Church like a bar
Charles Swindoll (Pastor and author of many books) shared a story about an old army buddy who had become a Christian. The man said, “You know Chuck, I still miss that old fellowship I used to have with all the guys. I remember how we used to sit around and laugh and tell stories and let our hair down. I could admit my faults and talk about my battles. I really miss my old neighbor-hood bar!”
Isn’t that thought provoking?
The typical bar dispenses liquor instead of grace, provides temporary escape and superficial relationships. But you can’t shock people there. The atmosphere there is accepting and inclusive.
The bar flourishes not because most people are alcoholics, but because God put into the human heart the desire to know and be known, and to love and be loved.
In my last sermon at NLV I asked folks if they would help make NLV a place that is full of “unshockable” and accepting people, a place where people can come in and say, “I am being beaten up. There is this thing that is getting the better of me. But don’t despise me for being weak, for being fearful, for being a loser. Show and tell me what you have got in this person, Jesus!”