I met a full gospl guy the other day that; they use a rather large metal building for church on Sundays. They pay no rent. What they do instead, is clean up (every saturday evening)after the "marriage swapping parties" that 1st take place in the building during the week. The ones that use the building then take their partying to the hotels from there. I think what that church is doing, and having services the next day, could ultimately reach some nitty gritty sinners.
I know of a UPCI church that had meetings in a banquet hall that was typically used for large parties frequented by bikers. Lot's of heavy drinking and craziness going on. They would also gather to clean up the hall before setting out chairs and preparing for services.
I think I read a poster on this forum offer the advice to take church to where life happens. I guess I can understand the importance of having structured church services in a church building, but I think we sometimes sequester ourselves and hide from the world in this buildings when we should be letting our light so shine before men. I like what Paul said,
"20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house." - Acts 20:20 (NIV)
We know they gathered in homes where they could learn the Scriptures and worship. But I can also see them gathering in the market places and in the squares around a teacher while life buzzed around them. No doubt many a sinner first heard the gospel this way.
__________________ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.- Gal. 6:14
I wouldn't do the strip club thing. lol That's a bit much.
However, most restaurants have bars. Also, if the clientele is open the idea, why not?
I think that if Jesus were walking the earth today, he might find Harrigan's Tavern more comfortable than most churches. After all, it's not the healthy that have need of a physician.
I wouldn't do the strip club thing either....I'd be on the front pew sure but my attention would not be on the preacher
__________________ Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:
There is One God. This one God reveals Himself distinctly as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.
If they are truly interested, they'd go to where he is, right?
I think that's true to an extent. But I know good people who are very interesting in knowing more about God, their salvation, the Bible, and truth...but who have no interest in church. Many have been hurt by churches or have watched churches hurt people they love. We see scandal after scandal in the news. I know a lot of people who want to know more about God, but they honestly think that the church is just after their money. I was talking to a friend of mine who believes this and he admitted that there must be "good churches" out there, but he said, "How do you tell which are good churches and which are not?" He went on to explain that he'd rather just not risk it and read his Bible at home.
Sometimes it's not as easy as saying that they know where to go. Sadly, "church" has done more to harm the cause of Christ than anything else.
Exactly how receptive to any topic can someone be in a bar doing what people in bars do?
I've gone to bars and restaurants and had a couple drinks and been receptive to conversation and had a great time. I think that we assume that people in bars or restaurant bars are just there to get hammered. Most are just easy going folks looking to have a couple drinks to take the edge off. Those few who overdo it are obviously not going to get much out of it. I also think that time is important to. Meeting from 8PM to 9PM wouldn't be too bad...but to stay much later would most likely be fruitless, unless you were just mingling and making friends with the patrons.
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Overcoming depression? Isn't that why they are in the bar in the first place?
Not always. Bars are often frequented by very successful corporate business associates. I've had to attend such meetings when a director invites the staff out to Bar Louis for drinks after work. Sometimes some very important business takes place in this atmosphere. Most are just there to take the edge off and socialize or network with co-workers. Now, the darkened neighborhood bar scene...well... I've seen that, and it's a bit different. I think it depends on the establishment.
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Relationship and how to make them better? Is that something people go to the bar to work on?
Finding peace and the importance of family? If that's something they are interested in, going to the bar isn't going to help them find it.
One would think not, but it was pretty telling when a number of patrons actually listened in on a minister's discussion on relationships targeted at the ladies on ladies night. The one minister in the article I posted above spoke about life's ups and downs using the mechanical bull in the bar as an example of what it can be like hanging on to life's twists and turns. The point, hold on, never give up... and when you fall, get back up. It was all well received. Again, he got more criticism from the religious community than the patrons of the bar.
And certainly those who are uninterested just stay from that corner of the bar and drink. But... if one of them hears something that shakes them... wouldn't that be worth it?
In addition, since the bar is no place to find these things, let's say it works. This means that people get over their problems and no longer go to the bar for help. So now the bar owners are making less money.
Again, I think we're assuming that only depressed people go to bars to get plastered. That's not been my experience. It's most often socializing, networking, and taking an edge off from an intense work week.
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If I was the bar owner, I wouldn't allow it. I serve people drinks to help them forget they have problems, not to help them get over them.
I think many bar tenders might agree with you. But I've heard of bar tenders and bar owners who are Christian and see opportunity in opening a door for the gospel where there may not have been one previously.
But you do bring up some pretty good points to think about.
Matthew 11:19
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
I will go to more upscale bars with a friend of mine for a drink and conversation on occasion, but I'm still not interested in going to a bar of any kind for a meeting on how to make my life better. I can't imagine anyone going to a bar with such a purpose in mind.
"Would you like to go out for a drink or two downtown?"
"Sure! And while we are there, we can listen to this guy speak on overcoming depression. Wouldn't that be fantastic?"
"If only other bars in this area would bring that kind of service to their patrons. Just think of what a better place this world could be?"
Ok, I'm being a bit sarcastic, but I'm laughing cause the idea is just too funny to me. Perhaps if I saw evidence on the difference his ministry is making in the lives of those people, I might not laugh too long.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
I will go to more upscale bars with a friend of mine for a drink and conversation on occasion, but I'm still not interested in going to a bar of any kind for a meeting on how to make my life better. I can't imagine anyone going to a bar with such a purpose in mind.
"Would you like to go out for a drink or two downtown?"
"Sure! And while we are there, we can listen to this guy speak on overcoming depression. Wouldn't that be fantastic?"
"If only other bars in this area would bring that kind of service to their patrons. Just think of what a better place this world could be?"
Ok, I'm being a bit sarcastic, but I'm laughing cause the idea is just too funny to me. Perhaps if I saw evidence on the difference his ministry is making in the lives of those people, I might not laugh too long.
LOL
I feel ya, that's one reason why I posted it.
I don't think people would go for the services, but some who are there might wonder what's being said. One of the most powerful of human instincts is curiosity. I think a lot of folks who intended to just go have a few drinks would be curious about what was being discussed. As with the examples given, a lot of folks might listen in.
When are we going to minister to the dear ladies that work in the strip clubs?
Don't laugh but a brother told me there is a church group that goes to the strip clubs and does just that. Do I think that is wise? NO. Do I think that is what God meant? NO. Do they need the Word of God? YES.
__________________
"The nose of the bulldog has been slanted backwards so that he can breathe without letting go."
Winston Churchill
Don't laugh but a brother told me there is a church group that goes to the strip clubs and does just that. Do I think that is wise? NO. Do I think that is what God meant? NO. Do they need the Word of God? YES.
I bet they get quite a turn out for outreach, especially from among the men's group. lol
LOL 
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