Why is Theology on Tap so important? Isn’t just young people getting together to drink beer? Why should a church support this, let alone sponsor it?
I’m sure that these are questions that might be running through your mind, or if not through your mind, through the minds of others who might think that church should stay within its bounds. Well…here’s why Theology on Tap is so important, even necessary to the life of a church in the 21st century. The church needs to be relevant. The church needs to embrace the culture. We can’t be so into ourselves that we don’t recognize the world that we live in.
So the reason why Fairview Community Church is at Karl Strauss Brewery every other Thursday night is because we know that we need to get out into the world of our culture! We know that going to church can sometimes feel confined if you aren’t used to church –or maybe even if you are used to church! We don’t like to think that Fairview is like that, but I can certainly understand that Fairview looks a whole lot like every other church. We’re a little church with high ceilings and pews. We’ve got a small choir, we sing churchy songs, I preach a sermon every week. So, we look and sometimes sound a whole lot like every other church. But we’re more than our property and our church service! If you listen to what we’re saying you might just hear a message that’s different from what you’d hear down the street! We know we’ve got to get beyond our walls.
How can we expect someone to wake up on a Sunday morning and think –I want to go to church? So, we’re going where you go. We’re heading right into a restaurant brewery to talk about whatever it is you want to talk about!
I think that everyone is their own theologian. Let’s face it, we all have our own ideas and beliefs about God, how the world works, the meaning of life. Some of us really like to wax philosophy! Theology on Tap offers a venue to share your thoughts on these topics.
And perhaps most importantly, Theology on Tap is ideal for building relationships in a relaxing environment. It’s fun! And that’s important to a church. Despite what some people think –we don’t want to be dry and boring! Exciting conversation is stimulating! One of the things I value most is our belief in NOT having to check your brain at the door! One of the most liberating aspects of this open conversation is to see that people don’t believe all those things that that we “think†churches must believe in. Sometimes people find it mind boggling when they hear me say, “No, I don’t believe that!†Theology on Tap helps to clear up some stereotypes of misconceptions of what “all Christians†believe and think.
So why is it so important to and for our church to engage in Theology on Tap? Because we don’t want to be boxed in, we want to be real and relevant. We want to be seen for the free-thinkers we are. We want to build relationships that are authentic. We want to have some fun! We want to relax! And we want to do it in a way that is real for our culture, and for us! Because after all together, we’re Theology on Tap —God knows that if I did it alone –it would just be a pathetic pastor drinking a beer all by myself! It’s so much more fun when you’re there! So, c’mon over and join me for a good conversation, some good food (free appetizers) and of course –a good connection!
