Grocery Shopping
Last night, while in Columbus, Emily, Sammie, Abby, Nate, and I hit the Whole Foods Market. This was my first time at Whole Foods…it was interesting, intriguing, inspiring, and overwhelming…all at the same time. I was in culinary heaven!
I wanted to stop by Whole Foods to find a wine that my friend Shane Hartman had told me about. The winery is called Frey. I purchased a zinfandel and am anxiously awaiting to try it (right now it’s still in Columbus, while I am in Greenville…but it will be arriving soon).
Anyway, back to Whole Foods. As I entered the store, I heard drums and singing…and it sounded live. And, it was. Between the wines and coffees, a group of younger adults were dancing, singing, and playing hand drums. As I wandered through the store, I observed people just hanging out. Sure, you can purchase drinks and food to consume at the store. But, general shoppers were hanging out. This wasn’t going to the grocery store kind of shopping. This was a whole new experience…a holistic shopping experience (sight- displays of beautiful foods; sound- music, conversations; smell- foods being cooked, coffee being brewed; taste- foods available for one to sample; touch- grabbing foods, bottles of wine, etc).
People hanging out in a grocery store, on a Friday night at 7:30pm. It sounds ridiculous. But, it’s happening. And, it’s beautiful. And, I honestly wanted to stay and be a part of it.
People are searching for something…a connection…an experience. Whole Foods has revolutionized the shopping experience. They have designed it to mean something.
When people come to the church, they are searching for something…a connection…an experience. Do people find something they want to be a part of in the church?
What the church has to offer is the greatest experience of all time…the love of Jesus Christ. Yet, I wonder if people walk away from church the way I’ve walked away from Whole Foods…excited, inspired, desiring to return???
So, how do we, as the church, create a holistic experience for those searching for a deeper connection?
Speaking of connecting and fellowship…there is a “mega” church in Portland, Oregon that is deconstructing their mega church and building a Christian mall. There will be a spa, coffee shops, a grocery and others. I heard about it on K-Love this morning. Interesting huh?
Comment by rachel — October 23, 2007 @ 1:25 pm