Introducing the life you’d gladly stand in line for
You don’t stand in line at Starbucks® just to buy... read full description
You don’t stand in line at Starbucks® just to buy... read full description
reviews
Jul 28, 2011
Most books have both good and bad points in them. But every so often, I run across a book that has practically no redeeming value. This was one of those books.
Bluntly, it was one of the worst books I've read in a long time.
The essence of the book's message: Church should be E.P.I.C. (Experiential, Participatory, Image-Rich, Connecting). Starbucks does EPIC really well. The church could learn a lot from Starbucks.
The format takes each letter (E.P.I.C.) and covers a chapter on how Starbucks e More...
Bluntly, it was one of the worst books I've read in a long time.
The essence of the book's message: Church should be E.P.I.C. (Experiential, Participatory, Image-Rich, Connecting). Starbucks does EPIC really well. The church could learn a lot from Starbucks.
The format takes each letter (E.P.I.C.) and covers a chapter on how Starbucks e More...
Mar 02, 2009
Rich
rated it: 
Sweet takes this Starbucks idea, which would have made a great sermon or short series, and stretches it into a book. In my opinion, he takes the analogy too far. At points in the book it seems like he strays from the focus of the book in order to talk more about Starbucks.
At times Sweet comes across as someone who wants you to know that he is smarter than you are. It's as if he has all of the answers to the problems of the church, if only the church would listen to him.
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At times Sweet comes across as someone who wants you to know that he is smarter than you are. It's as if he has all of the answers to the problems of the church, if only the church would listen to him.
More...
Mar 03, 2010
Alaina
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Picking this up in the airport, it seemed like a really awesome book to read. And in the first chapter, Sweet convinced me it would be. But what started out as extremely thought provoking ended up being stretched a little too far for me. I thought he had some really awesome points (my favorite was the E and C of EPIC [experiential and connected:]), but otherwise, I think he takes what could be a riveting series of Bible classes or sermon series and tries to make it into something it's not quite
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Nov 12, 2010
Sue
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Very interesting. I was, at first, a bit irritated by the constant references to Starbucks, a coffee shop which I find over-rated, and vastly over-priced. It seems to me to bear little relationship to the Gospel message. However, the author argues persuasively that the aims of Starbucks, and its purpose, do reflect some of what the Christian life should be, although sadly the 'modernist' church of today has veered far from the friendly, active, participatory community of the first century. B
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Jun 23, 2008
Patty
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Has your walk with God has become rather commonplace? Are you living your life with “grande” passion? If not, brew yourself a strong cup of coffee and settle in to experience The Gospel According to Starbucks. Leonard Sweet masterfully draws analogies between Starbucks and the Church, his main premise being that people don’t stand in line at Starbucks just to buy a cup of coffee—they come for the experience. It is the same with the Church—too many Christians line up to follow God out of a sense
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Mar 25, 2009
Mazie
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Informative look into how to have a more paticipatory experience with God instead of a faith built solely on reason. If you think the Christian life is more about sitting in a pew, this book is an interesting read. A bit heavy on the metaphors, but I was startled at the parallels between Starbucks and church.
Mar 19, 2009
Sean
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I love and live for the gospel. I like Starbucks a lot. But this book was bad, totally man-centered, encouraging emergents to create and market church "experiences" like someone would buying a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Really?
Nov 01, 2011
Telemachus
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Not a bad book, but really ought to be consolidated into a coffee table version. I suppose there would be something fitting about a "coffee table" version of a book highly tied to coffee.
Aug 10, 2011
Daryl
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Leonard Sweet has an amazing ability to make right brained connections and play with the implications. Interesting? yes. Useful? Not sure.
Apr 24, 2011
Julyan
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Am not sure if I ever would want to even spend the time to finish up this book. The references and analogies offered by Sweet is witty and entertaining.
Might be considered a pretty decent read for someone who isn't religious.
From a religious perspective, the book lacks solid content to render a serious read. Amusing but doesn't give you enough to really wanna think any deeper or further. The comparisons get too much and frequent, the result, not really something I'd spend the time on. :p More...
Might be considered a pretty decent read for someone who isn't religious.
From a religious perspective, the book lacks solid content to render a serious read. Amusing but doesn't give you enough to really wanna think any deeper or further. The comparisons get too much and frequent, the result, not really something I'd spend the time on. :p More...
Oct 28, 2009
Lisa
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(Christian Spiritual Living) I got this book for free back when I worked at Willow Creek. I read it this past summer after I read two Starbucks themed books the year before. This turned out being the weakest one. It took me a long time to get through; even though the research was good and the connections were there, the writing just wasn't interesting enough for me. I would recommend this book to anyone who hasn't already read a book about Starbucks and who is beginning to seek Christianity
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Jan 28, 2008
Rodger
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In his picturesque way, Sweet likens the Christian life with a visit to starbucks. Of course the only way to do that is to uplift starbucks and simplify the Christian life. The EPIC principles he uses for comparison are good to remember. You will discover more about coffee than you ever thought was possible.
Mar 04, 2011
Deb
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The author examines some of the reasons Starbucks has grown to become such a successful corporation--and tries to draw out some lessons for Christians seeking to spread the gospel. He makes some good points, though this may be a bit too faddish for some. And non-Starbucks drinkers may not appreciate all of the references.
Jul 15, 2008
Jen
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I found this book to be intriguing as it presented a new way to look at the church and how we do ministry and outreach. I found myself taking numerous notes and highlighting ideas throughout that are practical, no-nonsense methods of reaching people with a message that isn't easily forgotten.
Oct 16, 2007
Brent
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Wow, Post Modern? Not even close. Len is an Emergent dude. I am conservative and I love it. He is easy to read, to the point and very challenging. He is not trying to engage anyone. He is trying to challenge all of us. He did this well. If you are a church leader you would do well to read this.
Oct 17, 2008
Howard
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I am a big fan of Leonard Sweet, having heard him at a conference last spring. His ideas that the church needs to shift from a Guttenberg (print) culture to a Google (digital) culture are critical. Every church leader should read this book.
Jul 25, 2007
Wes
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don't mess with it. its a dumb metaphor, a classic case of someone who isn't a part of post modern culture trying to engage that culture and it completely doesn't work. there are plenty of books out there that do this well, this book doesn't.
Sep 14, 2008
This book was a topic for a sermon where we go to church just before we began going there. I've heard a few people comment about it, so I want to read it based on the interest it's generated there.
Mar 31, 2008
Jacob
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If you are interested in exploring a new model for church, this is not a bad book [although, I would not say it is completely new... more like a revamp].
Jul 07, 2008
Alasse
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A bit too much with the acronyms, which drive me crazy,and nothing really new, but a fast read and a good choice for following Teresa of Avila.
Apr 15, 2008
Jonathan
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Fabulous comparison to what people what at Starbucks and to what the church has (or should have) to offer.
Dec 17, 2009
Chad
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Funny book! Good insight on how the church might have got "it" wrong and how Starbucks might have gotten "it" right.
Dec 17, 2009
Karl
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Well I am writing an entire paper on what I thought of this book... this box is far to small...
Sep 27, 2007
Jim
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Len is a great read on the subject of faith and the possibility for any church.
Jul 27, 2007
I should read this, being a barista and all... thanks for the tip, Chad!
