Starbuckization of society?
Starbucks is changing what we eat and drink. It's altering where and when we work and play. It's shaping how we spend time and money. That's just for appetizers. Starbucks has an even glitzier goal: to help rewrite society's pop culture menu. The company that sells 4 million coffee drinks daily in the USA is hot to extend its brand beyond the espresso machine to influence the films we see, CDs we hear and books we read. In the process, it aims to grow into a global empire rivaling McDonald's. Read about it here.
Now, I admit, I love Starbucks. I go to meet people and start conversations that often lead me to sharing my faith with others. While Starbucks is just getting into the pop culture business, it has already touched us all by:
- Changing what we'll pay for coffee.
- Changing coffee tastes.
- Changing what we eat.
- Changing how we order.
- Changing how people meet.
- Changing cities.
- Changing social consciousness.
When I read this list I thought--Why is the church not doing this? Why aren't we changing the way people are using their money? Why aren't we changing their tastes? Why aren't we changing the way people meet? Why aren't we changing cities? Why aren't we changing social conciousness? That is my prayer for my church! I pray we can change our community for Jesus. What do you think?
posted by Kevin Bussey at 5/30/2006 09:33:00 AM
5 Comments:
You forgot one other thing Starbucks has changed: What we call "Large" "Medium" and "Small".
What on earth is wrong with these time -tested, and actually DESCRIPTIVE terms? What?!? Anyone?
Kevin,
I think you mentioned one of the key elements: prayer!!! Ever wonder what God might do in your city if a small group of pastors got together and humbly prayed for revival? It has happened before and it surely can happen again.
A couple more things that I believe are key to seeing this change:
The power of the Holy SPirit. The New Testament church relied on this. I'm more convinced than ever that if we are to see change it will be because the Spirit swept through in a mighty way.
Also the preaching of the Word. Read the account of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37. What brought life back to the dry bones? It was the proclamation of God's word.
Kevin, I'm with you. I keep reminding myself that the Gospel still works. Change can come!!!
Kevin,
I'm a firm believer that we get what we are designed to get. If we are not getting life-changing, community-changing results it is because what we are doing is not designed for that.
That means we must change what we are doing.
I think we are not changing our communities, because most churches are not making disciples. We mistakenly believe the Great Commission is simply to baptize as many as possible.
Good Point CW!
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