Exploding the myths about café church
21 May 2007
In the latest edition of the Encounters on the Edge series of booklets, George Lings, director of Church Army's Research Unit, explodes some of the myths that exist about café church.
There is no arguing that cafés have become increasingly popular in recent years, with the rise of chains such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee. As George writes, "…the English have gone beyond drinking their coffee indoors in private. Now all our towns have spots with chairs, little tables on the pavements and people wrapped in their coats pretending they live in Paris, Rome or Madrid."
With this in mind, many churches are turning to café when tasked with developing a fresh expression. This edition of Encounters on the Edge, called Café Church 1: Café, croissants and Christ? – looks in detail at two such experiments: Soul Café in Derby and The Well in Sheffield.
George then challenges some of the myths that exist about café church, such as:
- There is one thing called café church (not true: café church is deceptively diverse)
- Café church is a magic solution (not true: one form of fresh expression of church cannot cover the spread of what may be needed)
- Café church can do all things needed to make Christian disciples from non- and de-churched people (not true: George's research shows that it is only one vital part of a larger process).
If you are interested in the phenomenon of café church, run one yourself or are interested in starting one up, Encounters on the Edge 33 is a must-read.
And the story does not stop there. Soon to come is Encounters on the Edge 34 – Café Church 2 – which will look at the issues around churches renting secular premises and starting cafes in order to serve/build community and provide a way in for evangelism.
Encounters on the edge 33, Café Church 1, is now available and is priced £4.00. To order copies, contact the Sheffield Centre on 0114 272 7451, or email ask@sheffieldcentre.org.uk
For more information on Encounters on the edge, see www.encountersontheedge.org.uk
