Thread: New church holds service in bar to reach new people

SIDNEY, Ohio - Another round and amen! Beer was on tap and a mechanical bull inspired the sermon as a new church held its inaugural service in a western Ohio bar.
The Country Rock Church drew about 100 people to Sunday night's meeting at the Pub Lounge in Sidney, 35 miles north of Dayton.
The barroom church is an offshoot of Sidney United First Methodist Church, whose head pastor says he's been looking for creative ways to reach people in unconventional places.
The church's Web site for its new branch advertises, "Top regional bands, pizza, wings, rowdy fun & a short message."
The Rev. Chris Heckaman says people really seemed to enjoy themselves so he expects the Country Rock Church will meet weekly.
Heckaman's sermon compared staying on the bar's mechanical bull to learning how to get along in life.

Any thoughts? opcorn:

That's bloody brilliant, now all they have to do is exclude women and meet during football games.

Originally Posted by Sparta

That's bloody brilliant, now all they have to do is exclude women and meet during football games.

I was looking for constructive criticism or favor but thanks for your response.

You don't have to thank me, it's an open board. When you ask for any thoughts that's what youre going to get.

Constructive criticism, ok. I think it's a wonderfull idea. Stories and beer go great together. Also, I think it's super rad that the sermons are inspired by things in the bar room, so when a chick walks through the door with fantastic cans Chris can start in about Mount Sinai.

its strange, but so loong as they dont attract any drunks etc, im sure theyll be fine.... i mean WHO gets drunk at a bar?

If the Preacher is on the word, beer, or music won't affect anything negatively. Besides, dressing up in our Sunday best and putting on a show of perfection and forcing a smile is so fake.

The real spiritual health goes with you everywhere including to the grocery store at 7:00am when you have bed head and you hope you see no one.

If the type of music, or the type or people at a service bother you that means you're spiritual balance is off, you're being too judgemental. Then, Dr Goldwater recommends getting to know these folks and concentrate on the things you have in common, not the differences.

Originally Posted by freecell

SIDNEY, Ohio - Another round and amen! Beer was on tap and a mechanical bull inspired the sermon as a new church held its inaugural service in a western Ohio bar.
The Country Rock Church drew about 100 people to Sunday night's meeting at the Pub Lounge in Sidney, 35 miles north of Dayton.
The barroom church is an offshoot of Sidney United First Methodist Church, whose head pastor says he's been looking for creative ways to reach people in unconventional places.
The church's Web site for its new branch advertises, "Top regional bands, pizza, wings, rowdy fun & a short message."
The Rev. Chris Heckaman says people really seemed to enjoy themselves so he expects the Country Rock Church will meet weekly.
Heckaman's sermon compared staying on the bar's mechanical bull to learning how to get along in life.

Any thoughts? opcorn:

Why do they bother pretending to be a (presumably) Christian Church? Sounds like this "reverend" just wanted an excuse to drink and party.

Originally Posted by Defensor

Why do they bother pretending to be a (presumably) Christian Church? Sounds like this "reverend" just wanted an excuse to drink and party.

I see this as an example if the way Christ went to the people instead of making them come to him. Even though they did come to Him also. Nothing un-Christian about it except the audience they are speaking to. Sounds lie a good way to break out of the fishbowl effect we have in churches today.Do the well need a doctor?

Originally Posted by freecell

SIDNEY, Ohio - Another round and amen! Beer was on tap and a mechanical bull inspired the sermon as a new church held its inaugural service in a western Ohio bar.
The Country Rock Church drew about 100 people to Sunday night's meeting at the Pub Lounge in Sidney, 35 miles north of Dayton.
The barroom church is an offshoot of Sidney United First Methodist Church, whose head pastor says he's been looking for creative ways to reach people in unconventional places.
The church's Web site for its new branch advertises, "Top regional bands, pizza, wings, rowdy fun & a short message."
The Rev. Chris Heckaman says people really seemed to enjoy themselves so he expects the Country Rock Church will meet weekly.
Heckaman's sermon compared staying on the bar's mechanical bull to learning how to get along in life.

Any thoughts? opcorn:

I think churches would probably attract more people if they actually had a real thing to worship instead of the imaginary sky fairy.

Originally Posted by freecell

SIDNEY, Ohio - Another round and amen! Beer was on tap and a mechanical bull inspired the sermon as a new church held its inaugural service in a western Ohio bar.
The Country Rock Church drew about 100 people to Sunday night's meeting at the Pub Lounge in Sidney, 35 miles north of Dayton.
The barroom church is an offshoot of Sidney United First Methodist Church, whose head pastor says he's been looking for creative ways to reach people in unconventional places.
The church's Web site for its new branch advertises, "Top regional bands, pizza, wings, rowdy fun & a short message."
The Rev. Chris Heckaman says people really seemed to enjoy themselves so he expects the Country Rock Church will meet weekly.
Heckaman's sermon compared staying on the bar's mechanical bull to learning how to get along in life.

Any thoughts? opcorn:

Excellent idea. I used to recruit softball players from surrounding Bar league teams to play for my church team. Some may call it "Loading up", I just called it "Outreach"...