Ambivalent. That is the feeling I think we all have when it comes to men’s ministry and alcohol. We see some benefits, but we also see significant problems.
My post on this subject a couple of weeks ago generated some great comments that reflect this ambivalence. Here they are for your edification.
Two excellent examples of a balanced approach to alcohol in the life of a Christian and in the life of a church:
- Consuming alcohol has allowed this man to be a good witness.
“Before I married [my wife], her Catholic family had an initial impression of me, that as a strong “Protestant”, I was likely anti-alcohol, and might be problematic. However, I was able to demonstrate that I was not going to condemn their perspective on alcohol, and that in moderation, I would consume some alcohol at family gatherings. They have never seen me intoxicated, nor have I been intoxicated for over 45 years. Also, on various ‘fishing trips’ with my brother-in-laws, I have been able to further discuss my scriptural understandings, not only about alcohol, but other areas of differences between Catholics and Protestants.”
- This church balances AA meetings with other meetings where alcohol is consumed.
“My church has hosted numerous AA meetings over the years, as well as supported and engaged with numerous local groups ministering to those dealing with addictions. But we also have a weekly men’s group called Pint ‘n Ponder which meets in local bar/restaurants to discuss what God is doing in their lives, and it is stressed that this is not just a hangout type meeting.”
But there are legitimate concerns about men’s ministry and alcohol
- Alcohol in the church can be a slippery slope.
“Consuming alcohol is far different from going to movies or contemporary Christian music. You don’t see people on skid row as a result of the latter two. However, many are there because of alcoholism. Drinking is a slippery slope.”
- Christian gatherings can lose their distinctiveness.
“I see your point Herb, but I have some concerns. When I led a singles ministry, we banned alcohol out of respect for those in the group that might struggle with alcohol addiction. The person who took over that ministry removed the restriction, and I heard complaints that the alcohol consumption regularly exceeded what could be called ”moderation”, and the “Christian” singles gatherings were no different from secular singles events.”
- Then there is the proven genetic link to alcoholism.
“I’m a family physician, and we now know that alcoholism (and in fact many substance abuse disorders) have a strong genetic component. (no such association for movies or rock and roll). The only “drinker” I knew as a child was my father’s older brother who was rarely sober from age 15 to 60 (when he met a woman who lead him to Jesus, and freedom from his drinking). As a young teen I had no interest in alcohol, because I though if you drank at all you would smell and act like my Uncle Kenny. As a medical student I learned that I likely carried genes that put me at risk for alcoholism. I agree with your challenge to be salt and light wherever we can be, but I am hesitant to be that salt on the edge of the margarita if it would embolden someone like me to take a risk that might turn out badly. I applaud your willingness to reconsider, but would point out that, at least for Nazarenes, our roots of non drinking come from a history (at least in the West) of having such a large number of our folk being alcoholics — and concern for the other, not judgement.”
- And what about the church’s liability?
Someone emailed me with the following question: If a church holds something like a beer festival and serves someone who gets drunk, then leaves and kills someone in a car crash, can the church be held liable?
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In conclusion, I’d like to make a few more comments of my own.
— Let’s admit that alcohol is already a problem in every church, even in the most strict. It’s just that in many churches, the problem is individual, hidden, and unaddressed.
— If you don’t drink, don’t start. I have no plans to start drinking alcohol.
— All churches should do some clear biblical teaching on alcohol and should provide practical guidance on the use or non-use of alcohol in their meetings.
— If alcohol is allowed in church meetings, then the church should be willing and prepared to confront its misuse in its meetings, which probably will happen, as it did in the early church. (And yet the early church did not prohibit alcohol.)
— Churches should always be aware of problem drinkers and provide counseling services for them and perhaps alternative alcohol-free church gatherings as well.
This debate will continue. But I can guarantee one thing: many conservative Christians are already drinking alcohol, just not in front of each other.
This post first appeared in New Commandment.org.
Since 2003 New Commandment Men’s Ministries has helped hundreds of churches throughout North America and around the world recruit teams of men who permanently adopt widows, single moms and fatherless children in their congregations for the purpose of donating two hours of service to them one Saturday morning each month. We accomplish this with a free training site called New Commandment Men’s Ministry Learn how to mobilize your men’s ministry to meet every pressing need in your church at newcommandment.org.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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