Coffee and Donuts

In many churches, the term “fellowship” has been reduced to the title of a committee that serves coffee and punch after worship. Yet, those fellowship coffees and church picnics serve a real purpose of giving people the opportunity to meet and grow in friendship. In the film Simon Birch (directed by Mark Steven Johnson, Buena Vista Pictures, 1998, 28:24–29:35), Simon challenges Reverend Russell in worship, asking, “What does coffee and donuts have to do with God?” Russell replies that it’s to “socialize and discuss the upcoming activities.” In reality, time spent together builds the church. After all, it’s difficult to love, admonish, encourage, and help (1 Thessalonians 5:14) people you don’t know.