I spent Tuesday morning at Ground Level Cafe in Naperville, a part of CCC. I had some great conversations with Lee Messersmith, their facilities manager, on the role and function of the coffeehouse in a church context, the role of design and branding, and how environment impacts upon experience.
We talked about how people get behind something thats missional – it’s about so much more than the coffee, though great coffee is important. We talked about the concept of the ‘third place’ and what it is in our cultures. We talked about how form follows function, and the need to tell a story visually. We talked about facilitating a worship service in a coffeehouse. We talked about the duality of a coffeehouse and the need for both business and ministry plans.
Lee shared this quote with me, unfortunately I can’t remember which book it is from, but I’ll find out. Think it says it all…
“You are not who you say you are. You are who your community say you are.”
CCC have some excellent stuff going on, including a School for the Arts which caught my attention. I read Dave Ferguson’s (lead pastor) book yesterday while at the airport/on my flight. He has some great thoughts on the need for complete clarity and for simplicity in presenting one idea at a time. I’ll blog some from the book, The Big Idea, tomorrow.
check this out: http://www.wreckedfortheordinary.com/category.asp?category=arts&filename=wasteful-love
“Is there room for art when people need food and medicine and shelter? I think there is, and I think the hungry and sick and homeless are at the top of the list of people who need beauty the most.” interesting basis for a mission statement? how do you define ‘hungry and sick’?
sounds like you’re having a great time out there, looking forward to catching up when you’re home!
hey…you’re fully getting around these days girl!! :o) nice work! hope your life is as positive as ever….i love you loads…big hug :o) xx
@ reuben: I just read that article yesterday, it’s a great piece, and I wholly agree with that art and beauty have an important role and function in society, even (perhaps especially) among the poor. that particular conversation with Lee felt like a critical one for the coffeeshop vision! we def need to hang out asap when i get back. I’ll come cook for you, i promise!
@ sarah: indeed, i seem to be doing a lot of traveling… it’s nice! travel is most definitely spiritual for me. i miss you, i’d love to see you soon… i need to come back to NI to do some fundraising soon, can you make some time for me when i come back? it’ll prob be late mar/early april.
Emmsy, sorry I missed your visit to the “Yellow Box”. I hope you enjoyed your visit and The Big Idea. Maybe next time. Dave Ferguson
sounds cool… i just read that article (right now! can you tell i’m procrastinating in the library?) and its cool.. combing the arts and the forgotten in society- my two favourite things…
perhaps i should go and do some work now…. tht’ll make me more effective doing arts stuff.. hmm.. a conundrum.
@ Dave: No problem at all, I had a very productive and enlightening morning with Lee! Next time for sure.
@ Suz: It is a great article, some of my favourite things too… creativity, marginalized people, and coffee 🙂 You should go do some work though!