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February 7, 2006
Cup Holders in Church
(Filed under: Building Design)It seems like everybody likes to rag on mega-churches, but I don't always get it. Often they're just making smart decisions. Take Eagle Brook, the largest church in Minnesota with a weekly attendance of 8,000. Their new building will feature cup holders, an amenity that will throw some into apocalyptic panic, but the rationale seems solid to me:
But church leaders figured it was difficult to stand, sit or praise the Lord with your hands in the air while worrying about dumping a hot latte onto fellow Christians. So they decided to add cup holders — anything to boost their reputation for putting people at ease.
It's all the reporter's lingo (assuming the person next to you is a Christian), but the rationale reminds me of last week's poll: It's only important in that it isn't a distraction (which 71% agreed with). A cup holder means you're not distracted by worrying about an overturned drink. And why even have a drink in church? A drink parches my thirst (or feeds my caffeine craving) and lets me focus on something more important. Is that really the tragedy some claim it is? I don't think so.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at February 7, 2006 7:48 AM
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Comments
Here in the Cincinnati area, there is a huge church called Crossroads. It has cup holders in its new auditorium. When I visited a few weeks ago, I was pleased to see that not only do they serve a great cup of coffee at Crossroads, but they also have a "convevience store style" soda fountain. All of these are offered for free and it made for a great time during the service. It was not distracting or disruptive, but added to the laid back feel.
Posted by: Michael Box at February 7, 2006 12:21 PM
Those sure are Big cup holders for communion. Think of all the wine you could drink ....
Posted by: Gman at February 7, 2006 12:46 PM
I know of a church that just uses cup holders in the first few rows. Most people want the cupholder convenience but the church wants them front and center to foster a more participatory worship experience.
Posted by: corey at February 7, 2006 1:28 PM
I have no problem with cup holders or drinks in the sanctuary. Mmmm. convenience store style soda fountain! (sounds of lips smacking). Our church has cup holders in the pews, but they are for the shot glass communion cups we use to celebrate Eucharist!
Posted by: thesecretllama at February 7, 2006 2:14 PM
It's really ridiculous what people will use to put down the church.
Cupholders in church are a great idea. Being on staff, I'd rather pick empties out of cupholders than pick up spilled, half-full cups from under the seats.
Posted by: Betsy at February 7, 2006 2:50 PM
I'm all for it. One of our church "old-timers" would like to do away with coffee all together in the sanctuary, but he's in the minority.
Posted by: Rick at February 7, 2006 7:22 PM
I am so sending this to our pastor...we don't allow drinks in the sanctuary. And yet, I find myself thirsty when he takes a drink during the sermon...hope he doesn't get caught with that drink. :)
Posted by: Michael at February 8, 2006 8:28 AM
Anything that makes people feel less like they're in parochial school and more like a family meeting, I'm all for it.
Plus, nothing gets an usher's feathers ruffled more than a spill on the carpet. I've seen it, it gets ugly.
Posted by: charlie at March 24, 2006 8:42 AM
any other ideas for how church's use facilities for connecting with the community?
Posted by: Carl McLendon at May 9, 2006 2:11 PM
This is so shameful. I have no problem with my people having bottled water in service. If people can't spend an hour and a half without a cup of coffee there is something dreadfully wrong. We are so focused on making church "comfortable". I thought church was about the Lord. I am there to worship Him. The coffee can wait!
Posted by: pastorericp at August 26, 2006 5:14 PM
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