We live in a time where music is played nonstop. Think about it, it’s everywhere! From ten second elevator rides to the legless/homeless saxophone player outside of Busch Stadium, music is played everywhere.
Since music is heard every where, there is no limit to where concerts can be held. I personally have seen shows in arenas, coffee shops, churches, basketball courts, McDonald’s parking lot, houses, school gymnasiums, ice-cream shops, and parks.
Out of all the venues I visit, there is one that has caused people to question and judge me: bars. That’s right; I have been to the places with awesome neon signs and smoky bathrooms. To some of you, it’s no big deal. But to others, I’m hell bound. I mean how can a minister be in a bar? Bars = sin, right? Let’s talk about that for a bit.
I go to bars for music. It’s that simple. Many of the bands I like and support only play in bars. Not because they are alcoholics, but because they can’t sell out bigger venues. Bars actually do these bands a service and allow them to tour and play many live shows. It is small venues that help give bands a start.
Let’s get to the root of the issue, is it bad for Christians to go to bars? I know all about the arguments against going to bars because I have heard them many times. Many say that by going to a bar you are tempting yourself to drink and supporting others to drink. I understand these points and I do respect them but I don’t think they are necessarily valid. If you feel going to a bar tempts you to drink then I don’t want to see you at a Cardinals or Blues game. You’re just as tempted to drink there than at a bar. It’s actually easier at games because they bring it right to where you are sitting and you don’t have to move a muscle.
The same thing goes with the supporting others to drink argument. If that’s the case then going to a mall supports materialism and you shouldn’t ever go to one again.
The general reply to this is bars are centered around alcohol and sporting events aren’t. But just like a baseball game has more than baseballs, bars have more than alcohol. They actually have two of my favorite things: music and people. It’s at bars that I have heard great music and engaged in meaningful conversations. I managed to do all of this without doing anything wrong. I’m even certain some of the conversations made a difference. They wouldn’t have happened had I not been there.
I personally have made the decision to never drink. A drop of alcohol has never touched my tongue. It’s a personal choice. Not because drinking in itself is a sin, but because I know it would be harder for others to receive the gospel with a cold, refreshing Bud in my hand. It’s not necessarily right but its reality and I’ll roll with it. I’m not willing to ruin my effectiveness of teaching God’s love due to a simple drink.
On the flop, I do understand that for some people, bars aren’t the safest place to be. But Then again, restaurants aren’t the best for certain people either.
Some of you might question the style of music played at bars. Put it this way, even some Christian bands play in bars. Gasp! How can this be? But it’s true. Clearly this isn’t always the case, but then again, bad music is also played in “good” places.
One more thing I want to say is that I have seen more alcohol at concerts in the Scott Trade Center than I have in concerts at bars. Seriously, you would not believe the amount of alcohol at the Barry Manilow and Eagles concerts. I never saw more people my grandma’s age with beer in their hand. I guess Barry will do that to you.
I know some of these arguments are obnoxious and many will disagree but I just want you to think about it. Please don’t hear me wrong, my point is not to encourage people going to bars. I simply want to challenge your thoughts and find out where you stand? Do you think bars are places that people should stay away from? If you knew your minister went to a bar but didn’t drink, would you think less of him? Or is it no bid deal? Give me your thoughts!
January 12, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Okay, buster. What’s up with that crack about “my grandma’s age”? Worse yet was the implication, no, the out and out statement that Barry will drive one to drink. You’ll be home sometime, probably asking for a haircut. Think about it – and that old ‘paybacks are hell’ thing. Young whippersnapper!
But to the point – I think you have to do what your heart tells you to do when it comes to your ministry. Not every minister could fit in well enough to merge with folks in a bar-type setting. And goodness knows there are those in attendance there who could use a little counsel.
The range of folks in a bar is quite wide – both in age and in background. As an ER nurse, I see children coming in with alcoholic and drug addicted parents. Those kids often grow up in volatile environments and, despite the efforts of community, school and churches to educate those growing children about the dangers of overindulgence in alcohol and any contact with drugs, the fact is that, good or bad, a child’s parent is the strongest roll model in a child’s life.
However – the next strongest are his peers. If someone like Matt (you’ll recognize him – he’ll be the one with the funny haircut) can get inside their heads at a time in their lives when they haven’t yet ‘used’ long enough to have their lives and health devastated by the addiction, then there may be a chance to have a positive impact on them. One life turned around because Matt, or someone else like him, is there – showing the crowd that one doesn’t need to be drinking or wired on some other chemical substance to have fun – then an atmosphere of teaching has been established. If one person – only one – has his or her life improved because someone cared enough about that person to jump in and show her a better way to live her life, then Matt’s mission would be accomplished. Because I’ve seen the devastation of addiction. And I’d be warmed inside my soul to know that one of those folks is no longer lost.
So you rock on darlin’. Meet them where they are. It’s the best way to get their attention and just maybe someone will leave the place vowing to drink a little less the next time.
Love, Mamaw