Outreach to unbelievers & believers, too

[graceforme]

My church owns a building that was once an athletic club. We renovated it into a church. It is large - about 23,000 square feet. We have basketball courts, racquetball courts, weight room. saunas, whirlpools, a swimming pool, walk track, etc. The idea of buying the building was to have many outreach opportunities, and we have done that. The building is used for homeschooling classes, basketball leagues, etc. There have been several salvations through the sports ministry. Pastor does a devotional before each game, and we have had several families come into our church body and get saved as a result of this sports ministry.

Now the pastor wants to open a coffee house in the church. We have so much room and a wonderful area to use for this cause. His motive is to have an outreach to minister to people who live in our immediate community.

The problem is that there are only a few people in the congregation who are supporting his desire for this ministry. The rest are either 'neutral" or they simply think that he's stepping way outside the boundaries for evangelism. I personally think it's a wonderful idea and have offered to volunteer to help run the cafe.

There would be no monetary gain from this, but the goal is outreach to others. All money that comes in would be on a "donation" basis.

I can't understand why the folks are so against this. Someone in the church said, "The Word should bring people in." That may be true, but for an unbeliever, the Word probably won't do it. Programs bring people in - the Word should keep them in.

Any thoughts on this?

graceforme

[funmudder]

Maybe the concerned members are siding on the side of caution?

While there is nothing wrong with coffee (Praise the Lord!)we do need to be careful about what we are presenting. What would setting up a coffee shop appear like to unbelievers? Perhaps they are concerned about appearing too worldly, or looking like the church is no different than a starbucks chain wanna be?

Has there been a meeting set up so everyone can voice their concerns both for and against the idea? Maybe the resistance has more to do with not knowing enough details on just how this would be a ministry? Open communication solves many things. :thumbup

[waitin]

I always say - meet a need, then plant a seed! The secular ,fleshy, non-believer, who doesn't know about anything spiritual, will absolutely need to have a " draw", something to get their attention. Coffee and donuts are a good start. So, I am in agreement with you, graceforme!

[waitin]

I just noticed, since this is my first post on the new site, that it says "junior member". Wow, I've been here since 2003! But yes I realize we are starting anew. It just looks weird. Sorry, back to subject!

[graceforme]

Hello funmudder and waitin'

Thank you for your thoughts on the coffee shop idea. We had several meetings concerning the possibility of having the coffee shop when the idea was first thought of. Interestingly enough, the very ones who are now in opposition never attended any of those meetings. They are, however, planning to leave our assembly if we go ahead with this.

The pastor has been meeting with them on a one-to-one basis, but they seem very solid in their decision.

Such a shame that a church might be torn apart because we desire to minister to the public. I know of several churches that are doing this very thing with great success, and folks are being introduced to Jesus Christ through this kind of outreach. We'll just leave it in the Lord's hands and follow the direction He leads us in.

Thanks for your thoughts and God Bless,
graceforme

[LivingbyFaith]

The greatest need for the fleshly,non-believer is their realization of their sinful nature and to understand what that means for eternity,and their need for Jesus as their Saviour.
The people in that church may be concerned that the church,if it starts a coffee shop may continue going down the path of being seeker sensitive.
I personaly don't feel right about any kind of shop or store being in the church building.
Church meetings being used to attract non-Christians isn't found in scripture,in fact,the church at Jerusalem was so holy and God-fearing that nobody dared to join it(Acts 5:11).
We aren't even supposed to be the ones who draw the people,it's Jesus and the Holy Spirit,through the gospel.
Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;to the Jew first,and also to the Greek."

[firstoftwelve]

Our coffee shop makes no profit. It's mostly a service to the church itself, rather than being seeker sensitive. They even sell any books/music/software at a reduced price than what they for them, just to be a blessing to the church attendees.

[Just Dave]

Your pastor and research committee should talk to other churches that have tried running a coffee house. My church tried it, and it didn't make it. If your church body doesn't buy into this idea, yours won't make it either. Personally I loved the cafe and spent a lot of time there. I hated when it closed. PM me if you'd like to contact someone from my church that can give you more details.

[funmudder]

We aren't even supposed to be the ones who draw the people,it's Jesus and the Holy Spirit,through the gospel.



Ohhhhhh good point!

[LivingbyFaith]

Ohhhhhh good point!

I have two children and my husband who don't yet know Jesus & I used to feel guilty that there was something that I wasn't doing right or that I wasn't a good enough witness for Jesus,and I remember reading in the Bible that it isn't even our responsibility to get people saved,all Jesus asks of us is to spread the gospel and to draw near to Him so that we can be good witnesses for the Truth and for Him. I felt such a huge burden leave me when this sunk in!
That's what I don't understand about all this seeker sensitive stuff-the pure,whole gospel is still plenty capable of saving lost souls,and it's really the job of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to draw those souls and to convict them and to win them,not man's.
I feel a burden for pastors these days,they are being told by the world that it's all about numbers and fame and filling up the pews,and alot of them are falling into this lie,if only they could realize that it's just their job to proclaim and teach the Truth and be shephards over the flock that God brings to them-they could then be free from the burdens that the world is trying to feed them and do their jobs so much better . They don't have to go out and "win" people to Christ,all they have to do is teach the fullness of the gospel!!!