The Pub Lounge near the I-75 exit in Sidney is your typical neighborhood restaurant/bar.
It has a dance floor, riding bull, big screen TV, pool tables, pizza, beer and a pleasant, everybody-knows-your-name vibe.
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Which — according to the Rev. Chris Heckaman — makes it the ideal spot for a new church.
Heckaman is senior pastor of Sidney First United Methodist Church, 230 N. Popular St. While his church-in-a-bar ministry may seem like an irreverent idea, it gives new meaning to the phrase "filled with the spirit."
"The idea behind the new Country Rock Church in the Pub Lounge is to reach people where they are," Heckaman said. "We've got a generation of folks who have grown up outside the church where pews, stained glass windows, robes and pulpits don't mean a thing.
"Jesus never formed a church. He never built a building. We're not trying to win people over to church culture. We want to minister to them where they are."
Country Rock Church will hold its first worship service in the Pub Lounge, 1555 W. Michigan St., on Sunday, April 20. Worship and music by the Don Fischer Band begin at 7 p.m.
Heckaman's looking for a mixture of food, fun and faith.
"Churches are beginning to grow as they speak the language of our culture," Heckaman said. "Why not a church in a bar? Why not anywhere else for that matter?"
When are we going to minister to the dear ladies that work in the strip clubs?
__________________ "Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
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When are we going to minister to the dear ladies that work in the strip clubs?
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. 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
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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.
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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
I wonder IF he got permission from the bar's owners? and if so, HOW? If I owned a bar, I'm sure I wouldn't give anyone permission to come in and hold a church service in my bar. Especially not during regular business hours.
On the other hand, if the people get convinced that they can be "fine Christian people" and still carry on their old lifestyle, then I guess it would be to the owner's benefit to have them there.
Hmmm............. something to think about.
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I wonder IF he got permission from the bar's owners? and if so, HOW? If I owned a bar, I'm sure I wouldn't give anyone permission to come in and hold a church service in my bar. Especially not during regular business hours.
I'm not so sure if one could call it a "church service" in the way we would typically see it. Obviously this was a service provided by a local church, but the preacher was obviously not yelling into a microphone and pointing a finger, he was in blue jeans and just talking about life's ups and downs. I can picture a preacher talking to a small group in the corner of a bar on, "Looking For Love In All the Wrong Places". If kept practical and good spirited, I'm sure few would see an issue. Most likely, he'd get some good hardy "Amen!"s from some of those who have been in the bar scene a while and have experienced first hand what he'd be talking about.
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On the other hand, if the people get convinced that they can be "fine Christian people" and still carry on their old lifestyle, then I guess it would be to the owner's benefit to have them there.
True. But I don't think I'd condemn anyone for having a couple drinks in a responsible fashion. I've been known to enjoy a margarita when eating finer Mexican food or a glass of wine with dinner, especially Italian. Now, the carousing and revelry would definitely not be something becoming of a Christian.
LOL 
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