Concept to Completion: Creating a Starbucks Alternative in Your Church

When first asked to join our church’s building team committee, my first thought was “I don’t know what I could contribute to this project ... I wonder why they are asking me?” I had always served at our church in more relational ministries, and this – a construction project – was much different. So, when God called me to participate in this, I answered the call and quickly found myself learning about things like conceptual design, schematics and blue prints.

Our church hired a design-build firm to work with the Building Team Committee to renovate and create new ministry space. A list of the high needs for ministry were generated from a lengthy feasibility study and included on that list was a café. For almost a year, we worked with the design-build company to develop the floor plan for our project. No matter what changes were made, a café space was always included somewhere on the plans.

As subcommittees were formed to address specific ministry areas, I felt comfortable volunteering to oversee the design for a new kitchen. I understand kitchens – how they are used within the church and the type of equipment needed to function well. It was easy to find a team of qualified church members who could offer valuable input and resources for the kitchen project. A new committee was formed and we were on our way to creating a great kitchen space.

Then, when some unforeseen circumstances changed our building plans, a new floor plan was created, putting the kitchen project on hold. The new plan included a great space for a fabulous café adjacent to a new large multi-purpose atrium. Our team was excited, our church was excited and our project was underway.

Almost as an afterthought, the need for someone to oversee acquiring equipment for the café arose. Thinking that this task wouldn’t be that much different than looking for kitchen equipment, I offered to do the research and see what we would need. I began by reviewing the initial results of our church’s feasibility study. The description was vague and did not provide a clear description of how this space would be used as a functioning ministry within the church.

The next logical step was to take some field trips and visit other churches cafés. Each field trip required a full morning to travel to the location, tour the facility and ask questions: Where did you get your equipment? When is your café open? What’s on your menu? What other equipment do you recommend? How much did it cost? Who runs it?