Coffee shop evangelism idea

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fnr

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With the now-widespread phenomenon of people sitting for hours in coffee shops, what do you think about the idea of a little tabletop sign that we Catholics can put up on a table where we’re sitting that says something like:
"Hi! I’m Catholic. Questions welcome! 🙂 "
“Catholic news! Just ask!”
“Good news! Free answers about the Catholic Church!”

Or for the more adventurous evangelists:
“Natural family planning is more effective than condoms at preventing pregnancy.”
“Catholics believe in justification by grace through faith. Any questions?”
“Right now, someone is watching you! (God LOL)”
"That little pull you’re feeling is the Holy Spirit. "
“Nieztsche is dead. -God”

For areas with high Muslim populations:
“Historians agree: Jesus died on the cross.”
“Caliph Uthman burned all copies of the Quran he didn’t edit.”
“Sura 5 (the Feast) is based on John 6.”
“Jesus blowing life into clay birds originated in Christian apocrypha (Infancy Gospel of Thomas)”

For Mormon areas:
“Genetic studies prove that Native Americans are not descended of Jacob.”

Thoughts?
 
fnr said:
With the now-widespread phenomenon of people sitting for hours in coffee shops, what do you think about the idea of a little tabletop sign that we Catholics can put up on a table where we’re sitting that says something like:
"Hi! I’m Catholic. Questions welcome! 🙂 "
“Catholic news! Just ask!”
"Good news! Free answers about the Catholic Church

Thoughts?
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This sounds really awesome.
 
That is a great idea. Why didn’t I think of it? I love simple ideas, because they usually work. You have the beginnings of something very powerful, I think. Awesome idea.
 
DaddyGirl said:
“Nieztsche is dead. -God”

LOL.
Re your idea…I wonder if coffee shops would allow you to do something like that.
It may not be, um, “permitted”.

.
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Obviously, you’d have to have the permission of the coffee shop owner. I have a hard time imagine this going down at Starbucks, but I bet there are a few small business coffee shops that are owned by people who could be convinced. On the other hand, the owners do run the risk of losing business by allowing this, so I would do my best to be respectful and not harrass patrons who are uninterested. (Some of the proposed signs would probably not accomplish this.)
 
Allegra said:
Obviously, you’d have to have the permission of the coffee shop owner. I have a hard time imagine this going down at Starbucks, but I bet there are a few small business coffee shops that are owned by people who could be convinced. On the other hand, the owners do run the risk of losing business by allowing this, so I would do my best to be respectful and not harrass patrons who are uninterested. (Some of the proposed signs would probably not accomplish this.)
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Why would you need permission? People wear t-shirts that say all kinds of things. What’s the difference between a t-shirt and a small sign?
 
Jozefo said:
Why would you need permission? People wear t-shirts that say all kinds of things. What’s the difference between a t-shirt and a small sign?
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Not permitted. For the same reason that Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot go from table to table, or beggars. I am Catholic and I would be offended.
 
KrazyKat said:
Not permitted. For the same reason that Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot go from table to table, or beggars. I am Catholic and I would be offended.
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Who’s advocating going table to table or begging? A simple sign bothers no one. Just put, “tip your server well” on one side of it lol.

[Edit] – have it with lights and a motor to make it spin slowly. Maybe a little soundtrack to go with it 😃
 
Jozefo said:
Why would you need permission? People wear t-shirts that say all kinds of things. What’s the difference between a t-shirt and a small sign?
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To use up one of their tables to sit and evangelize their customers. I would think you would need their permission, particularly knowing that it could harm their business.
 
Allegra said:
To use up one of their tables to sit and evangelize their customers. I would think you would need their permission, particularly knowing that it could harm their business.
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Meh. They have the right to refuse service, but unless they come with an objection, I say go for it. And if they do come complaining, it’s an opportunity to get a partner.
 
When I was co-owner of a coffee shop I would not have allowed it, and this was 35 years ago.
 
I went to a Christian Coffee Shop that was run by some Charismatic Christians. They sold coffee, got donations and volunteers. They weren’t open every day, but on the weekends, you got to meet some fine people, pray with them, help and encourage each other and even start relationships. It was run in a poorer part of town so rent was low. The one thing I took away from it was learning how to engage people on the street and inviting them to get to know Jesus.

This fellowship, where we can just get to know one another, is sadly lacking in Catholic communities. And like I said, these people were there for you, for strangers and each other. They also sold coffee. I mean c’mon, I pass these tattoo places and wonder: “How do they make the rent?” I mean when everybody’s got a tattoo, you don’t have to go back.

Peace,
Ed
 
Jozefo said:
What if someone wore a shirt instead of having a sign?
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Shirts and shoes were required. Messages on them more of a today thing. Last week a young lady came into Pete’s Coffee Shop with a shirt that read " I am bi, give it a try"’ she was served without comment.
 
KrazyKat said:
Shirts and shoes were required. Messages on them more of a today thing. Last week a young lady came into Pete’s Coffee Shop with a shirt that read " I am bi, give it a try"’ she was served without comment.
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Sounds like a shirt might work in places where signs are discouraged.
 
I really like this idea. I’ve been feeling the pull to go out and evangelize lately myself as well. I just don’t want to hide anymore when we have so much to offer!!! But I’ve yet to actually work up the courage and do it so far. :o

Have you heard of St. Paul Street Evangelization? They’re a new organization that’s dedicated to this kind of local stuff, and they provide free resources to hand out to people. (Like CDs and pamphlets and rosaries) You might want to check them out, maybe they could help you get something like this set up! 👍
 
The t-shirt might work. I used to wear a t shirt with this on the back:

**Jesus gave us his mother to be our own. **
We need her, the one God chose to need.
**Pray the Rosary **
Wear the Scapular

I was asked questions a few times when I wore it. Mostly I was asked if it was a Catholic thing. :yup:

However, when I go to a coffee shop I go to get a coffee drink, read, and tune out. If I saw anyone with a t-shirt promoting or provoking, I’d ignore them.

IMO, wear the shirt and be polite, help old ladies across the street, distract a toddler that is working his mom’s last nerve in the check our lane or acknowledge she has a lively child and tell her she’s doing a good job or pick up the item that has fallen to the floor (I did that once as a store employee was walking into the aisle and was told, “you’re one in a million.” Do these things cheerfully and simply. Even if you never have a conversation with anyone you will have been a good “witness.”
 
I think it would be better to keep it more general…like a sign that said, " The Bible discussed HERE! Please join me/us!" You have to get them on the hook before you can reel them in! I would also choose a specific topic or “chapter of the day” as well. I think if they were aware that you are Catholic right away, some would be on the defense. It is also best to find the things that you agree upon first…and go on from there.
It is a great idea. Good luck and God Bless! 👍
 
Yeah, I agree that a “sign” might not be the best method. Someone at the coffee shop could easily ask you to take the sign down, and they’d really be within their rights to do so.

A slogan on a t-shirt or even a bumper sticker on the backside of your laptop or backpack would be better for that purpose, I would think. If it’s on your person or on your personal property and not (easily) removable, they are much less likely to say something than if you are putting up a free-standing sign.

I definitely wouldn’t attempt this unprepared, though. Some people are better than others at handling the types of conversations that this would likely elicit.
 
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