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.
If I wanted to hear about Jesus, I'd go to church.
If I want to have a good time at the bar and someone starts preaching and the management allows it, I'll find me another bar to patronize.
I think that makes sense. For the most part I agree.
But I think that some clubs invite comedians etc. If the preacher is speaking on a relevant topic, the people might be receptive. For example, relationships, overcoming depression, finding peace in a troubled world, or the importance of family, raising teenagers... I think some folks might not mind listening.
But I agree, when I've been in bars (yep, I've been there done that) I wouldn't have wanted to hear some ranting preacher in the corner of the place. I was there to get a buzz going and meet some ladies.
But a corner of the bar set up to allow a man to simply "speak" on an issue to those interested, why not?
I think that makes sense. For the most part I agree.
But I think that some clubs invite comedians etc. If the preacher is speaking on a relevant topic, the people might be receptive. For example, relationships, overcoming depression, finding peace in a troubled world, or the importance of family, raising teenagers... I think some folks might not mind listening.
But I agree, when I've been in bars (yep, I've been there done that) I wouldn't have wanted to hear some ranting preacher in the corner of the place. I was there to get a buzz going and meet some ladies.
But a corner of the bar set up to allow a man to simply "speak" on an issue to those interested, why not?
If they are truly interested, they'd go to where he is, right?
Exactly how receptive to any topic can someone be in a bar doing what people in bars do?
Overcoming depression? Isn't that why they are in the bar in the first place?
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.
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.
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.
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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.
I'm not sure of what exactly they are trying to win them over to. Not religion, no doubt, but they still need to be won to a church body of believers, that reflect Jesus. Is that their intentions? I hope. I like the picture, I must say.
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.
__________________ 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 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
If I wanted to hear about Jesus, I'd go to church.
If I want to have a good time at the bar and someone starts preaching and the management allows it, I'll find me another bar to patronize.
We are the church, the gospel mandate never said bring people to church, it said go, I think it to be risky to go to that setting but at the same time, those risks are rewarded. Sometimes to fulfill the gospel mandate, we are going to have to sit in the smoking or drinking sections.
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