City Bible gets a Roommate
Posted on April 16th, 2008 by catalyst into the Christian Pop Culture categoryA reader commented that City Bible is getting a Starbucks:
Just found out cbc is putting in a starbucks in the church lobby. They are moving the reception area and book store. It will be located there.
Initially, I thought this was a joke. But I checked to see if other churches have Starbucks in their lobby. (City Bible rarely has an original thought.) And I stumbled across an article discussing Christianity in American, which included this paragrph:
The megachurches thus become part church, part shopping mall and part country club. One in Tacoma, Washington, even has its own Starbucks. Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston has a McDonald's on its 111 acres.
So I guess it's true. City Bible is getting a Starbucks. Here's my question. Why Starbucks? Why eliminate your own home-grown coffee shop to make room for a Starbucks. Will this really increase revenue? Will they advertise outside the church? How does this benefit City Bible?
My guess is that Starbucks will rent out the space in the church. I think City Bible is struggling to pay the mortgage and rent on all of its properties. And I bet they need the rent money to make their monthly mortgage payment. It's a lot like someone buying a home they can't really afford and then getting a roomate to pay the bills.
But that's just my guess. Why do you guys think they're doing it?
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April 16th, 2008 at 7:51 am
You nailed it. They need Starbucks…either that or Pastor Hank was tired of telling his interns to go back and try again.
You can teach an intern to worship you…but if they can’t make a good cup of coffee what good is it?
April 16th, 2008 at 8:14 am
One word:
“Prestige”
Imho, having a starbucks in your church means you think you’ve made it to the big time. An on-campus rolls-royce dealership is coming next.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:30 am
You hit one nail on the head: City Bible is a “me too” church. Everthing they see other churches doing they have to do too. It’s like keeping up with the Rev. Joneses. They have a “me too” youth group, and a “me too” just about everything else. If I could sum up my CBC experience in two words those would be those.
Second, we sound uninformed when we say that CBC has three mortgages. They have two mortgages (East and 217 campus) and one lease option (Vancouver Campus). Of course they may own other properties I don’t know about, but I think these are the three that were just referred to in the lead paragraph.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Thanks for the clarification. I’ll be sure to update the blog.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Great, now what will they do with the Interns if they don’t need them running to Starbucks to get coffee for a pastor every 15 minutes?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:02 am
JP, you should apply for a part-time job at that specific Starbucks. Tell them, you’ll work nights, weekends, whatever it takes. I promise you I would visit every day I’m in town.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I knew it was just a matter of time. They’ve been planning this since they painted the domes latte colored.
On a more serious note: I always thought the presence of God was enough to draw people to church. I guess now the aroma of coffee is needed … ???
April 16th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
You are 100% sure they are doing this or just strong rumor??
April 16th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Just going off of what was written on the internet. What!!?? There’s something wrong with that!
April 16th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Knowing Starbuck’s they’ll probably open a second shop in the grande dome to capture the sales lost by the Starbuck’s in the venti dome.
April 16th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Doesn’t anyone out there drink Tully’s coffee, anymore? I always thought Starbucks was bitter and too darn hot!
What about Seattle’s Best? Both are better than Starbucks … or perhaps all those communion wafers I consumed attending ‘high church’ have burnt out my tastebuds …
April 17th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Oh yeah.
-joe
April 17th, 2008 at 6:02 am
OK, since this seems to be more than just a rumor (although I’m still very skeptical), I’d like to ask a serious question.
How does a 503c non-profit get permission to allow a for-profit business to operate on its premises? It seems like a legal violation to me, but I’m no lawyer.
I’ve been told that the CBC lobby still needs carpet, so maybe this is how they get it done? I foresee earthy brown tones in their future, and a giant logo on the side of the domes. Also, maybe people will be able to stay awake during Frank’s 18 sermons on how to live a miracle life. Now that would be a miracle.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
WHAT THERE’S A CHURCH IN TACOMA WITH A STARBUCKS IN IT!?? I’m in Tacoma. Why have I not been there????
Hm. I was considering applying at a Starbucks in portland over this summer for a summer job.. now that there’s going to be one in CBC.. how much fun and how funny that would be working there… that.. now I want to work at THAT one.
I just had so many ideas that would provide so many laughs (at least for myself) if I worked there.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Ok guys, can this be verified or is this a rumor? There’s nothing wrong in expressing our thoughts but rumors and gossip are not cool. This sounds too crazy to me, I’m going to assume it’s a wild rumor unless I get the details.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:05 am
From the Starbucks FAQ:
State run colleges and universities are tax-exempt … and have limited hours of operation compared to a dedicated retail location.
