Coffee and . . .

"Coffee and . . . " an idiom which I believe is indigenous to Northern New Jersey. It serves as a code phrase for a social event. For more than 10 years following most Sunday evening services, members of the congregation would ask, "Are you interested in going for "coffee and?" The most frequented place for "coffee and" was Matthews Colonial Diner, nicknamed "Saint Matthews" because three or more local churches had delegations in attendance. We enjoyed "coffee and" a Belgian waffle, a wonderful Danish as the sign out front announced "baked on the premises," or a grilled cheese sandwich or a cup of one of the eatery’s signature soups.

"Coffee and . . . " helps simplify an idea about living as disciples of Jesus. As I have been privileged to preach in over 300 different pulpits in more than half of the 50 United States, Spain and South Africa, I am convinced that we Pentecostals have learned how to do church. Our performances are as varied as stripes on zebras, as colorful in some venues as peacock feathers, and loud enough to awaken comatose patients one mile away. In many places we do church brightly, garishly, loudly and to increasingly large audiences. But few people outside the walls of the building or outside the fences, soaring shrubberies and water-filled motes defining the real estate boundaries know what we church attenders do inside, or care.

What we need is, "Sunday and . . . and , church and . . . !" What we do on Sundays is faith building, emotionally stimulating, and helpful to participants. But those who need the experience most are outside. Since what we do Sunday morning is good and needed, those participating must be committed to exporting everything they learn, everything we experience. The joy of Sunday is valid and needs to distributed on Monday, Tuesday . . . you know, all week long. By the way, has anyone laughed or really found the wonderful release from stress and fear because you showed up carrying a bit of "Sunday and" with you?

Peace, the kind that surpasses ordinary absence of war and usual understanding, is God’s shalom. It is a valued sense of wellbeing that needs to be known on Wednesday morning in the super market checkout line. Or, is peace only dispensed in certain buildings set on specially dedicated pieces of real estate? Hugging and kissing (the holy kind) is an appropriate expression of love on Sunday, but love is needed in the marketplace! Love is in desperate short supply in Thursday’s rush hour traffic.

"Sunday and . . . church . . . and " are as essential as the "coffee and . . ." experiences on Sunday nights following church services. Over a cup of coffee and . . . our children built friendships in the adjoining booth or table. Laughter bubbling geyser-like from members of sevral congregations filled the same space where Monday morning customers groused about having to start another work week.

I pray your find as much pleasure as I have as I go about doing "Sunday and . . . church and . . . " today! If you are not too busy, we ought to meet at Saint Matthews!