Lots of newspapers, muffins, coffee, cafe tables. Open for about 2 hours on a Sunday am. Emergent kiwi Steve wants to start a cafe church. Justin Beader from Seattle comments on this idea. And Andrew Jones, who just moved his extensive family from Prague to London, where the first thing he did was find an internet cafe where he could blog, also has some good advice:
1. Go WiFi. Give people the option of surfing the net wirelessly during the event. You might want to think about what you want them to look at or track online that will enhance the theme.
2. Preaching is awkward. Open mike is better. Have lots of people give short stories, poems, readings, whatever. 5 minute limit.
3. Coffee shop dynamics and aesthetics mean that people can look if they want but they don’t have to. You have to win their attention. Don’t force everyone to give attention.
4. Obviously people will be getting their coffee and tea during the event. Make it easy for them to get it anytime without interrupting anything.
5. If you use an open mike, anyone is allowed to share. You will have non-Christians get up and read their poetry or thoughts as well, so be prepared for that. It sometimes helps to have a host who can guide the event and then have the final word.
6. Music. I would go for either a DJ who can create a relaxing background soundscape, or I would go for a guitarist who may lead some accoustic songs from a stool. No more than 2 or 3 musicians. Less is more. Don’t put a band up there - overkill!
7. If people are sitting around at tables, which I assume they are, you can create some exercises or table-based discussions that get them interacting and contributing.
A nice example of a pub church is BarNone in Cardiff, Wales.
Great to read - we are doing something very similar in North London. Meeting in a local pub twice monthly with a group of about 40 people aged 20 to 30 something!
Posted by: ************* | February 05, 2004 at 18:14
we've started a cafe gathering, ours though is more geared with music for people in thier 20's. We also have created an outreach expression called AYA (Abandon Your Apathy). We feel that we want to express Jesus's heart outside the walls of the cafe and serve the community. So we're aware of many needs and try to meet those needs.
Posted by: Rafee Jajou | February 05, 2004 at 19:59