Ministry Insights from Coffee Shops

I have been on a tour for close to 4 years out of 5+ years of living in the suburbs of Chicago. It is a “coffee tour”.  In just under 4 years, I have visited 98 local coffee shops in the suburbs of Chicago.  After many friends asked, I even created an Instagram page to share my tour, the Chicago Burbs Coffee Tour. 

It is a cheap hobby and gives me a variety of Third Places to work from when I need to get out of the house or office.  I have also learned a lot watching and observing, not just about coffee but also about Hospitality, Care, and Connection.

Walk into a good locally-owned coffee shop and you’ll notice something: it feels different. The space is intentional, the people are known, and every detail—from the music to the mug—tells a story.

What if the local church operated with that same level of care and creativity? 

Here are 10 things I have learned in my almost 4-year tour of close to 100 local coffee shops in the Chicago Suburbs that can apply to church and ministry. 

10. Atmosphere Shapes Experience

A coffee shop obsesses over vibe—music, lighting, seating. Churches should craft spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and alive with hospitality.

9. Names Matter

Baristas remember the names and favorite drinks of the regulars. Churches thrive when faithful members are known personally, not just counted.

8. Curate the Menu

Coffee shops don’t serve everything—they curate. Churches don’t need to run endless programs; focus on the ministries that truly serve the mission, vision, and values.

7. Hospitality as Ministry

Every latte comes with a smile and sometimes latte art. In church, hospitality and a welcome should feel personal & thoughtful, not transactional.

6. Tell the Story Behind the Beans

Hipster shops brag about sourcing. Churches should highlight God’s bigger story—how faith connects us to something greater than ourselves.

5. Slow Brew > Fast Fixes

Good coffee takes time; discipleship does too. Churches should embrace long-term transformation, not just quick wins.

4. Be the Third Place (read past post) 

Coffee shops are community hubs, not just caffeine stops. Churches should be the same—safe, relational spaces beyond home and work.

3. Quality Over Quantity

One excellent pour-over beats ten mediocre pots. One deep, intentional ministry effort beats a calendar crammed with half-baked programs.

2. Trend-Savvy but True to Core

Seasonal lattes keep things fresh, but the basics never change. Churches can innovate methods while staying grounded in the timeless, unchanging truth of God’s Word.

1. Make it Shareable

Latte art begs for Instagram. Churches can create moments—celebrations, testimonies, acts of service—people want to share with joy with others… in-person, online, and elsewhere.