Diary of a Young Pastor

A couple of weeks ago I was introduced to National Community Church and I have been very interested in their “model”. They meet in four locations around the DC area, 3 of which are in theaters — yes, movie theaters. This has fascinated me! I think it is a great model for the same reason that the pastor (Mark Batterson) does - people may be uncomfortable coming to a church building - it’s not something in their comfort zone. But a theater? I’ve been there - how strange can it be?

The fourth location is one that is my “dream church”. It’s called “Ebenezers“. It is a coffee house. I guess I’m not the only one with this idea! In Mark’s sermon last week, he answered the question, “Why a coffee house?” The answer: because it is the post modern gathering place. In Christ’s day, people hung around the wells where they drew water - it was more than just a place to quench your physical thirst - it was a gathering place that quenched a “social” thirst.

About half a year ago, I began to think and pray about this very model. I began to wonder if that model would work in the culture of Morganton, NC. I mentally plotted locations and even “business models”. The idea excites me - it is where I would want to be as a worshiper.

Could a church of 40 ever have a coffee shop?