Happy Hour:
 

I know an Apostolic brother who's in serious need of some extra income to keep his family afloat so he's considering a second job. However, most options he's considered don't present enough income to be worth the hassle of a second job. This weekend he discovered an opportunity to make nearly $500 in two to three nights a week part time. Here's the catch, it's a part time position bartending. He's seriously considering it and he has bartenders in his family but as an Apostolic he's not sure church family and the body of Christ at large would understand.

What are some of your thoughts on this?

Re: Happy Hour:
 

Just me, but I would not do it,Some spiritual reasons and some personal.It is good money and quick,but at what price.

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What are his convictions about alcohol? Sin or not a sin?? And does he delineate between a "social" drink, drinking for merriment purposes, and drunkenness?

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I took a part-time job once waitressing for banquets. I didn't have a problem with serving a drink with dinner... but I did have a problem with some of the wedding receptions and parties where people got out of hand with their booze.

I have seen much too much alcoholism destroy families to be comfortable playing a role by serving the stuff. It made me feel LOUSY spiritually . . . JMO.

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There is no possible way on God's green earth that could work out for him in any way!

The atmosphere alone would be enough to make that decision.

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I owned a store once and my pastor allowed me to sell beer and tobacco products. If you are bartending is it a sin? I really dont know!

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I held a license in Mixology when I was 22 years old. Trust me. There is nothing edifying about being a bartender or being in that atmosphere.

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Stay tuned. I'm sure we're getting ready to find out.

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I worked in a Bar for awhile BC. as a bouncer and bartender.The atmosphere is not conducive to a walk with God.

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I say (as if what I say matters) it's between him and God, and it's nobody else's business. Who cares what anyone else thinks!

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Very true. I'm not going to get into detail and I don't want to look back, but it's really a "no brainer".

Kids think it is so funny and everyone is laughing and happy, but it's actually not that way when you are on the inside.

I did get to meet Tommy Lee Jones. That's about it. :D

Re: Happy Hour:
 

Timmy,
We are epistles read of ALL men.

Not trying to be cantankerous, BUT if anyone posting has never been a bartender, then they really have no idea what the guy is getting into. So, most comments on the subject, for the inexperienced, are moot, IMO. :D

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I know what the standard response would be, and in this case, I don't think I'd do it.

However, a few years ago when we were in the greater New Orleans area, trying to rebuild a church, the only job I could find was as a Warehouse Manager for the local Budweiser distributor, lol.

I took the job, because I had to feed my family. My wife told me I should get business cards with "I preach for the King of Kings, but work for the King of Beers!"

Again, I would not advocate doing what your friend is thinking of doing, tho.

Re: Happy Hour:
 

For the record, I have tended bar. Yes, there can be some ugliness to deal with, but in my experience, it's rare. YMMV, of course, but most of the time, people are just being people, like anywhere else. And, of course, if one feels that any alcohol intake is sin (and one is entitled to one's opinion!), one should consider a job like this carefully. But also consider, if you aren't serving them, someone else will.

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What effect would working as a bartender have on one's personal testimony or witness ?
This would be something this brother would need to consider.

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I wonder what you mean by ugliness? A mean drunk? I'm not talking about that at all. I'm also not going to elaborate. I'm out of the discussion.

Cheers! :toofunny

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Yes, mean drunks and the like. I guess you're of the opinion that alcohol in any quantity is wrong, and now I seem to recall that from an old thread. That's fine. Still, this decision is between the man who needs a job and God.

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I'm not prepared to believe, that anyone could get that desperate and God not come through with something that will supply the need while not ruining a person's reputation as a godly man. I just don't see it any other way.

I've had desperate times in my life, and I have never had to resort to desperate measures.

I remember trying to make a business work. I was kneeling at my bed going through my briefcase. I began to pray and asked God to help me make this venture work. I was at a dead end with it. He spoke to me, "You trust the world more to supply your needs than you do me."

I closed the briefcase, locked it, and slid it under the bed. I said, "Okay, God. I quit! I trust in you from here on out."

He has never not provided in the most awesome and spectacular ways.

Going the route of a bartender speaks, to me, of desperation outside of faith and trust in God's provision. I just can't see it any other way.

I think the guy should put God to the test and watch Him perform. It's a matter of simple faith. "God, this isn't going to look good. I don't know what else to do. I need a miracle from you." That's it. It always has worked for me. :santathumb

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AMEN,and reeks of temptation.

