What is “5000 coffees?”

You’ll often hear me talk about “5000 coffees,” which my own short hand for “spiritual engagement.” But it’s not original to me.

A couple years ago I was sitting in one of my doctoral classes, and the time had turned to open dialogue with the two profs. One of the profs was also a successful pastor, and a student asked him the secret to his success. His answer, “5000 coffees.”

The reason it struck me was because it was what I was already doing.

We sometimes use words like “discipleship,” “mentoring,” and “spiritual formation” in ways that represent a pretty broad semantic range. I’m probably guilty of that, too.

But the reason “5000 coffees” struck me (and even became the basis of my doctoral thesis project) is because whether the occasion was a business lunch, a guy I was mentoring in an addiction recovery program, or even buying a t-shirt at a concert merchandise table, I see all conversations as spiritual and relational.

And in a context of service — pastorally or otherwise — getting to know the people you serve, being genuinely curious (if not patient!), it how we cut through the noise in a seriously noisy world.

The old adage is almost a cliche’ — people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, right?

Maybe I’m weird. But I can sit down with anybody and genuinely say, “Tell me your story.”

And one key to my “first 100 days” plan at your organization is 5000 coffees (give or take a few).