13. When people could not properly identify a smell or taste, the barista/leader would guide them through the process.
14. When it came time for the actual tasting, the barista said, “If you over think, you’ll choke.” To those who are unchurched, we simply need them to enjoy the service, take away one big idea and, most importantly, come back the next week.
15. Coffee has an aftertaste. We were also told that the coffees taste better when things cool down. I wonder what the unchurched say about our services two days after things cool down.
16. The enthusiasm of experienced coffee drinkers comes off as weird to us with no coffee background.
17. The biggest selling coffee to the general public was the least popular among coffee enthusiasts. There is MAJOR application here to church leaders.
18. Coffee enthusiasts, who represent a missional community, made fun of the mainstream Starbucks and Brazilian coffee beans.
19. We were told espresso is a machine, not a coffee. Therefore, this business dropped the name “espresso” from all their brands, thus increasing overall sales. It may be time to drop all denominational names.
20. To both the coffee enthusiasts as well as those with no coffee background, everyone wanted sustainability in their products. Everyone wants something that lasts and matters.
21. Passion can be a detractor. To those with no coffee background, I do not want a 30 minute discussion on the difference between a Brazilian bean and a Peruvian bean. Just give me the coffee.
And now the BIG TWO learnings every pastor and church leader should take away:
22. The barista said, “How you get the seed determines the taste.” Pastors and church leaders, anything you provide to those with no church background will have a bitter taste if it does not have a Biblical foundation. It is the Word of God that changes a human life.
23. As a person with no coffee background, I was giving coffee just one chance. I could not tell the difference between any of the coffees. I could not smell anything that wasn’t strong. And most importantly, I did not like the taste. I am going back to my cold drinks.
It frightens me, but also gives me an incredible sense of urgency knowing that next Sunday there will be thousands of people with no church background who are going to give church just one chance. I wonder if they will come back next week or return to their current lifestyle.
Your thoughts?
