Alcohol

Christians everywhere like to tell everyone else, Christian or not, how to live their lives. And guess what, if you aren't living your life according to their personal standards then chances are you're going to be judged. I hate those people. This is especially common for the topic of alcohol and is a topic that I feel very strongly about. Unfortunately I don't have time to go into all of the reasons but I would like to deal with one that is forefront in my life at the moment.

One example Christian's like to give for their personal reasons for not drinking are because they might cause someone to stumble if they were seen leaving the grocery store with a 6-pack in hand. They believe that someone might not feel comfortable approaching them and by purchasing a 6-pack they might lose out on a possible ministering or witnessing opportunity. Or they feel that someone might see them buy the 6-pack and think that it was ok for them to get drunk because the Pastor (or other member of the congregation) drinks. First of all, if that is someone's thought process if they saw someone in leadership buying alcohol then they have a bigger issue. Secondly, for the majority of people my pastor's age and in his sphere of influence that may be true. And it's also true that older Christian's may have a better chance of reaching more people if they choose to abstain, especially in this culture. And if that is what you chose to do then great! More power to ya. Just don't expect me to as well. And don't make it contingent on participation in the church worship team. ("Gee Christian, that is a pretty specific example" you say? Well....yeah.)

But in my sphere of influence and to a lot of people my age I am more approachable because I'm enjoying a drink with them, or because I have a tattoo, or because I have a lip ring and a smile. I can't tell you how many deep religious conversations I've had with people that you would not expect to simply because we were hanging out having a few drinks together. My decision to drink responsibly  opens doors for me to minister to people that would not be open to my Pastor or others. This is MY mission field. And I might lose part of that by abstaining completely. Think about it, if I was at a party (even one at my own house that my roommate is throwing) and someone asks me why I'm not drinking and I reply "because I'm on the worship team" they are going to assume that I am "holier than thou" and probably won't want to interact with me because I'm a stuck up Christian. Definitely not what I'm going for. Even if I were to say "I'm on the worship team and I'm not allowed to drink" then I would make it look like my church was super strict with a bunch of rules. And who wants that? If they are looking for a church with a bunch of rules there are a ton of LDS buildings within walking distances of just about anywhere, not to mention missionaries who will come to your house! I want to show people that my faith is different. And I feel like I do a good job of drinking responsibly and being an example of how to do it right. And in a church, (yes, even at Grace Baptist) there are members of the congregation who will choose to drink. Don't you think those members also deserve a leader like them? (Ok, so there really isn't any more sense in trying to make this a general post. Here is the deal: I either have to abstain from alcohol or I can't be on my church worship team. Harsh, I know.) 

I feel like my pastor is saying that yes, as a Christian I am free to drink, it is not a sin. However, if I choose to do so I'm not good enough to be used in the church. I'm only good enough to sit in the pew and watch. And to say that as my pastor, it's the equivalent of saying God doesn't want to use me either.

Well, I disagree. 

Please see Ecc. 9:7 and Psalms 104:14-15

So it's official, I quit the worship team. I don't want to be on a team with judgmental, legalistic Christians anyway.