The Holy Spirit will lead us to the right name when we need it. I wanted to throw in the mix a conversation with Kelvin and Veronica this week that raised some really good alternative points I'd like to encourage us to give some real thought to as well. Here's the key things from that discussion:
We've spent a lot of time building up recognition and rapport in the neighbourhood as The Local, so why go away from that? We also have a perfect, ready-made slogan for this next venture in the tagline on many of the t-shirts several of us already wear: Feeding Body & Soul. Why not use that?
The difference between something like Small Change Cafe and something like The Local Cafe is how we position ourselves and the cafe. The first idea separates the cafe from us - it's something we do in the community, but it's not who we are. It would end up being presented as The Small Change Cafe and also the home of The Local community church.
If we run with The Local Cafe - Feeding Body & Soul, we're stepping up quite strongly and saying that this venture is itself an extension of who we are. If you are blessed by your experience visiting the cafe, it's not just because you had a nice cup of coffee, it's hopefully also because the presence of God and the hospitality he seems to manifest through us has flowed into you as well. That's pretty cool.
Speaking personally, I'd unconsciously assumed it was important to separate the two things (The Local and the cafe), but I really liked the points Kelvin and Veronica made and felt I could see a lot of God's way in it. So...let's throw that into the mix of our thoughts and prayers too.
Would love you to consider it with us and share your thoughts when we next catch up.
We'll keep sharing thoughts and ideas as we go, but the equal assumption is that we all each give ourselves and each other an open invitation to agree, disagree, refine and add to the picture along the way. If we keep doing that in an open, humble spirit, the Holy Spirit should be able to lead us towards the path he wants to set.
So over to you all.
Bless you team :)
And thanks Kelvin & Veronica!