hands making history

The Baptist Blurb - Mar. 26, 2009

Shot Glass Christianity?

In the Des Moines Register last Saturday, March 21, there was a front-page article entitled, “Pastor reaches out with shot glasses.” Glen Hansen pastors Cross Point United Methodist Church in Bondurant, IA, and has begun a new church ministry—sponsoring shot glasses at the local bar. Each shot glass has the church name and logo on one side, and “Give us a shot” with the phone number on the other. The patrons can also keep the shot glasses.

Would Jesus Christ approve? Would the disciples “reach out” like this?

I find this method of outreach controversial, offensive and misguided. You won’t find our church doing it. He claims, “I do things a little differently than other pastors.” Yeah, he’s right about that.

One main reason he likes his shot glass idea is that it might reach someone at their greatest point of need – when they are “drinking away” their problems. They just might notice the shot glass and the message on it – and give church a try.

He puts his foot in his mouth at the close of the article, when the writer poses a question:
“There is one thing Hanson hasn't figured out yet: What to say if his cell phone rings this weekend at 2 a.m., and it's someone asking the pastor for a ride home from the bar.
For now, he's going to turn his phone off when he goes to sleep.”

If the goal is to reach those without Christ, then why not be available 24/7?

While Christians are commanded to reach out to the lost and help to bring others to faith in Christ – we still need to maintain integrity and holiness.

I see at least four problems with this new method of outreach. For one, it encourages drinking. In the article he claims it doesn’t, but he’s wrong. The appearance is of sponsoring a drink, and encouraging the consumption of alcohol. Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led away by it is not wise.” In Ephesians 5:18, Paul says “Do not be drunk with wine…” Drinking alcohol, as well as getting drunk, are not Biblical nor allowable by God. Christians should have nothing to do with intoxicating drink, publically or privately.

Second, it is unwise. Colossians 4:4 says, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” There’s nothing wise about entering into a sinful atmosphere and promoting what God condemns. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 also says, “Test all things, hold fast to what is good.” Sponsoring alcohol fails the test of godliness every time.

Third, it is misguided. Some might argue in defense of this “outreach,” didn’t Paul make himself “all things to all men?” Yes, in 1 Cor. 9:22, he wrote. “I have become all things to all men, that I might by some means save some.” The eternal salvation of others is the goal, but by what means? Was Paul saying that he would do drugs, smoke, drink, be sexually immoral, etc? NO!
He was talking about refusing money from the Corinthian church, so as not to be linked with false teachers. He was also saying he was willing to observe Jewish religious holidays. Holy things, not sinful.

Fourth, it is sin. Paul wrote, “Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thess. 5:22) Yes, that means drinking alcohol, but it also includes encouraging it. You might be thinking, isn’t it harsh to call it sin? I don’t think so, for James 4:17 tells us, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Drinking alcohol is never allowable, and is sin that must be confessed and forsaken. If you drink, please stop right away and serve the Lord. I commend this man for his zeal, but his aim and application is quite misguided and he’ll have to answer to God one day about his “shot glass Christianity.”

What can we conclude? We must remember the aim – salvation. God sent His Son to earth to die for you. If you admit your sin, believe Christ died on the cross for you, and call on Him to save you, He will (Rom. 10:9-10, 13)! Eternal life can be yours!

Let’s be very careful in our application – how we do things. As we “test all things,” there are simply some methods that aren’t right. This is one of them.

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Summit & Walnut 784-3703
www.calvarybaptistwalnut.com
Pastor Aaron Hand