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What about the thought of a Christian Bartender reaching a lost world?

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Personally, I don't think alcohol is a sin if consumed responsibly. Back when I was thinking about getting into the ministry I would have never touched a job like bartending, but since then I can honestly say that I don't see a real issue with it. As a bartender part of your job is to cut people off when they've had enough. Also, you really get an opportunity to network and meet people. It's a very social environment and while there are often a few cantankerous folks to deal with for the most part things are just status quo. As for one's witness...are they witnessing to their church family or are they out there trying to befriend and comfort the lost and hurting? If a Christian became head bartender I imagine he could work to facilitate one of those "bar ministry" deals where a speaker comes in and speaks in a reserved area of the bar or banquet room on things like marriage, single living, finding one's mate, addiction, etc.

I think the most dangerous risk to one's reputation comes from attitudes in the church itself. I know of Catholic bartenders who run clean establishments and their churches have no issue with it. However, in our churches I'm not sure if we'd be so level headed about it.

My favorite bartender was Jesus. He served up some really nice wine at a wedding once. ;)

Re: Happy Hour:
 

This is really a no brainer , we can argue the "separation by standards" all day long and it be a legitimate discussion.

I experienced the bar life for about 8 or 9 years, both as customer and employee. There is nothing Godly about it. I don't care what anybody says, there is no such thing as "having a social drink" in a bar. They are there for one reason and one reason only , to get lit. A buzz at the least. Even more at worst. It all gives way to sex, drugs, drunkeness, foul language, etc etc.

I could make pretty good being a pimp or owning a casino. but then again, as I say, its really a no brainer.

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And there you have it! I thought it would sound better coming from a man! :santathumb

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:santathumb:santathumb

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Okay......

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Okay. Good luck with that! :santathumb

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Well, for those of us with no brain, ......

:toofunny

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Yeah, no... I couldn't do it... I had a problem with alcohol once.

But I believe it can be done...

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Right, cause how many answers could you come up with when I say, "Hey, what can I get ya?" KWIM? Hello!!!!

Just being real here.

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I don't. :D

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"You don't really want a drink. All you need is Jesus!"

Yeah, it could work! :jolly

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While I would not recommend it at all, honestly a lot depends on the place. Is it behind the bar at your local TGIF? Or at a plush hotel style lounge? Or the local college hook-up establishment?

Location would be a major factor.

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You do better at eating popcorn, my friend. :toofunny

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A posh hotel? Oh, right, the men with money. That always works real nice and decent. Puleeze! :toofunny

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:popcorn2

Yep, you're right!

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I was a DJ in a nice "posh hotel" lounge for a while and it wasn't that bad. They DID want me to bartend -which I told them I wouldn't do (and I don't even have a problem with enjoying an adult beverage myself from time to time). But the crowds were generally better than your typical club setting with the exceptions usually being the weekend weddings that the hotel would host. Some were ok, but they became rowdy drunk fests by 1 am.

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Randy bro, is that you and the wife in the picture? If you don't mind me asking, what org is your church a part of and do they have any churches affiliated in the midwest?

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Of course it was a better crowd than the normal bar scene. Subtle works in that environment real well. :santathumb

So, I'm against it - for the record. I think I said that. :santathumb

Okay, that's all I have to say.

Timmy - onward through the popcorn!!! :toofunny

Re: Happy Hour:
 

Really? Is it because you don't think people can be "reached" in that type of setting or is it because of that frame of mind? Because back in my drinking days, I found myself VERY OFTEN searching for God when I was under the influence. I was in a desperate state quite often and KNEW I was on a path of eventual destruction and WISHED I had someone to talk to. Not only that, since coming to the Lord (and leaving that scene), I have had some of my OLD drinking buddies (who know I am God's now) come to me, calling me, etc. wanting to learn about God ... get this... when they were drunk... And we've had some really good talks.

So I'm wondering???? Might a Christian be CALLED to bartend??? Can it work? Don't know. But this much I'll say... if the owner finds out the bartender is trying to convert his drinkers... he won't have a job long!!! LOL!

Re: Happy Hour:
 

That is both of us (and our two boys). We're currently living in Mesa, AZ but went to an independent church (which was "birthed" from a UPC church in the late 80's) when we lived in Wisconsin. My wife grew up in the AoG.

Right now we are still looking, but have gone to several and will continue to search. They seem to be either huge mega-church's (very impersonal) or extremely conservative apostolic.