the church campus, and that the main patrons are/were church members. They played Christian music inside. I think they even used funky Christian terminology to describe some of their drinks. That’s playing to the wrong crowd. Why does every business we put in the marketplace have to be a representative of Christendom? Why can’t we just enable people to be Christians in the marketplace, to form relationships, and share Christ in that way?
Take the coffee shop I’m hanging out at now. I’m fairly certain it is owned and run by Christians, just by their friendly attitudes and overhearing some conversations here and there. But Christianity isn’t advertised by the background music or banners on the walls. There is no indication that there is any funding by a local church (although there might be, I don’t know). And it’s in a regular storefront, not on a church campus. And because of this…everyone feels comfortable and welcome here. The coffee shop holds regular open mike nights for music and poetry, and the walls are plastered with art from local folks. People hang out here. It does good business despite the presence of Starbucks in town. And occasionally, a conversation breaks out about Jesus. I’ve heard it.
Is this a “Christian” business? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is for certain: the word “Christian” here is more noun than adjective. “Christian” doesn’t describe the coffee, or the atmosphere, or the music. “Christian” describes the people who are involved in this shop. And because of that…I think there is a much greater chance of an outsider finding the real Jesus through relationships with these people.
When it comes down to it…the Christianization of our stuff is a bit of a cop-out, isn’t it? If the message is contained in our background music, or in our coffee drinks…there is less pressure for the message to be contained in our own lives. When we stop broadcasting Jesus with our stuff, we begin to bear more of the responsibility for being Jesus to the world around us.
It’s a bit messier, and it isn’t easy…but it’s real. And that’s what the world is looking for. “Christian” as a noun is much more effective than “Christian” as an adjective.
Just sayin’. 🙂
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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Jeff,
Great post!! I couldn’t agree with you more on the Christianization of Everything. I fully agree with what you mentioned about the System opening up congregations seeking to tap into the “Emergent” market. My best guess is that the same thing will happen with these churches as do all other traditional congregations.
What you mentioned about the “Christian-owned” coffee shops, and “labeled” as so will detract rather than attract non-believing patrons (and quite honestly, many Christians, as well). What you said here gets to the heart of the reason:
“…it might have been because it was too “Christian…Outsiders generally become uncomfortable with it, and it just becomes one more thing, one more sterile environment that isolates Christians from the world around them…too many churches waste the effort by insisting that it come under their umbrella.”
“Why can’t we just enable people to be Christians in the marketplace, to form relationships, and share Christ in that way?”
I loved what you said about the “essence” of the coffee show you frequent being “Christian.” And why? Because it’s the PEOPLE within it, the relationships, the care, friendliness and overall love that is exuded there.
Yes…exactly!
Again, Jeff, excellent post!
Blessings,
~Amy 🙂
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com
Great post Jeff. We have friends who own a coffee shop. They have to resist pressure from the church crowd to “christianize” their shop. But they get what you are saying here, they are christians who own a coffee shop, not people who own a christian coffee shop.
“Christian doesn’t describe the coffee, or the atmosphere, or the music. “Christian” describes the people who are involved in this shop. And because of that…I think there is a much greater chance of an outsider finding the real Jesus through relationships with these people.”
Yes! Right on! What you said is how the Kingdom of God is spread. It’s like yeast.
There is a coffee shop called “Jabez” located in the rough part of my city near the sky train station. They do exactly that. The owner spends time talking to many a down and outer.
I don’t want to encourage too many theology posts :o), but this is a great one, Jeff. I have a couple of comments:
1) I had an atheist friend (he killed himself) who used to RANT about companies identifying themselves as “Christian”, especially the little fish symbol in the Yellow Pages. His main point was, “I want a competent plumber,” (or whatever), “and what does your being Christian have to do with being a competent plumber?” He used to exclude choosing such vendors on principle. And I think that’s an important point – for people who don’t want to be reached/preached to, simply announcing “We be Christians here” is a way of pushing them away.
2) I am personally not that comfortable in most “Christian” business settings (like bookstores) myself. Something a little too sterile and Stepford about it all. I certainly couldn’t be myself or I might accidentally drop a curse word and win a disapproving glance.
3) I think there’s a real risk in being too overtly “Christian” as a business, and that is if you dissatisfy someone or are an ass or whatever, they’re going to stop doing business with you and think (and possibly even spread the word) that, “Those Christians are so hypocritical! I had a so-call ‘Christian’ business screw me out of a refund the other day!” It is sorta like people who have Godstickers all over their cars and then drive like assholes. What message does that spread? (Which is why I used to have “How would Jesus drive?” as a bumpersticker – it was there to remind ME as I got in my car not to be as aggressive a driver.”
“If the message is contained in our background music, or in our coffee drinks…there is less pressure for the message to be contained in our own lives. When we stop broadcasting Jesus with our stuff, we begin to bear more of the responsibility for being Jesus to the world around us.”
That’s very insightful. Great post, Jeff! Keep challenging us toward the way of Jesus! 🙂
I love how Christianize is now a voib.
As the former co-owner of a (short-lived) coffee house I can testify to the pressure (by some) to “christianize” the place. We thought it was funny.
From what I can tell, Jesus spent quite a lot of time with those, somewhat less than ‘pure’ people He ministered to. Perhaps we should emulate His example a bit more.
btw, would that coffee shop be near the Bass Pro shop?
Amy,
It’s amazing to me how quickly the emergent thing has become a “market”, a “demographic”. Totally misses the point. 🙂
Grace,
“…they are christians who own a coffee shop, not people who own a christian coffee shop.
Well said.
Ruth,
Thanks for the encouragement. I’m glad to hear about the good stuff going on at Jabez.
Jim,
*Gasp* You mean you actually CUSS? 🙂
I had a friend in high school whose father refused to put Christian bumper stickers on his car for the very same reason you described–because he knew sometimes he didn’t measure up to them and didn’t want to destroy his witness by some stupid action. I thought that was wise, and I’ve never put one on my car, either. 🙂
Sarah,
I don’t know. This stuff just comes to me. 🙂
Thanks dor the encouragement.
Steve,
If “Christian” is now an adjective, and “Christianize” is now a voib…is “Christianly” an adverb? 🙂
M-I-T,
Are you stalking me or something? 🙂 Yeah, you apparently know the place I’m talking about. For that matter, you probably know the *other* place I’m talking about. 🙂
Jeff, great post :))!
too Christian , yup.
So true – they want everything to be "Christian" because somehow it takes the pressure off their need to simply be; be real LIFE to people that simply cross their pathway.
I feel "Christianizing" our lives, makes us less appreciative of those in our lives in the here and now when it comes right down to it. We fail on the very basics of what this life in Christ is all about when we become and adhere to christianized lifestyles; to simply treat others with humility & love by preferring ourself and our 'christianized lifestyles' over simple sharing of life & hope with others.
Jeff,
I was curious because I live not so very far from that coffee shop and have frequented it myself. Your description made me think of it.
Jim,
Yes that Stepford feeling gives me the willies too.
I am with you 100% on this one. I can’t stand to see some of the “Christian” products and businesses these days.
I had a relative pull some mints out of her purse the other day. They came in a little tin like Altoids. It had all kinds of “christian” symbols all over it, and wouldn’t you know that every single mint was shaped like a cross.
Mark:
The mints shoulda been shaped like little loaves of bread (or Eucharist wafers) and glasses of wine. Jesus did say “Eat me.” :o)
Jim,
I believe you are right. The company that made those mints missed the mark. Maybe in more ways than one.