Cafe church

Cafe Church - an approach to exploring Jesus Christ-inspired faith in a community that involves interaction, creativity, a degree of chaos and an openness to connecting with people who may have different ideas, beliefs and values to your own. The Cafe Church model is one that is commonly associated with alternative worship and the emerging church movements, which seeks to find new forms and approaches to existing as a church in the 21st century. These churches are often heavily focussed on relational aspects of Christian fellowship, and consequently a Cafe approach is particularly appropriate.

There are a number of churches around the world that have embraced this particular model, to a greater or lesser extent. Some take it as far as existing as a permanent coffee shop, in which the members of the fellowship meet; others simply utilise it as a way of providing variation within their normal service structure (for example serving coffee throughout the service, or having the congregation gathered around tables).

Cafe Churches often reflect an underlying theology and philosophy. Some will be more or less prosriptive, while others will be more comfortable asking questions and valuing the stories and experiences of attenders.

A website for the Cafe Church that started in Glebe, Sydney, Australia, in March 1996 can be referenced at:

http://www.cafechurch.org.au/

The theology and praxis of the Glebe Cafe Church has been described in detail,^[1] and this Cafe Church has been influential in similar ventures in Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

Another one, based in Melbourne, Australia, founded in 2001, can be referenced at:

http://www.cafechurch.org/

Another one is emerging in Southern England and can be referenced at:

http://www.believersseekersdoubters.org.uk/

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References

^ Riddell M., Pierson M., Kirkpatrick C.: "The Prodigal Project: Journey into the Emerging Church", SPCK, 2000
^ Taylor S.: "The Out of Bounds Church?", Zondervan, 2005
^ Baker J., Gay D.: "Alternative Worship", SPCK, 2003
^ Frost M., Hirsch A.: "The Shaping of Things to Come", Hendrickson, 2003
^ Brewin K.: "The Complex Christ", SPCK, 2004

[1] Riddell M., Pierson M., Kirkpatrick C.: "The Prodigal Project: Journey into the Emerging Church", SPCK, 2000

[2] Taylor S.: "The Out of Bounds Church?", Zondervan, 2005

[3] Baker J., Gay D.: "Alternative Worship", SPCK, 2003

[4] Frost M., Hirsch A.: "The Shaping of Things to Come", Hendrickson, 2003

[5] Brewin K.: "The Complex Christ", SPCK, 2004

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