Featured Pub Night Fellowship

Thanks for sharing this. I was beginning to think maybe there were some out there who did not have to deal with the death and destruction alcohol has caused in this world. My learned view is that it just isn't necessary for good fellowship, too much misery, so I encourage abstinence. My wife and I and friends have great times together without it, so I say what's the point of giving satan a tool to wield against us. :wavey:

 

Personally, I know of two churches (one Presbyterian and one Baptist) that have "pub" groups. One meets for lunch every Tuesday at a local pub for fellowship and Bible study. The other meets at a local pub after Wednesday evening service just to hang out and get to know each other.

 

Growing up as a PK, I've had more than my share of casseroles, jello with fruit, etc. to last a lifetime. Normally, the same people bring the same dish and sit with the same group of friends that have know each other since 1970, etc. However, lately I've seen very interesting twists on this, including:

Food Trucks - A great way to try to different foods.
Catered Meals - Some have fees and others have been "underwritten" by someone or a company. But you don't have to bring anything.
Picnics - Outdoor eating is always much more casual and lends itself to more real conversations.
"Foodie" Sunday - A twist on the covered dish aproach.
KidZones - Where the litle ones can stay, eat and play so that the adults can truly fellowship, in concert with any of the above.
Casual/Sport Team Sunday - Again, in concert with any of the above -where it is OK to dress a little more casual.

In addition, the last time we had one of the above, the pastor specifically addressed meeting new people during lunch -- especially people who are different from you -- different age group, race, ethnicity, language, etc.

 

I am a substance abuse counselor (now retired) and I will say it took her much longer to progress back into drunkenness than it would most alcoholic's. She DID hide it well. We have a saying in my profession: 'Once a pickle, never a cucumber again'. The problem I see with having this kind of venue for fellowship is that it may encourage people in recovery to feel the need to be in an atmosphere they normally would avoid. We have another saying: 'If you don't want to slip don't go where it is slippery.' Another problem is that if people in recovery turn down repeated request to 'come on out and fellowship with us' they may also, out of the necessity to be honest, 'out' themselves as a person in recovery. Personally, I have been in recovery for many years and don't mind if people know. In fact it is a big part of my testimony. God is the one that relieved the obsession to drink and I will always be grateful to Him for bringing me out of that pit.

 

Honestly, in the recovery field I've watched more miracles over the years as a result of people turning their will & lives over to the care of the Lord. It is a tremendous testimony. I also have noticed that those of us who have some years of recovery not having a problem entering taverns, bars, etc or sharing with others what God has done for us and our addictions. In fact, a lot of 12th step work goes on that way. I just never recommend the former to someone in early recovery. Drinking (any drug for that matter) is, as your wife says, a choice.

 

A social drink may be a choice; but drinking to be sociable is a step to addiction. Addicts are not choosing; they have a psychological and physiological disease which has destroyed a multitude of families.

Little good has ever come from a drink of whiskey. The social negatives far outweigh anything positive.

"Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging" is still a valid admonition.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

I agree that those in active addiction have a physiological and psychological dependency that makes their use and abuse of chemical substances more of a necessity than a choice. However, once an alcoholic (addict) has detoxed and has started into recovery any return to active addiction is a matter of choice. I choose each day not to drink. Each day I hit my knees in the morning and ask the Lord for the grace to make it another day sober. When I reached the 3rd step in 12 step recovery God relieved the obsession to drink. The steps are essential for most alcoholics and addicts to sustain recovery. I don't know very many who have sustained recovery by way of 'deliverance' ministries. Not saying it doesn't happen, but working a program of recovery is the way it works for most of us.

"Little good has ever come from a drink of whiskey. The social negatives far outweigh anything positive." Tend to agree!

 

While I may seem a borderline T-totaler, I enjoy a bit of Mogen David in private--never public--it causes too many to stumble, making public drinking a sin. Further, one oz. of alcohol can make some legally DUI.

Having lived and worked with alcoholics for at least 50 years, I may have made some valid observations--most alcoholics are in denial.

Attend some AA meetings and subscribe to the MADD newsletter.

This is not about what is wrong with a thing but rather: What is right with it?

We have been having trouble with fermented spirits ever since Noah planted a vineyard. Apparently his Welch's caused him to go lala without a proper tunic--the world is still suffering. Noah needed a lot of grace too.

