Lead Pastor of James River Assembly

Subject: RE: Starbucks promotes homosexual agenda with coffee cup
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:47:20 -0500
From: jlindell@jamesriver.org
To:

 Dear Bill,

From time to time we are asked about why James River would serve Starbucks coffee. The purpose of the cafes in the church is to promote fellowship. One of our greatest challenges at a larger church is connecting people to one another; the cafes have been instrumental in helping create anenvironment where people can build relationships. We sell the coffee below the price charged at a regular Starbucks and for the most part the church "breaks-even"financially.

I know that is not why you sent me the email. We are aware that Starbucks has endorsed the homosexual lifestyle. Which leads to the question: 'What should be our response to a company (in this case Starbucks) that takes a public stand on an issue that runs counter to what we believe as Christians?'

Some Christians advocate boycotting any company that does not support Christian values. My question to them is: Does the Bible advise us to do that? A search of theScriptures indicates the opposite to be true. In 1Corinthinans 5:9-10 the Apostle Paul writes, ' I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.'

If we are going to take the position as Christians that we must actively oppose any corporation or person who espouses views contrary to what the Bible teaches it would make it virtually impossible to interact with the world on any level. In fact in order to be consistent those who would boycott Starbucks would also need to start walking because every major auto maker accommodates the homo-sexual agenda at one level or another. They would also need to stop using cell phones, cable,watching TV, ad infinitum. To be consistent with the view that we should oppose and boycott any company that espouses or endorses views contrary to the Bible would mean that in most respects we would need to live like the Amish. And this is exactly Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 5 when he says if you aren’t going to have any dealings with immoral or idolatrous people you would need to "go out of the world." While I don’t want to be unkind, those who would suggest that the church not sell Starbucks but who personally watch ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN etc, go to Disney World, drive a Ford, GM, Toyota vehicle, use AT&T phone service, have SONY products, etc are in some respects being hypocritical.

Paul’s advice to the Corinthians is that people should only be avoided if they call themselves 'Christians' but are involved in sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, etc. In essence Paul is saying pagans will do what pagans will do and we can't expect them to live by the same rules. If we demand their conformity to biblical standards as a condition of our association with them, we will never associate with them or do business in the world.

Hopefully this helps you understand our position as a leadership team at JRA.

Blessings!

John Lindell

Lead Pastor, JRA