By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A Department of Labor review of The Rock Church’s C-3 Coffee Shop in Conway, South Carolina, found violations of child labor laws. The investigation was initiated following a complaint about a homeschooled student under 16 working during school hours, which is prohibited by federal regulations. Labor officials also raised concerns regarding the coffee shop’s practice of directing customer tips to the church, rather than distributing them to employees. As a result of the review, the church has implemented new policies, including scheduling changes for underage workers and renaming the tip jar a donation jar.
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Conway church coffee shop found in violation of child labor laws, and honestly, the whole situation is just… wow. It’s hard to know where to even begin, but let’s just lay it all out there. Apparently, this coffee shop, which is somehow associated with a church, was employing school-age children during school hours. On top of that, they were essentially taking the kids’ tips, which, I have to say, is just plain wrong. It’s not just a little slip-up; it’s a fundamental betrayal of trust, especially when we’re talking about a place that’s supposed to be guided by principles of faith and compassion.
The review also examined the coffee shop’s practice of directing customer tips to the church rather than distributing them to the employees, which is another area of concern. It is like they are taking advantage of vulnerable individuals. I can see why it’s such a big deal. The kids were promised changes would be implemented, which is an important step.
The Department of Labor did step in and got involved. The coffee shop was told it couldn’t use the word “tip” anymore. They were advised not to use the word “tip.” The coffee shop, according to some reports, sought legal counsel back in 2016, but somehow, they still ended up in this situation. It is confusing. So now, the tip jar is called a “donation jar.” Honestly, it is a semantics game. It’s a thinly veiled attempt to get around the law, which is what it sounds like.
I’ve seen similar stories pop up. One, in particular, involved an ice cream shop owned by outspoken Christians, who, like the coffee shop, directed their “ill-gotten gains” to the church and also took tips. It’s a pattern, and it’s unsettling. The owner’s response in that case, and probably in this one as well, often sounds like they are trying to justify the actions. It’s the devil, right there in the details.
If you are a church, why is there a coffee shop? It seems strange to me. I haven’t been in a church in ages, but I haven’t seen that. It does remind me of a song, though – the one about how some evangelicals and fundamentalists aren’t always as good as they claim to be. And the fact that we’re talking about homeschooled kids here makes it even more concerning. That environment often comes with a higher degree of control and indoctrination. It feels like an open invitation to exploitation rather than empowerment.
Conway, South Carolina, where this coffee shop is located, doesn’t surprise me. It’s a town, and a state, where this kind of thing unfortunately doesn’t shock people anymore. It really does make you wonder if a church needs a coffee shop. It feels like a desperate attempt to attract people, but it really makes the church look bad.
A house of worship should be focused on worship. Using the children for labor and then changing the language to ‘donation’ is just wrong. Where are the people who are always clutching their pearls? They should be appalled by this situation. It’s the kind of thing you expect, sadly.
The fact that they consulted someone back in 2016 and they’re still getting in trouble is astonishing. Either they got bad advice, or they chose to ignore it. A local hospital operates in a similar way, where employees can’t take tips directly, and the jar’s contents go to the hospital. But you have to ask about it to find that out. Again, in South Carolina, they probably didn’t even put the children on the books, which is just sad.
It is worth noting that some churches, like Tindley Temple UMC in Philadelphia, operate restaurants, and the money goes to the soup kitchen. And I, as a non-believer, can appreciate the good they do. Lots of churches around me have coffee shops. It’s becoming more common in the Carolinas. Sometimes they don’t even advertise their affiliation with the church, and sometimes they are miles away from the church itself.
It gives them a way to “spread the gospel” and “serve the community.” At least, that’s what they say. But in my experience, the coffee is never good. I think the whole idea is a bit off. Churches and coffee shops seem like an odd mix.
I’d reserve the term “messed up” for Myrtle Beach, its neighbor, but even then, it is not as bad as it was a generation ago. My own church has a coffee bar, but it is free. I think that is a better option.
Scum will cling to the fact that whatever they’re doing isn’t lawfully wrong even if you call it out as morally wrong, good thing stealing tips definitely is, hope this “church” is held accountable *coffee shops. Their small, nimble little fingers are excellent for cleaning the espresso machines, since the beans and grounds are also small.
It makes me wonder if they are trying to make tips tax-free.