Biggest problem with this issue: Many Baptist church covenants forbid the sale or use of alcoholic beverage. This makes for a lot of hippocrites--those of us who sip a glass of wine in private.

"Whatsoever is not of faith-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------is sin."

Now what?

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

Sorry for the absence, my computer goes haywire ever so often and locks up. I have to consistently force it to shut down and then restart it sometimes for days until it ramps up again. Today it finally gave in, lol.

Thanks for the invite brother, appreciate it. Things are well with us praise the Lord! I walk by faith and by Grace each day :thumbsup:

God speed!

 

Earth, Wind & Fire

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

What guard?16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.

you cannot enjoy the fellowship of believers discussing God and his word,without a few beers???

Does scripture suggest this?

So .....Should i go to a topless bar,and instead of singles,put tracts in the girls g-string???

God had this complaint in Ezkiels day;
26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things:

they have put no difference between the holy and profane,

neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean,

and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

 

I've had a problem with alcohol and gambling in the past. Gambling was primarily in pool halls, but later poker rooms also.

When I was in my 20s, my mom would harp on me to stay out of "Satan's house" (pool halls). In my 30s I almost lived in a pool hall, always looking for a game. Even though I was there primarily to gamble, I often had talks with people about Christ. I never looked at the gambling as a sin, figuring I was simply using my skills to earn a living, much like a wall street investor "gambles" the market to make his living.

I rarely play anymore, and especially not for money.

The church I attend now has a men's fellowship periodically on Friday nights, where we meet at the church to pray, address our responsibilities in the church from scriptural gleanings, and then out for an evening of pool.

The first time I was told about it, I laughed and told them about my mom's words to me. The pastor looked confused and asked me what's so bad about going to play pool. I told him about the gambling I've done, and he said he was totally oblivious to the degree of gambling that goes on in pool halls.

Not everyone sees the same venues in the same light. It sometimes depends on our own background.

As for a bar - even though I once had a problem with drinking, I am not a preacher of abstinence. Every adult is responsible for knowing himself and whether or not it's ok for him. There are plenty of people who look down on a certain establishment as being the "house of the devil"

If Satan's House is where sinners are, then every church would be Satan's House.

In the town I moved from, there's a believer who spent time in jail. For what I do not know. But he got a lot of tattoos while in jail, and became fond of them. He opened a tattoo shop in town, and shortly after felt that God was calling him to start a church in his shop. So that's what he did.

There are quite a few "crazy" looking people who like him and his church. They've got tattoos all over them, big holes in their ear lobes, and just look weird to many people. They wouldn't have a chance in the Southern Baptist church I was at. Too stuffy, too many Fringe Fundamentalists to be judged by, and the idea of a boring potluck dinner isn't appealing to them. The bottom line is that they feel accepted in that little tattoo shop, and they hear the word of God. They fellowship with people who they "get" and they're not in a hurry to get out the door after "service" is over.

Back to the drinking, I used to really like the taste of wine coolers. About a year ago, I was helping my brother-in-law paint their house one weekend. I was running a spray rig on trim and ceilings, and had worked about 14 hours on Saturday. I went into the garage about 1am to see if they had a soda in the fridge, but there was none. But, they had two wine coolers. I thought "Man, I sure am thirsty. I would prefer a soda, but that cold sine cooler sure would go down nicely right about now."

So I popped one open and took a sip. MAN, was that good. I forgot all about the alcohol content, and chugged it like soda. I went and got the other one and drank it the same way, because I was thirsty. I had no inclination to get drunk, but considering that I hadn't had a drink in several years, I got buzzed in a hurry. My sister came out and sat in a chair next to me, and I told her that I was buzzing form those drinks.

She said she couldn't believe I was drinking. I confessed that I was glad there were only two, because I just might have gone for a third, and maybe fourth. There was beer available in that garage I was in, but I don't like the taste. So I passed. And I haven't had a drink since that night.

I guess the bottom line for me is that the establishment is not what makes the drunk, or the gambler, or the tattoo enthusiast. And the establishment is not what makes one a Christian, either.

Those who are led by the Spirit will be led by the Spirit wherever beer is sold, or wherever pool is played. And those who are in the flesh will be in the flesh...even if they're in church