Last month the regional council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America approved “Church-in-a-Pub” in Fort Worth, TX, as a synodically authorized worshiping community. Pastor Philip Heinze serves as pastor at Calvary Lutheran (Fort Worth, TX) and oversees this new venture, which is formally known as Kyrie. His approach is focused on connecting people to Jesus rather than to church:
“I’m not interested, frankly, in making more church members,” Pastor Philip Heinze said. “I’m interested in having people have significant relationships around Jesus. And if it turns out to be [over] craft beer, fine.”
So What?
You can find people gathering for worship in all sorts of venues, including homes, coffee shops, renovated theaters, and bars. In an age when many spiritual seekers who are outside the church are unlikely to enter a building adorned with a steeple, alternative options are essential.
- Do you know of any churches in your area that worship in a bar? If so, have you attended? If not, what other non-church building worship venues exist in your area?
- How would you react if your pastor suggested holding an additional service of worship off campus? Would the location of such a proposed alternative service influence your reaction?