Quote:
Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne
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.
Quote:
|
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.
Quote:
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.
Quote:
|
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.
LOL 
Linear Mode
