Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Local Churches
| Written by Sadiri Joy Tira |
| Thursday, 20 August 2009 07:30 |
|
As an amateur anthropologist, I want to write about what I have observed about Coca-Cola, Starbucks and some local churches. But before I go further, I want to make it clear that I am not advertizing Coca-Cola and Starbucks products, but am simply making a few comments about these beverages and their outlets. Also, I am not offering a business analysis, because I am not an economist but simply a consumer who enjoys Coke and Starbucks! If I ever pastor a local church again I would intentionally start as many church-sites; more than the Starbucks outlets in our neighbourhood. I would open the church doors long hours for community use and not for only for the Sunday elites. I would model hospitality. By God’s grace and in the power of the Holy Spirit, I would embrace all people --- yellow, black, and white; poor, rich, the not so rich and not so poor; the educated and less educated; the young and old; local born and foreign born; and yes folks with disabilities could take my parking spot any time! I would preach the whole Gospel, and would lead my congregation to help reach the whole World --- together we would offer THE LIVING WATER. Free of charge! I would strive to be a pastor who would inspire the congregation to be GLOCAL i.e. doing Kingdom work globally and locally simultaneously. |
I was a young boy when I started drinking Coca-Cola. Believe me, even in our secluded, small town in the Philippines, where I was born and raised, there were stores selling Coca-Cola products. So, for years Coca-Cola beverages was part of my regular diet until my medical doctors declared that I was diabetic! I stopped drinking coke about six years ago in obedience to my doctors! However, I am still a great fan of Coca-Cola products. I collect Coca-Cola cans and bottles; I just got a can from Iceland. You should come to my house (basement) and I will show you all kinds of bottles and cans from all over the world --- some with Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese inscriptions! I used to display my collections in my church office -- trying to draw the attention of my parishioners who would peek into my study. One day, a deacon asked: “Pastor, why do you collect all these Coke cans and bottles?” My answer was: “I like Coca-Cola’s vision for the world!” [And] “What is their vision, Pastor?” he inquired. I pointed to an article that I had framed and hung on the wall beside an article from Canada’s leading newspaper, The Globe and Mail. Moving closer to the wall, he exclaimed: “Really!” “Wow!” He read out loud: “Coca-Cola wants every human being [6 Billion] to drink a bottle [beverage] in their life time.” He left the room shaking his head saying: “They conquered the world with bottles not bullets!” I yelled: “Yes and No, their product got there before missionaries arrived and they have stores before churches even existed!” 
Currently, I live in "the most multi-cultural city of the world" --- TORONTO. In our neighbourhood, there are five Starbucks outlets. Our community demographics suggest that we are mostly young families, yuppies, condo-dwellers and caffeine addicts. It is a diverse community --- gender, social, economic, educational, racial, cultural, and language diversity is displayed by way the people talk, their attire, cars, and of course their hair and skin-colors. The world has come to my condo doorsteps – I no longer live in a so called “global village” but in a “global neighbourhood.”
Forgive me ahead of time because I have some harsh words and despairing observations to write about some of the local churches in my neighbourhood. First, there is this church building that I can’t avoid on my way to Starbucks. This huge building is always closed! The only time it is open is when the congregation meets for “Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7-8 P.M.” and “Sunday School 9-10:30; Worship Service 11:00.” There is another church building a block away with a huge sign on their lawn and parking lot: “No Trespassing” and “RESERVE PARKING 24 Hours for Senior Pastor Only.” Speaking about closed doors and hospitable congregations? We have two of them right here! Still another church building that is not too far from the first two already mentioned is about 100 years old. I drove by one Sunday morning and saw very few people; there were more pigeons on the roof than people in the gathered congregation. This local church has become a mere monument and has totally become irrelevant. Every time I see these buildings, my blood pressure goes up and I lament! I am very sure that my high blood pressure does not come from Starbucks.
Comments
JBT
JBT
Sandy Isfeld
Lead Pastor of Mission & Culture
Airdrie Alliance Church
Owen Bayne (pastor)
Mill View Alliance Church
Edmonton, Alberta
BTW, I miss Alberta a lot!
JBT
Dear Brother and sister in christ.
I do hope you will be fine there and everything is going well with you .dear brother i write you message about our PGF ministry church ,Since 1986 our Pakistan Gospel Fellowship ministry doing working for Jesus in Pakistan .We are doing working for Youth , womens , orphan kids, non christian , tent families etc Dear brother we want partnership with you and we want you will come to Pakistan and do visit to us and our work .I wish please you will do visit our Church too .and also you will praying for our PGF ministry and Pakistani peoples too . And I hope you will join hand with us , I shall be very thankful too .
God bless you always '
Abida Sam Khokhar
Yes, many people are praying for Pakistan and the Pakistani people scattered all over the world. Thank you for sharing your work and for providing your contact info. I will contact you in the near future.
Best regards.
JBT
Joy
JBT
They will know my disciples by thier love for one another... who the one another ? who is our nieghbor ? does He not speak about reaching out to the least of them ? This is great insight in your article.... As a surf and skate board evangelist and church planter... the people today want to see the gospel , taste it feel it then they may listen to the Truth of Christ as we package it in love.
Buck Waters
Portugal
PRESS ON!
JBT
"What if Starbucks Marketed like a church?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_dZTrjw9I
Andrew
www.the-roths.weebly.com
JBT
Thanks for such an inspiring message