To Stave Off Decline, Churches Attract New Members With Beer

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

With mainline religious congregations dwindling across America, a scattering of churches is trying to attract new members by creating a different sort of Christian community. They are gathering around craft beer.

Some church groups are brewing it themselves, while others are bring the Holy Mysteries to a taproom. The result is not sloshed congregants; rather, it's an exploratory approach to do church differently.

Leah Stanfield stands at a microphone across the room from the beer taps and reads this evening's gospel message.

She's a 28-year-old leasing agent who's been coming to Church-in-a-Pub here in Fort Worth, Tex., for a year, and occasionally leads worship.

"I find the love, I find the support, I find the non-judgmental eyes when I come here," she says. "And I find friends that love God, love craft beer."

Every Sunday evening, 30 to 40 people gather at Zio Carlo brewpub to order pizza and pints of beer, to have fellowship, and have church — including communion.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/11/03/242301642/to-stave-off-decline-churches-attract-new-members-with-beer?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook

Guess that explains how Texas elected people like Rick Perry and Ted Cruz.

[Blue_Tires]

1. Instead of the gimmicks why can't churches

take a look inward and see if there are any fundamental flaws which have driven away so many people??

[Earth_First]

4. This. nt

[snooper2]

9. because they already know the flaw

It's called that holy book thing written thousands of years ago by old men who really weren't very bright by today's standards


Science works, Faith is something you have to have when no evidence exists for it

[Blue_Tires]

12. Not only that...

There has just been too much regression of the 'love thy neighbor, feed/clothe/shelter the poor, comfort the sick', etc. type of church to saying all Americans are going to hell because we tolerate all the gays and non-Christians...

[Blue Owl]

2. Dear Lord, one more then I gotta go...

[Crabby Appleton]

3. Everyone should believe in something

I believe I'll have another beer.

[sakabatou]

5. Well that explains this (video)

[KamaAina]

6. Not wine?

Just sayin'.

[longship]

7. At least they could endorse it as a sacrement.

You know, mass quantities every Sunday.

[Coyotl]

8. Better not be a "coming to a bar near me" movement.

I mean the religion, not the crafting of good brews, of course.

[NightWatcher]

10. certain things sound more plausible when drunk

Hell, if I'm drunk enough to think I can sing some Garth Brooks at karaoke, I might be drunk enough to fall for anything.

[jsr]

11. Sex works also

[zappaman]

13. Where do I join?