This sounds great. I know of an orphanage in Brazil that also runs a pizzeria, both for income and so the kids and others can get job training.
He doesn’t say it, but I suspect all that serving (and just doing a regular job) has been not just good for those they’re reaching, but for him particularly. I think all pastors should spend a day a week doing some “regular” job.
The 80 hour work week is too much though. He should definitely take more time off…from the church.

Wow. I am blown away! I won’t copy what you’re doing (although I LOVE making pizza for my family and the kids they bring over). But as a former preacher I think you are right on target. DON’T LISTEN TO YOUR PREACHER PEERS! You are in the thick of ministry! God bless you!

Fantastic. Usually “tent making” is seen as a means for missionaries to get into closed countries, but this is a great example of how it can work just as well in a first world country. I think that this is exactly what Jesus would do.

What a great story!

Imagine that…yet another “church without walls” but with lots of Christ! When will we learn that the organic way is just as, if not more than, effective?

Great story, Terry. I’ve been impressed lately that along with bringing people to Christ, I need to bring Christ to the people. In fact, if I brought Christ to the people maybe I’d be bringing more people to Christ!

You are in the very midst and heart of ministry. Don’t listen to those who want you to stand behind the pulpit.
I am a ministers wife of 30 years. True ministry is getting your hands dirty with the lives of others, especially those OUTSIDE the church. That is where Jesus would be.
Make pizza, listen, and serve. Keep it up!

St. Francis would be proud, “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.”

I am interested in being involved in helping people. That is why I am doing my M. Div. with a counseling focus. I really love this story and hope that I can enjoy some pizza in Oregon some day.
LOL, years from now, some aspiring young preacher is going to be deeply moved by the power and authenticity of Terry’s preaching and ask him what his method is. “Well, first, go spend about 20 years serving people pizza…”

AMEN!

My son and his wife are in France as missionaries. Their way of connecting with people will be to start and run a coffee shop, getting to know people and building relationships with them. France is a very spiritually dark country, very closed to church. So instead of inviting people to come into a building where they would be uncomfortable, just because it’s so different than what they’re used to, go to where people will come.
I hang out in McDonald’s and God has brought some wonderful opportunities into my life to share his love and grace. One morning I was sitting in a booth writing in my journal, asking God if I was wasting my time sitting here. Was this a selfish thing? Should I be doing something more “productive”? Within 5 minutes of writing this a man whom I’d met briefly came to me and said, “Can I ask you a question?” He then asked, “How can God forgive the things I’ve done in my life?” Well, there was my answer. I was right where God wanted me.
God calls us all to various ministries, inside and outside of church buildings. Our job is to listen to God’s voice and obey.
Loved this story.

This is a sledgehammer. I wonder what might happen if more of us step away from our own prescribed “world view” and just look at reality. This pastor ignored his own company narrative and formula and did something which was original, authentic, and hard. I think it’s called “real life.”
Yes, I know that many are actually “called” to ministry. But, too many just fall into the gigantic “jobs program” which characterizes too much of the visible church.

I love Terry’s story!
I’ve got pizza stories too. My friend Steve wanted to begin something in an urban part of our city – we knew there were many struggling people in the area, and tossed around a few possible approaches – in the end he decided to go down with one or two other guys, find some people who were in society’s margins, and find a way to eat with them.
He found some indigenous people (long story, but there are major racial tensions in Australia between whites and the indigenous population) who also happened to be alcoholics, in a dark park. On approaching one guy he was met with major hostility. He persevered, and said he wanted to bring pizza down to share. There was more hostility, but eventual amazement as they realised he was genuinely trying to break down barriers and love them. When they discovered he had a wife and baby at home, and was deliberately sitting in a dark and dangerous place to eat with them, the hostility changed to amazement and intense gratitude.
I was able to get involved in the work that flowed out of that, and for a time a local church started sending groups of students down on Friday nights to participate. We would try to explain about the gospel extending beyond the “bridge diagram” – they started to get that once they sat with these people and heard their devastating stories and saw the intense needs of a broken community.

I’m appreciate your stories! Amy and Mick, thanks for these. I appreciate the personal encouragement as well. Scot, thanks for reposting this. Missional Pizza sounds like the title of an as yet unwritten book.

I have done more ministry since I left the church then I ever did when I was in it. I don’t know why people don’t understand that. This IS a calling. Ministering to people. Period. That does NOT always include standing in a pulpit.

My wife and I came out of the marketing world so when we answered the call to plant churches gathering a crowd was no big secret. However, it became rather clear after a few years that width did not equal depth. In the summer of 2002 some espresso equipment was donated to our church and we started a summer outreach/fundraiser out of the foyer of the church. We are now 8 yrs into the most amazing missional endeavorour our humble faith community has ever put their hands to and currently operate 4 specialty coffee shops in our city. On any given week over 5000 customers come through our doors. Every employee who serves at YAKS does so out of a love and desire to connect with our community. 100′s of people are prayed for each day. Our profits help support local benevolent needs. We train churchplanters and others in what it looks like being the hands and feet of Jesus in the marktetplace. Our conference rooms are used by local churches and pastoral groups as well as other religious organizations and community groups. I’ll never forget when I was hosting a pastroal luncheon for our local ministers in one room and at the same time in another room a local gay and lesbian group were having a meeting…it just doesn’t get any better then this in our rather politically and religiously conservative neck of the woods (Redding, CA). We have helped folks start similar ventures from Alaska to China and find oursleves more then ever before crying our for his grace as to what the next season might look like.
WARNING…an invitation is about to be made.
Churchplanters who might be interested in running a coffee shop during the week and holding church services on Sunday in the same building send me an email and we could talk. Or if you just want to talk about what we do please dont hesitate we love sharpening swords with others: mike@yakskoffee.com.
And lastly, to Scott and all you coffee afficianados. We roast all of our own coffees and anytime you find yourselves on the 5 traveling thru northern California please stop buy and I’ll pull you a shot on me and send you home with some great beans.

Great story! However, does it have to be one or the other?one, confined to sitting in the pastor?s office planning committee meetings and sermons, or two, hanging out at the local coffee shop? Might there be a third way? I find some pastors build their ministry schedule around the expectations of others?board members, verbal congregational members, etc. How about re-framing that whole picture through: re-training the leadership, holding meetings and/or discipleship/counseling/coaching appointments at the local coffee shop, tell a different story on Sunday morning?include (anonymous) stories of your new experiences ?out there,? volunteer doing something outside?repair bikes at a local shop (for a few hours a month I coach employees through the MBTI for local businesses)?we are limited only by our own imagination and sensitivity to the Spirit?s leading.

Phil, I absolutely agree; it doesn’t need to be one or the other. I am thankful for the congregation that I serve, for I have been given great latitude to live my life, and shape my pastorate, and lead us as a local congregation exactly as you have described. As the Spirit has led us, led me. So, for me, it is very much both, and much as you describe actually. I live one life. Although it’s true that different aspects of my life might be seen in a great way, or one role or another might be more easily identified at one time or another, I’ve really been able to leave much of the “pastor hat” mentality behind.
I really appreciate what you had to say.
Mike @ Yaks — great story! Thanks for sharing. Next time I’m in your neighborhood, I’m coming for a cup.

Dude, this is absolutely brilliant!! I’m so tired of hearing about how churches are doing something different when in actuality all they’ve changed is their narrative. Owning this pizza shop gives you credibility with the people in the community and gives you an authority to speak. This is very encouraging.

This is the happiest story I’ve read all week.

This story brought a tear to my eye along with a huge smile on my face. We need more stories like this.