Hillsong NYC Pastor Carl Lentz on Starbucks Red Cup Christmas Controversy: 'It's Weird When Christians Freak out about Stuff Like That'

By Mark Aserit
Carl Lentz
Pastor Carl Lentz leads a Hillsong NYC Church service at Irving Plaza in New York on July 14, 2013. Tina Fineberg/AP

Recently, Starbucks received complaints about their new holiday coffee cups, saying the chain is making war on Christmas. However, senior pastor of Hillsong Church New York Carl Lentz said that Christians are only exaggerating the issue.

"I think it's weird when Christians freak out about stuff like that. I don't know why we get so shaky when the world is the world," he said in an interview. He questions why Christians are getting mad at Starbucks, and he asked, did the coffee shop "vow" to embody Christmas?

Lentz stressed that different people have different ways to celebrate the Christmas season. Starbucks' campaign this year should not be viewed as a war against Christians.

In his house, the pastor explained that they celebrate what they believe in, and "people can do what they want." He further said that if a Christian believes in his faith, he should allow other "people to be people and not make a fight about everything."

Lentz, known for his current brand of preaching and tattooed appearance as a pastor, is also a close friend of famous celebrities like Justin Bieber, NBA stars Kevin Durant and Jeremy Lin. 

The pastor also became famous for his stand regarding "gay-welcoming" churches. He stated that it was wrong for the Christian community to judge other churches beliefs. He stressed that churches have to stay open to people who are in desperate need of God.

In response to the criticisms about new Starbucks' cup, the company executives said they wanted to embrace "simplicity and quietness" in their new products. Moreover, they wanted to show that the coffee shops could be "sanctuary" during the holidays.

Since 1997, Starbucks was offering holidays drinks in a festive red cup, adorned with Christmas symbols like reindeer and snowflakes. However, the company decided to make minimalist design this year: Vivid red and just their famous mermaid logo.

Many people are upset because the Christmas décor has been removed. Some religious conservatives said Starbucks are taking religions out of the Yuletide season by doing things like greeting their customers with "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."

The latest holiday cups from Starbucks were first introduced in selected shopping destinations in Europe on October 22 before being released in America and Canada on November 1.

Having said that, what do you think of this year's red cup design?

    Most Popular

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo

  • Woman pastor analyzes: How Chinese gender culture shapes female ministers’ roles in churches

    In traditional Chinese culture, deeply ingrained notions of gender roles, often expressed as "male strong, female weak," significantly influence the position of women in society and the church. This issue is particularly pertinent for female pastors navigating their roles in ministry. Rev. Dora Wang, Ph.D., from China Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), recently addressed this topic in a seminar, sharing her insights on the challenges women face in ministry and proposing strategies to su

Top Stories