Wichita Christian News and Information

Newton, Kan—In recent years, coffeehouses have become more than just a place to get a regular cup of coffee. People now visit coffee shops to work and build relationships. The latter is what Sr. Pastor Robert Palmer of Stone Creek Community Church (The Creek) had in mind when he started the church last summer. But rather than planting an ordinary church, he planted a coffeehouse called “Norm’s.”

“We want to engage people, build relationships, and serve great coffee,” Palmer says.

The church plant and coffee bar, which is scheduled to open to the public the first week in April, is supported by Christian and Missionary Alliance (The Alliance). Church planting is a major ministry in The Alliance vision.

Reverend Bill Malick, the Director of Church Planting Ministries at The Alliance says “Church planting is not so much the objective of our work as it is the result of the multiplication of new believers, disciples, and leaders.”

Norm’s Coffee Bar is designed to be a casual hangout for everyone from families to unchurched teenagers. Complete with a small stage, couches and granite top tables, there has been talk of even hosting concerts, game nights, and poetry slams in the contemporary venue.

Palmer says it is their vision to create a third place. Home is people’s first place. Work is their second place and where they hang out is their third place. Newton has few third places.”

Two concerts were already hosted in the coffee shop in the month of March. Though the shop has not officially opened, both events were well attended. The audience received lattes and espressos served by volunteer baristas. Small donations were accepted to benefit the artists as well as the vision for Norm’s.

Norm’s has been two years in the making. Members of The Creek and other Newton churches volunteered their time to completing the project. In the summer of 2010, the several teenagers from other area churches spent one day doing some much needed demolition so that the place could be rebuilt.

Palmer and other members of The Creek were extremely grateful. “These kids did in a few hours, what it would have taken weeks for one or two of us to do,” says Palmer.

Unlike other coffee shops, Norm’s is a non-profit organization. Palmer says the details about pricing are still being discussed.

“We are a non-profit, but that doesn’t mean we won’t make a profit,” says Palmer. “It means the profit made will be used to support our vision.”

Starting Monday, April 4 Norm’s Coffee Bar will be open from 6:30 – 11:30am Monday through Friday and from 7:00 – 11:00pm Friday. The Creek will continue to hold services on Saturdays at 7:00pm in the Norm’s Coffee Bar.

Christina Siriwardena is a student at Dallas Theological Seminary where she is pursuing her Masters in Media and Communication. She is currently an intern at Christian Press and a copyeditor for her church. When she’s not writing, she devotes her time to mentoring teenage girls. She resides in Kansas with her husband and two dogs.