Jim and Patty are the original Portland COFFEE PEOPLE. I’m working from here today on Freemont in N. PDX. Place is a buzz of conversations. How good are you at the art of conversation? I blogged about it here… nwbc3.blogspot.com/2011/02/art-of-conversation.HTML
This is a neighborhood coffee shop. I'm probably the exception and not the norm. If you are a church planter or a pastor in this area, how would you approach this group of people. How would you enter the conversation? Here is where I would start?
1. I would frequent the cafe frequently.
2. I would learn peoples names. I would make a goal to learn at least 20 names in the first month, starting with those "regular attenders."
3. I would then say "HI" to everyone by name and reintroduce myself to them by my name.
4. I would gradually extend my conversation time with each person and discover their passion.
5. I would learn something about this interest and look for opportunities to discuss this topic with them as often as possible.
6. Pray. Wait. Listen to God and them.
7. Unplug at times. I come to the cafe to work so I'm plugged in.....my phone, my laptop, etc. are ON. Turn them off so you can be attentive to the room.
8. ??????
How about you? How do you enter the conversation in the neighborhood cafe?
We love having our coffeehouse used as a place for people to come together and get to know each other better, to have conversations, on any subject, but in particular on this topic.
ReplyDeleteJim - You have a great coffeehouse and house is a very descriptive term for what happens there. I'd love to hear your story sometime. Thanks for serving great coffee and great conversations!
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