what next after cafe church?

This Sunday I am going to be taking part in Cafechurch at Costa Coffee in Bluewater shopping centre. I am not telling you this by way of an advert or because of any particular sense of pride at having been asked to take part. I am mentioning it because it is an example of how churches are innovating for the sake of mission.

Church-like activities take place in a relaxed atmosphere and there is access to a regular flow of wonderfully tasting coffee. Those church-like activities include reflection, application, and exploration of how relevant God (and the Bible) is to today’s life. I’m all for this.

Perhaps following the ‘Cafechurch’ model we could have ‘petrol station church’ where as people fill up their petrol tank someone comes and prays for the safety in travel of that person and offers some biblical reflection on corporate profits and taxes. I know that in some places there is ‘supermarket church’ where Christians gather in a suitable space at a local supermarket (with permission) and conduct a short, relevant service for those who are shopping on Sundays. There is a small group from our church who meet in a pub and hold a different form of church alongside our Sunday morning services. How about ‘football church’ where new, humorous and non-abusive chants are created and reflections are given on eternal hope and optimism at the local football club. What about ‘science church’ (not to be confused with Scientology) where the latest scientific discoveries are discussed and affirmed in the context of how that contributes to our understanding of God’s world?

Please do not be offended by what I have suggested. I am not attempting to be disparaging in any way. It was a crude attempt at humour (in case you hadn’t realised). We have run Cafechurch in Colchester. I do think that we need to be imagining and creating new models of church and new ways of being church. But before we get too carried away with our God-inspired imagination I would like to offer two brief reflections.

I do not consider that ‘old expressions of church’ are obsolete or necessarily dying. Sometimes the new forms of church are called “fresh expressions” which is a good name but perhaps suggests that existing church might be “stale expressions”. I do not think this is necessarily so. While in this country there is still a residual, vestigial Christian awareness there is a place for churches that have the air of familiarity about them for those who are looking to reconnect or perhaps connect in what they deem to be a familiar way with Jesus through his church. That does not mean we cannot be adaptable, accessible, engaging or relevant. In our desire to explore new ways of being church we need to be careful that we do not throw the baby out with the baptismal water (which, as a mixed metaphor by a believer’s baptist, might be the strangest mixed metaphor you will ever read). There is much that ‘old expressions of church’ need to learn from newer forms of church but I don’t think God has finished with our current model completely just yet.

And the second reflection? We are all called to be doing the sorts of things I mentioned in my allegedly humorous paragraph above. We need to learn or gain the courage to express our faith in all contexts. We need to be willing to engage with people where they are and how they are with the good news of Jesus. We do this best by engaging in discussion and demonstrating the relevance of our faith rather than being disparaging or disengaging. now that’s a fresh expression!

I look forward to hearing about ‘where I work church’ soon.

Be blessed, be a blessing.

A bloke was recently hired at an office. His first task, as the new guy, was to go out for coffee. Eager to do well his first day on the job, he grabbed a large thermos and hurried to a nearby coffee shop.

He held up the thermos and the coffee shop worker quickly came over to take the order. He asked, “Is this big enough to hold six cups of coffee?”

The coffee shop worker looked at the thermos, hesitated a few seconds, then finally replied, “Yeah. It looks like about six cups to me.”

“Oh good!” the bloke sighed in relief. “Then give me two regular, two black, and two decaf.”