The Key to Ministry is the Heart

by Sarah Bragg

I love coffee. More than that, I love Starbucks coffee. There is just something about it. Something different. Maybe it’s the aroma or the environment or the cup. When I was in seminary, I was asked to read Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, for my class on the church. Seemed kind of weird to be asked to read a book about coffee for a class about the church, but I ended up finding it fascinating.

Howard Schultz said, “A company can grow big without losing the passion and personality that built it, but only if it’s driven not by profits but by values and by people.” So much of what has made Starbucks a success in the business world is what I think makes the church successful. The church should be driven by its passion for people and the truth on which it was built. The key isheart. Schultz said, “I pour my heart into every cup of coffee and so do my partners at Starbucks.” The key is the heart with the church.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39).

I could go on and on with what I’ve learned about the church from this book about Starbucks, but I want you to read it. If you already have, what do you think about the church in light of this book?