Angela Caddell started struggling with her Christianity 14 years ago when she came out as gay. But a gathering at a bar to talk faith over a cold beer once a month is helping her feel more connected to her religion.
“If you’re an atheist you are welcome. …. I’m a lesbian, I’m totally welcome,” said the 32-year-old from nearby Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, at a recent gathering.
“Tonight we’re talking about scapegoating. There is no scapegoating that happens here.”
This event is called “Jesus & Beer” and it’s part of an effort by some Christian groups throughout the country to recruit parishioners, connect with people struggling with faith or provide a relaxed outlet to talk religion.
Caddell heard about the event through Brandon Brown, pastor at CollectiveMKE. He started the gatherings once a month at area bars about 1½ years ago. He doesn’t have a stand-alone church and knew that his non-traditional gatherings wouldn’t attract social conservatives. About two dozen people attend.
“I think it also completely unsettles everyone’s expectations in that they know what it is to talk about their faith in a church but most people have never done it in a bar so it’s a totally new environment and maybe fresh,” Brown said. “In addition to that, I’ll be honest: a beer or two doesn’t hurt the conversation at all.”
While bringing people together to throw one back and talk religion isn’t a new idea, groups have been turning to the non-traditional pub setting to attract younger people such as millennials. According to a Pew Research Center study, the number of U.S. adults who are affiliated with an organized religion dropped from 83 percent in 2007 to 77 percent in 2014, a trend particularly striking in the millennial generation.
That younger group is the focus of a monthly bar event organized by the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, said Emily Burds, the Catholic church’s Director of Evangelization. Besides a free beer, there’s usually a meet and greet, a speaker and discussion.
About 60 to 70 people come each month to the “Brewing the Faith” gatherings, which Burds sees as a “means to an end.”
“Obviously the end is like greater faith and a relationship with God but also to be connected to a parish community somewhere where they are living,” Burds said.
During the summer they also organize “Theology on Tap,” a lecture series that has spread worldwide after starting with the Archdioceses of Chicago in 1981. It involves bars or restaurants and targets younger people.
Burds said they trained some young adults in mingling skills to make sure everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging — “what every millennial really is searching for,” Burds said.
It worked for James Wronski, 22, a new Milwaukee resident who attended a beer garden event.
“I think this kind of relaxed social atmosphere where you come, you meet people, you drink, you relax and you kind of learn and educate yourself, that’s a big draw to millennials.”
But alcohol certainly isn’t new to Catholicism, with wine being an integral part of the sacrament of Holy Communion, said Rev. John Laurance, associate professor of theology at Marquette University.
“You know one of the Psalms says, ‘God gave wine to cheer up people’s hearts,’ so even the prayer book of the Old Testament sees that this is a gift from God,” Laurance said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Just a note to Rev. John Laurance. Please do not cherry pick the Scripture as you and I both are accountable to GOD. Look in Proverbs 31. I will not put all of the verses in since it only takes a few minutes to read the entire chapter, however I will quote verses 6 and 7. Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. You see, I am not an encourager of alcohol, smoking weed or any form of something that can (in excess) change my thought process. Proven fact is that when drinking or getting even lightly high a person will do many things they would not do without the substance. An alcoholic could come to church and be brought back to his old world. I would never want that on my concience. For me, and that is for me, I do not believe that the end justifies the means. I shall stick to Jesus’ thoughts and ways. May GOD bless you in all your endeavers…
I’ve seen a lot of people ruin their lives with alcohol. I don’t think it is wise for a church to legitimize alcohol usage as part of a worship experience. I’ve heard former drinkers who have come to Christ talk about being freed from alcohol. I don’t think beer is conducive to Bible study.
While a psalm may seem to suggest that drinking is okay, God told Moses that the priests were to abstain from alcohol during the time period they were performing their priestly duties so that they might know the difference between right and wrong. Alcohol impairs judgement. God knew that and we would be wise to learn the same thing.
Much difference between Christianity or being a Christian.
True believers are not proud of sin, let alone sin described as worthy of death according to Blibical law.
Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.
Clearly not the case here.
God forgive America as a Nation.
God says , if my people who are called by my name will turn from their wicked ways humble themselves and seek my face then will I hear from Heaven and heal their land.
A Christian can also be the reason someone rejects Christ and salvation.
Don’t let that be you, and God forgive me.
Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding . Beer and wine are creations of our Father in Heaven. It is up to each individual to consume them responsibly ….the same as food …which can also be addictive. Do we not have food around when we discuss the Bible and Christian faith ? Ice Cream and cookies can also be emotionally tempting to obese people. Yes, the beer hall setting may not be the best for all people but they don’t have to attend that particular faith gathering. For people who consume alcoholic beverages responsibly and want to meet and discuss the Bible and Jesus Christ …why not ? My church has a mens retreat every year where we get together for a weekend in the mountains and drink cold beer and bourbon …responsibly…while we discuss our faith and study the Bible in fellowship . We also have great food as well so it involves all kinds of temptations and may not be the best setting for all …. but for many it is and is an enjoyable experience as we grow our faith.
DUMB, STUPID, IDOTS!
What’s more important: personal preferences or the Word of God in context?
Drinking wine is NOT a sin. Where does it say in the bible say that it’s a sin?
Many things people call a lot of things sin that is not. The bible tell us that if we lay around drunk that we’ll become poor but it does not declare that it’s a sin.
I don’t drink case closed!!!!!
I don’t drink …..case closed!!!!!