So I was perusing the headlines of Fox News and saw this small article about a barroom church in Ohio and I was, well, dry heaving. The Apostle Paul’s words were probably taken out of context here… be all things to all men (1 Cor 9:22). Reading the article below will put the issue in a nutshell for you.
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SIDNEY, Ohio — Another round and amen! Beer was on tap and a mechanical bull inspired the sermon as a new church held its inaugural service in a western Ohio bar. The Country Rock Church drew about 100 people to Sunday night’s meeting at the Pub Lounge in Sidney, 35 miles north of Dayton. The barroom church is an offshoot of Sidney United First Methodist Church, whose head pastor says he’s been looking for creative ways to reach people in unconventional places. The church’s Web site for its new branch advertises "Top regional bands, pizza, wings, rowdy fun & a short message." The Rev. Chris Heckaman says people really seemed to enjoy themselves so he expects the Country Rock Church will meet weekly. Heckaman’s sermon compared staying on the bar’s mechanical bull to learning how to get along in life. |
I am all for reaching the lost and fullfilling the great commission, but this is not what I believe God instends. Location alone is not the real issue here, and the fact that there was a mechanical bull could be easily be overlooked. The reason for this being rwong is that the gospel is not really being presented. The gospel is not about "Your Happy Life Right Now" or "How To Succeed In This Life", the gospel is about us being falt out sinners, and destined for hell without a Savior.
The man who is tossing back some cold beers while someone speaks to them about holding on to the bull is like making it through life will not decide he needs Jesus desperately. After the motivational speach about bull riding the drunk man wants to get his turn on the mechanical bull, not go bnded knee before the Most Holy God.
The bible tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus was holy, is holy, and always will be holy. I always here the argument that Jesus used to hang out with tax collectors, prostitutes, and the worst of sinners. This is pratially true, Jesus came for the sick so that they may be healed! Jesus did not come to drink beer, ride mechanical bulls, and give parables that amounted to foolish talk.
When Jesus spoke people would choose that day what they believed about Him. Jesus’ words cut to the heart, and He was clear that no one will come to the Father except through Him. He did not tell Peter and the apostles to go to the brothels and hold outreaches of good deeds, but go into all the world preaching the gospel, baptizing, and discipling.
Paul said it clearly to the church:
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another… But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:12, 16-26
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ… One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:1-2, 6-8
I only pray that the entire Body of Christ, especially pastors and leaders, make clear distinctions between bearing one another’s burdens and sowing to the flesh.
#1 by Todd Miller on April 22, 2008 - 9:29 pm
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As a member of the church that has started the church in the bar, I say “Right On!” to your post. You are absolutely correct and our church is right there with you.
There is so much of this story that has not shown up in the media.
Our goal is to meet people where they’re at. If that means we listen to country rock with them, have a little fun, and perhaps even take a ride on a mechanical bull, then that’s just part of it.
If along the way, and we believe this will happen or else God would never have opened the doors for this ministry, we encounter folks who want to start or re-engage their own faith journey, we will be there to provide one-on-one discipling as well as the love and support they are craving.
That’s it.
#2 by Joshua Moran on April 23, 2008 - 12:07 am
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Todd,
Thanks for your response. I am glad I actually got someone from the church itself to respond to my post. As for what you said, if you are for the full gospel than I will pray that your ministry flourishes and does that.
As for the “beer on tap” is that really true? That part is hard to explain away. I have seen bars used as churches and be successful, but usually they shut down the alcohol during the service time itself.
Thanks for adding to the discussion.
#3 by Todd Miller on April 23, 2008 - 2:18 am
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I agree and I hear you regarding the alcohol sales. However, I hate to say it but the folks we’re trying to reach … those who we really want to come alongside over time and engage in what will hopefully be transformational discipling, would never hang around if alcohol wasn’t being served. They’d go across the street to the other nightspot in town. We’d completely lose our opportunity to be in front of them.
Hopefully, over time, will we be able to change this? Sure. But for right now, that is how it is.
I think that this whole thing has been portrayed in the media as “another worshipping congregation.” Perhaps we have even communicated that idea ourselves to some degree. That really isn’t quite the case.
Fact is, make no mistake about it … at its core, this is an evangelistic move … a bold one … but this is all about engaging folks who otherwise are probably never going to be engaged with the Word and love of God.
I do not mean to suddenly sound judgmental because that is one thing we very much do not want to be but these are folks who in many cases come from generations of destructive behavior and they are in the midst of passing it on to the next generation unless they can be reached for God.
This whole thing was approached and developed very prayerfully. God opened doors and paved the way to make it happen. At that point we could not deny Him the possibility of reaching folks who He loves ever so much.
Keep up the great work, Joshua. All out for Jesus, man, all out for Jesus!