Tuesday, April 22, 2008
COUNTRY ROCK CHURCH UPDATE
Yes, I attended the inaugural ride of Country Rock Church this past Sunday evening. A good time was had by all.
I believe that about 120 people were there. (I have heard numbers from 100 to 140 so I am just picking something in the middle.)
Afterward, I went through our church directory and counted 65 people from our usual faithful who were there. A number of other people were who I would call "gawkers" -- folks from other area churches -- were there. And I also saw a few folks who seemed to be living a "cowboy" lifestyle who wanted to check things out.
I believe that Sunday evenings typically see a thin crowd at The Pub so there were not a lot of "regulars" there. It would be cool to see us supplement things maybe by having a few folks go to The Pub on weeknights to hang out a bit. Perhaps that could reach a few and get them to come check things out on Sunday evening. I'd be interested in that but it would take some encouragement. I see evangelism as a necessary part of my Christianity but I also see it as an area where I am not spiritually gifted. Man, I admire those who are!
And, for those who are wondering, the bar was open but, overall, I would say that The Pub has probably never before sold so many cans of Pepsi in one evening. They sold a few pizzas and wings, too.
This whole story hit the AP yesterday so hundreds of papers across the country have now run short blurbs on it. That is cool but it's not why we're doing this. I suspect that Chris is up to his eyeballs in calls from reporters across the country now.
I have been following some of the comments popping up on the internet associated with this story. Most people are very supportive. Some are not. And I do appreciate their points. Particularly for folks who perhaps come from personally destructive backgrounds, I can see how they would be uncomfortable with this whole idea.
One thing I was thinking about, though, for those who see this as being sacrilegious: Would you support a prison ministry? I suspect that most people would say that, yes, jail and prison ministry is a good thing. How is ministering, on their own ground, to those who are imprisoned by their own behavior, lifestyle, demons, and "stinking thinking" any different?
I believe that about 120 people were there. (I have heard numbers from 100 to 140 so I am just picking something in the middle.)
Afterward, I went through our church directory and counted 65 people from our usual faithful who were there. A number of other people were who I would call "gawkers" -- folks from other area churches -- were there. And I also saw a few folks who seemed to be living a "cowboy" lifestyle who wanted to check things out.
I believe that Sunday evenings typically see a thin crowd at The Pub so there were not a lot of "regulars" there. It would be cool to see us supplement things maybe by having a few folks go to The Pub on weeknights to hang out a bit. Perhaps that could reach a few and get them to come check things out on Sunday evening. I'd be interested in that but it would take some encouragement. I see evangelism as a necessary part of my Christianity but I also see it as an area where I am not spiritually gifted. Man, I admire those who are!
And, for those who are wondering, the bar was open but, overall, I would say that The Pub has probably never before sold so many cans of Pepsi in one evening. They sold a few pizzas and wings, too.
This whole story hit the AP yesterday so hundreds of papers across the country have now run short blurbs on it. That is cool but it's not why we're doing this. I suspect that Chris is up to his eyeballs in calls from reporters across the country now.
I have been following some of the comments popping up on the internet associated with this story. Most people are very supportive. Some are not. And I do appreciate their points. Particularly for folks who perhaps come from personally destructive backgrounds, I can see how they would be uncomfortable with this whole idea.
One thing I was thinking about, though, for those who see this as being sacrilegious: Would you support a prison ministry? I suspect that most people would say that, yes, jail and prison ministry is a good thing. How is ministering, on their own ground, to those who are imprisoned by their own behavior, lifestyle, demons, and "stinking thinking" any different?
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5 Comments:
Todd,
Thanks for commenting on my blog today, and sorry if I seemed so strong against the idea of the barroom church.
I do struggle with the open bar period, but your post helps the minds of believers who may have only got a small blurb from the AP today.
I will personally pray for the ministry to be a light in the dark, and see souls saved. I personally would not embark on the idea itself, but I am called to different areas of ministry.
Keep us up to date when you can!
Thanks much, Joshua!
Jesus promised that those who follow him faithfully will fac persecution. I am sure it has been a tough week for your pastor and congregation, but we'll just trust that God is using this publicity to catch the eyes and ears of someone ready to hear the Good News y'all have to share at the Pub Lounge.
peace,
Frank
Thanks so much, Frank.
I am not so sure that your analogy about prison ministry works. Folks who are locked up have no choice. As for the church in a pub I think it goes too far. Where do we stop? Would church in a gay bar be ok?
I guess for me it's more important that I understand the Church and and work to preserve its sanctity instead of having the church follow every fad that comes along.
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