There’s a small Starbuck’s leasing the cafe space at the Target store out here … Wally World has leased their cafe space as well - it’s been through a couple of tenants in the last 5 years - Quizno’s made it for a year before folding … I think it was a Dunkin’ Donuts before that … presently it’s vacant.
Like FICM, I have trouble with the tax-exempt status thing … seems like the church would be better off to set up their own shop and use Starbucks products …
April 18th, 2008 at 7:21 am
503c status? Since when have they been worried about that? I’ve heard for years that FD has used CBC employees to help edit and write his books, for which he then sells for a profit. That means he is collecting a personal profit of off what should be non-profit employees. This would be the type of direct 503c violation that is getting those other ministries in hot water with Sen Grassley. I can’t verify this, but I’ve heard for years that Cheryl Bolton has edited numerous books for him and then he personally collects royalties through one of his own corporations. They may have some way around this, they’re pretty sneaky up there, but I guess my point is that the whole 503c thing doesn’t ever seem to slow them down from their greatest goal: MONEY!
April 18th, 2008 at 8:39 am
They would need to report the income separately and pay taxes on it. It isn’t a huge deal.
April 18th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I vote for Peet’s as the best. Down here in Southern California we also have Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and they ain’t so bad either. Starbucks is just awerful.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
It will never happen. Starbucks is closing stores not opening them. Plus Frank and Marc looked into opening a store 10yrs ago and Starbucks wouldn’t even talk to them. More than likely they will just start serving Starbucks coffee out of there coffee bars like they do on airplanes or in collage cafeterias.
City Bible is lame and always so late to the party.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:42 am
It is True. It will be run like a Safeway or Freddy’s Starbuck’s. CBC will hire and fire and they will be CBC employees. They will receive training from SB just to be authentic. They want to have it in before the spring conference, more revenue.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:47 am
I think it ironic that the church will be running a business with “bucks” in the name. Coincidence? Or sinister master plan?
I also imagine that CityBucks employees will be required to tithe to keep their jobs.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am
I wonder that there have been no objections to this partnership (if true) based on the simple grounds of the symbolism in the Starbucks logo. The original logo depicted a mermaid-siren that was a tad more graphic than the one depicted now, but the symbolism is much the same. That is, the allure of the coffee represents a temptation nearly impossible to resist. The intent of which is obvious to anyone with a caffeine addiction. What is not so surprising to me, is the coincidental symbolism of the church obsessed with money being unable to resist the siren of the cash cow business.
http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/brandautopsy/2005/06/the_evolution_o.html
I’m not one to put too much stock into spiritual imagery (I refused to pray to the rocks after all), but I find it surprising that a church that does buy strongly into spiritual symbolism would allow a pagan symbol that depicts carnal temptation to be placed on church premises.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:33 am
FICM, good point. This partnership will open City Bible up to a lot of questions.
Also, Starbucks cups contain quotes. And in the past the quotes have supported homosexuality and atheism. It will be interesting to see how City Bible responds to that.
Lastly, I think we are going to need an enterprising reader to take a photo of the Starbucks.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
OH I WILL WORK AT THAT STARBUCKS AND I WILL TAKE PICTURES OF IT.
I will have the time of my life.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:04 am
Starbucks is probably not opening a store in the church; what is happening is a licensed store would be opening up, like the ones in the airport or in Barnes & Nobles. The work force will be provided by someone other than Starbucks and the church will pay to utilize the name and products.
Since we are thinking of CBC and other megachurches more like businesses anyways, we might as well commend them on a good selection. Starbucks doesn’t offer quality coffee, but it offers speed, uniformity, and customization; perfect for a large busy organization. I worked for Starbucks for a couple years, but only because it is a great college job.
Support your local coffee shop! In Seattle we have excellent ones like Vivace, Vita, Victrola, and Laudro. I’ve heard that Portland has good coffee shops too. CBC and Frank are definitely not interested in the indie crowd.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
It makes sense to me that CBC would have a Starbucks in its lobby. It fits the image they’re going for and will generate more $$. Perfect.
Usually the quality of coffee at the Starbucks in Safeways, etc., is pretty poor. Starbucks is like McDonald’s, convenient and consistent, but unless you spring for the black label stuff, it’s not stellar. CTP, I’m with you, the local coffee shops tend to be much better. If you’re in Seattle, have you tried Cafe Darte? Amazing! We have it here in Portland, but it’s based in Seattle. My other personal local favorites are Stumptown (a delicious local chain) and Schondeckens (excellent, tiny Mom & Pop place in Sellwood).
May 12th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
You are overlooking the fact that Starbucks owns Seattle’s Best. Sorry to burst your bubble on that one.