Is Beer a Barrier to the Unchurched?

We all want to fit in. We all want to belong.

Think back to when you were in elementary school or even high school. Everyone had at least one experience when they didn’t fit in. How did that make you feel? Maybe you didn’t wear the same brand of clothes as other people did or maybe you had different interests than others. Since you didn’t fit in, you didn’t belong. You didn’t feel loved.

Churches spend a lot of time and money finding ways to grow their church and make their church feel more welcoming but we are currently ignoring a very large barrier to the unchurched. The barrier reads “if you like beer, you won’t fit in.” When you don’t fit in, you won’t want to be there. I believe this message took root in the 1920’s when the government made alcohol illegal. The church took the stand during this public debate that alcohol was of the devil. As the government amended the constitution to make alcohol illegal, the church amended the 10 Commandments to include “Thou shall not drink alcohol.” The church also began explaining to people that Jesus wasn’t really drinking wine, he was drinking grape juice. You laugh, but it’s true. Why do you think that churches have grape juice for communion now instead of wine?

I’ve heard friends say, “I can’t have a beer at this restaurant because someone from the church might see me.” How hypocritical is that?!? Does it matter? The only reason you would do that is because you feel that people in your church would judge you and exclude you from their clique. This is simply putting on a mask because you want to belong. This is not the type of behavior we should be encouraging at church.

Find ways to get rid of this barrier or any other barrier at your church. Often the signs that you are excluding people are very subtle and entrenched in your behavior. One thing that we are doing at our church is having a Karaoke Night at a popular bar. This is an event on the church calendar not kept underground. We have over 20 people signed up to go and I know more people will show up. Many people at our church have friends that don’t come to church because their friends don’t feel like they will fit in at church. So we go to where they are and have a great time with them. When they see how much fun we are having at a bar they are shocked to find out we all go to church. This is what Jesus did. He loved people where they were. He didn’t put up barriers….He actually came to destroy those barriers. Why are churches so afraid to do this?

What are some of your ideas on how to break down barriers to the unchurched?

Disclaimer: I’m not going to spend time in this post on when it’s ok to drink and not drink or debating common arguments. Here’s a good article on that from Mars Hill Church.