Beer and Church
Jan 5, 2005 Print This Post
{ MOOD: Thoughtful | NOISE: Kid’s watching TV }
I just ran across this article that says, in part:
On Capitol Hill, a Thirst for That ‘Heavenly Brew’
By Bill Broadway, Washington Post Staff Writer
Since introducing its own brand of lager this fall, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill has seen an influx of twenty- and thirty-somethings on Sunday mornings.
“I can’t say it’s a compelling reason,” Rector Paul Abernathy said when asked whether the addition of Winged Lion Lager to Sunday’s pub lunch menu had anything to do with the new faces at St. Mark’s.
But he acknowledged the coincidence and said with a smile, “I’ll find out.”
This got me thinking, being a beer lover myself. Here’s me with a Dutch dude at a beer tasting in Amsterdam:
Has the church helped or hurt in this area? I remember hearing a message by Mark Driscoll on alcohol (in fact I stole some of his research and thoughts for my message you can download on the left). One thing that he hammered home is that alcohol is seen as a sign of God’s blessing in the Bible. Now, yes, people misuse that gift, but as Martin Luther said, “Do you suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused? Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we then prohibit and abolish women?”
Now, enter the church. What do we do? At worse, we hold to a “prohibitionist” position. At best, we hold to either an “abstentionist” position or we say drinking is fine biblically with our words and deny it with our actions. I have to admit I have been in that position often. Afraid to order a beer with dinner because of what “people may think.”
I remember the church Grace and I got married in would not allow alcohol in the building. Not because they believe alcohol consumption is wrong, just because they don’t think you should drink in “God’s house.” Interesting stuff. Considering the church is not God’s house, but your body is. And in the OT, drink offerings were brought into the temple.
In Mars Hill (Mark Driscoll’s church), when they take communion, they offer the choice of real wine or grape juice. I like that a lot.
Just some stuff I am chewing on.
January 5th, 2005 at 3:50 pm
I’ve realized that I too have been afraid of what others will think about temperate consumption. But, Noel you inspired me to go and enjoy a drink; Irish cream, on the rocks…your posts have never been so delicious.
January 5th, 2005 at 3:51 pm
Those are some interesting thoughts, and I enjoyed hearing your perspectives in the “Behaved or Filled” message.
Personally, I have yet to find a morally and intellectually satisfying position on alcohol. I don’t drink and have no desire to, but I also don’t look down in any way on people who do.
I don’t think drinking in an of itself is evil, yet I can’t deny the destruction alcohol has caused and is currently causing in people’s lives. I can’t give you any numbers, but I’d have to think a large portion of the people who call themselves “casual drinkers” are for all practical purposes alcoholics.
On the other hand, alcohol flows freely in the Bible, and as you pointed out is often viewed as a sign of blessings from God.
I also get annoyed with people who feel the need to constantly talk about alcohol, their favorite drinks, etc. Just shut up and enjoy your beverage. I mean, I really like Jones soda, but I don’t feel the constant need to tell everyone about the merits of FuFu Berry.
January 5th, 2005 at 4:43 pm
You said “FuFu Berry.”
January 5th, 2005 at 5:25 pm
beer me…
January 5th, 2005 at 6:32 pm
Communion wine/grape juice, this came up in a discussion with a few Riverview people at Ignite, where does our church stand? Some people want to know…
January 6th, 2005 at 1:30 am
Have you thought about adding a keg to go along with the coffee and tea that is offered during service at Riverview? A full bar would be even better. It would probably be more ideal for the Saturday night service. Sunday morning might be a little too early for a drink.
January 7th, 2005 at 8:30 am
I can think of one reason/one word why the church “building” should not allow serving of alcohol (not including communion) ….LIABILITY.
January 7th, 2005 at 1:03 pm
Clint, tell that to the catholics, and you better not ever burn any candles if that is what you are worried about! :)
January 7th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
I’m a fellow beer lover myself Noel. And I have to agree with Adam’s post, in fact, we discussed this option before–I think we need to add a keg to the Saturday night service! Just have someone check the ID’s. Probably a good local Michigan microbrew would be perfect and support our communtiy at the same time! Caffeine is considered a stimulant, why not add a depressant!