Coffee Ministry

Hey guys, I have a question for you all. Our church is making some plans for a new coffee ministry. Essentially, we would like to set up a coffee bar with a seating area to encourage visitors to stay and talk with our members after the service and also to try and get non-churched parents to stick around when they drop their kids of for mid-week programs. I was wondering if anyone here has experience in something like this (either the ministry side or the technical side). We will probably be setting up a tank based espresso bar (likely used) as plumbing is an issue. Any experience or feedback?

[Mark Finley]

Interesting idea, if you have a traditional sunday morning service, it might be hard to get people to stick around unless you offer them at least a light lunch.

we have a "coffee bar" here at mtop... it is pretty basic, with free coffee and doughnuts on sunday mornings, and pay for hot chocolate...then on wendesday nights we have people pay for coffee and hot chocolate...no donuts.

We were going to have an "espresso bar" and fountain drinks, but we found out we would have to be inspected by the state for food inspections, etc. And we would have to conform to the standards by having a sink close by, rip up the carpets, change the ceiling tile over the bar.
I was not on the team that went into all this, and i'm not sure what the line is in what we do now, not having to be inspected, vs. the espresso bar and being inspected.

The coffee on Sunday mornings is donated by a Starbucks in the local mall here, and we pruchase the donuts at a reduced rate, but still give them away for free. We feel it's just part of our welcoming atmosphere for guests, to have this available on sunday mornings.

Bottom line is, check with the state before you do anything. The "do now, and ask for forgiveness later" mentality does not work well with the state, and it will help keep your visitors healthy. I guess getting a visitor sick on some bad espresso wouldn't make it more likely for them to return?

[Charlie Brown]

We also have a coffee bar. My wife is the one who runs it. Ours is all coffee that you have to buy, except for new people. We have a full espresso machine and do all of the specialty coffees. It does help encourage people to stay longer after the service. One thing I notice is that it actually makes it harder to start on time though. People grab a coffee when they arrive, and because we don't allow it in the sanctuary, they end up drinking it in the hallway while church is starting. We now close it like 10 minutes before the service to help combat this.

just a note, we will comply fully with all health regulations. We already are a licensed food preparation facility and we will make sure that any additions are legal

[KeithM]

Originally Posted by colombianbrew

just a note, we will comply fully with all health regulations. We already are a licensed food preparation facility and we will make sure that any additions are legal

Even if they aren't doing it now, more and more health departments (state, county, municipal, whoever) are holding church food service facilities to the same standards as restaurants... especially if you are serving coffee, food or whatever to the general public. Anyone starting in this type of ministry would be well advised to do things right from the start; not only in the legalities of it but also in using commercial grade equipment whenever possible. It is more expensive from the beginning but worth the investment.

columbianbrew - for the technical side of things, you might try contacting Canterbury Coffee in Richmond, BC. Their VP of Sales, Eric Lightheart, used to attend South Delta Baptist in Tsawwassen. He might be of assistance in helping you get started. Their contact page is here:

http://www.canterburycoffee.com/contact_form.html

Originally Posted by km_mcrc

columbianbrew - for the technical side of things, you might try contacting Canterbury Coffee in Richmond, BC. Their VP of Sales, Eric Lightheart, used to attend South Delta Baptist in Tsawwassen. He might be of assistance in helping you get started. Their contact page is here:

http://www.canterburycoffee.com/contact_form.html

Interesting note about about Canterbury, we are actually dealing with them right now, didn't know about their VP though

[kerwin kanago]

Our Mens Bible study is thinking of taking over our coffee stands and expanding them into fancier stuff, with lattes, etc.

The name of the new ministry? HEBREWS

[nathandiehl]

All i have to say is please, if you're offering coffee, don't brew the cheap stuff! Nothing tastes worse than a cup of folgers or maxwell house (well, perhaps sams club tastes worse).
We went to a local roaster, and they allowed us to sign up as a wholesaler, so we purchase our beans at 50% off retail (retailing at $12.60 - $18.80 /lb).
talk about a difference!

[kac4him]

one thing to consider is what type of floor covering do you have if carpet have one of those small carpet shampooer's near buy and handy nothing will get the church leadership to kill the coffee house ideal fast then a bunch of coffee stains of the floor.

and btw we have the free will offering plate it usually is enough to just cover expense of coffee and free crispey creamers (ok they a day old left over from the local collages coffee house on saturday )

[Karen Anderson]

Originally Posted by kac4Him

free crispey creamers (ok they a day old left over from the local collages coffee house on saturday )

Ewwwww! day old Krispy Kremes? Fresh is the only way to go!

[kac4him]

Originally Posted by Karen Anderson

Ewwwww! day old Krispy Kremes? Fresh is the only way to go!

.
well in new jersey we cant get fresh krispy kremes so most of us have no ideal what we really are missing

I just recently had the near heavenly experince and found out what the exciment of the freshed bake light was all about so its an experince ill have to treasure but even at day old they still are great and the price is just right FREE