Bigger is Better at Starbucks

The bigger-is-better concept is brewing at Starbucks, with the nation-wide rollout of its Trenta cup size—just shy of a quart. While nutritionists are fighting the supersizing of America’s eating patterns, restaurateurs are yet persuading consumers to opt for the bigger sizes for reasons of “economy” (the more you spend, the more you save)—a psychological trick that pays too well for merchants to end it. America’s nutritionists are fighting an uphill battle to influence healthier food choices.

It begs the question, how has this bigger-is-better concept affected our church choices? If a church is large and growing, it is assumed to be healthy. But what does this say to our assumptions about small ministries? Are they not healthy? Or, following the logic of my “food” analogy, are they actually healthier for us? Well of course the fact is both large and small churches can be biblically healthy.

Rather than ‘form,’ our emphasis should be on ‘function.’ Jesus said “when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself" (John 12:32). Isn't that the role of a healthy church? One that does not necessarily “draw” crowds, but one that “draws” people to Jesus? Similarly, Starbucks' ‘bigger-is-better’ approach may draw bigger crowds, but what about the health of their over-caffeinated customers?