What Starbucks has figured out.

How much?

This is often heard from someone desperately trying to understand why someone would spend so much money for coffee and the other wonderful liquid mixtures at Starbucks.  But, it’s not such a hard thing to figure out once you understand the message behind the price.

Does the coffee cost too much?  Of course!   But what are you paying for?  My guess is, not the coffee.  I think it’s more than that.  In fact, what Starbucks has figured out is quite interesting.  They have figured out something that lies deep within each person.  A desire to connect in relationship!

We all have a born desire to connect into relationships, and as a result, if we have to pay $5 for a triple-grande-extra hot-white mocha, so be it.  What they have discovered is that we all want to have relationships, a sense of community.

“At its core, it’s the intimacy of the relationship between our people and our customer.  And because they come so often, and there is a sense of community here, what’s going on here, is I think, a renewed level of human connection that we are all hungry for.” – Howard Shultz Starbucks Founder

This isn’t a plug for or against Starbucks, but rather awareness that it’s not the coffee, but the connection with others that has made Starbucks so successful.

The similarities to relational dynamics found in the Bible to the business plan of Starbucks is amazing.  In fact, Larry Crabb, author and small group expert puts it this way: “In the same way that our lungs require air, so our souls require what only community can provide. We were designed by our Trinitarian God to live in relationship. Without it we die. It’s really that simple. Without a community where we know and are known, where we explore, discover, and touch one another, we experience isolation and despair that drives us in the wrong direction.”

Here’s my question for you.  Who are you doing life with?  Are they pulling you towards becoming more like Jesus or are you being driven in the wrong direction?

Last Sunday, May 3rd, we began our new series on relationships titled:  ER Extraordinary Relationships.   We invite you to come and discover how these relationships could save your life.

Pastor Shane