041: Bars and Beers

March 28, 2010
Mark 2:13-17, John 2:1-12, Romans 12, 14, 1 Corinthians 9

At the ripe, old age of 22, I have only been into a handful of bars in the US (overseas is another matter – bars and restaurants seem to be virtually interchangeable, and the name “bar” is synonymous with the best cappuccini and cornetti in Italy). I didn’t go into one until after I was 21, and to be honest, I haven’t really been in a position to feel like I need to enter a bar frequently.

Last night the post-wedding festivities commenced at one of the groomsmen’s houses for left over spaghetti, and then migrated to a local bar. As the Maid of Honor and dependant on other people for my mobility, I went with the group.

Sometimes I ponder what my response and the church in general’s response should be to the “issue” of drinking. I have my own convictions that I hold in regards to alcohol, and they are what some would consider quite liberal, and others claim are quite conservative. I won’t share the specifics, but I do wonder why I feel like I’ve grown up feeling that bars are “wrong.” My parents hold similar beliefs to me – albeit slightly more conservative just because of lifestyle choice and preferences – but they are not strongly judgmental people. So why did I feel so awkward and out of place the first couple times I went into bars?

I had a friend that took me to a bar last summer, and something he said was quite striking at the time and has stuck with me since. As a person who has grown up in the church, when I feel the need to socialize or be around other people, I tend to attend church functions – whether that be church itself, youth group, college group, singles group, Bible study, or go to the local coffee shops where all the church people hang out. Those are the areas where I feel comfortable.

For people who have not grown up in the church, they might feel most comfortable and places like bars. For them, bars are the “social living room” of their community. They don’t necessarily have the vast array of support networks that are usually available in a church, so they seek out people and conversations at the local bar, over a pint of beer or jack and coke.

These two chapters in Romans throw me for a bit of a curve ball, along with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians. What should my response be to the drinking/bar issue? Christians fall all across the board – some are fine with going to bars and having alcohol, while others seem to freak out at the very mentioning of the word “beer.” What are my responsibilities to be caring and gentle toward people who disagree with my convictions? Am I living a double life if I have no problem going to a bar and having a drink, but trying to not offend people who think that’s sinful? I don’t want to hide who I am and what I do, I want to live with integrity, honest and true throughout my conduction and convictions and character… but if I’m convinced of something, and other people aren’t, how do I handle that?

I do know that I don’t want to judge people for going to bars, whether Christian or non-Christian, because I think there is pretty great ministry opportunity sitting at the counter with someone who needs to talk and is seeking out a place to find a friend. I’m all about making new friends!