It's the principalities we wrestle against ... the powers that be ... the rulers of darkness in the world ... the spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).
It wasn't Benny or Rose who tried to shut us down. They were merely making sound business decisions reflecting the culture of the times.
They simply believe more money's made on Sundays if brunch and alcohol are served without Church service when the Bar opens.
You can't fault their logic.
The last thing anybody wants when they're drinking is having religion shoved in their face while they're nursing a cold one.
On Sunday's people look for a good time with others ... a laugh or two ... some good ol' fashion fellowship and, well God knows, you can't have that with Church going on!
And let's be honest ... Church music isn't the kind of sounds joyful gatherings are built around!
Church songs are about "standing in the need of prayer" ... "Jesus softly and tenderly calling us home" ... "Onward Christian Soldiers" ... none of these songs inspire drinking.
They're bad for business because Church doesn't add to the bottom line.
Worship should be confined to stained glass buildings where it belongs, not in bars or where people actually live their lives.
So in a pure business decision, it was decided Bar Church had to go.
Benny's was ready.
Bar Church? ... not so much.
We've just gotten started.
It's fun!
So here we are!
And it brings worship where people are and prefer to be.
Thank you to Jennifer Knox for giving this strange brew of faith a home.
This is how it happened.
After last Sunday's service, we were homeless as the year ended, having packed all our worldly possessions into mine and Davy's cars.
It's the Christmas season and everyone's celebrating and that's a terrible time to look for a place ... though thinking about it ... isn't that what Joseph and Mary were doing at Christmas? ... looking for a place so Jesus would come?
On the day after Christmas, I ride over to Monty's to get the lay of the land. He gives me wise council so I strike out to ... well ... strike out.
The first place I contact to house Bar Church doesn't return my calls.
The second place meets with me but with suspicion. As a matter of fact, I did all the talking. The only words he said were, "I'll get back to you."
I meander to The Sand Bar but the doors are locked and, while Jennifer and I are Facebook friends, I don't have her number so ... I go home.
Driving, I say a prayer ... "Lord, why did you send me to Monty's first? I could already be home by now."
Once home, I message Jennifer and, this is what happened.
I make the very attractive pitch ... "We're a homeless Church. You got any room in the Inn?"
This was the response ... "Hi! Wow! I'm so glad that you reached out to me! God is very much a part of our life, and we would love to discuss this further."
We set a time and I call Monty to attend the meeting because he made me leave my house for no apparent reason so I figure it's time for pay back.
Monty, Jennifer and Pam are waiting when I stroll in ... giving a clear indication that Bar Church never starts right on time.
Monty's drinking a beer.
That's a good sign.
The four of us collect in front of the bar and I make the pitch again ... "We're a homeless Church at Christmastime. You got any room in the Inn?"
Monty shakes his head, takes a swig, looks at me rolling his eyes, and without using words says, "That's the best you can do?"
Then Jennifer speaks.
She's not feeling well. Her eyes are red and puffy and she's given us the sideways "I'm sick" hug and can't touch you which is often "I don't really want to hug you so I'm pretending I'm sick."
Truth is she is sick and growing more ill.
"I was sitting with a new five year lease spread out in front of my asking God what I should do," she explains, "when your message came."
I lean forward.
Monty puts his beer on the bar.
Jennifer says, "It's like God's saying, 'This is what you should do.'"
Her eyes are moist as she speaks.
Salt water wells in mine.
Monty takes another swig, wipes his mouth with a shirt sleeve and waits for the rest.
So I get all business like and tell Jenn everything Bar Church can does ... they'll be crowd of 20 to 60 each week ... who mostly clean up after themselves ... many of whom will order as soon as the Bar's open ... either because the Bar's open or the preaching sucks ... and there's Live Music ... a Potluck on the Pool table ... and a congregation like you've never seen before."
Monty drains his beer.
Jennifer says, "I think God's answering my question."
A couple of tears make their way down my face and ... I know ... this deal is done.
God has spoken.
And ... here we are in a place every bit as Holy as the stable Joseph found for Mary to give birth ... with Shepherds and Wise guys ... and Angels high enough to sing from up there ... and God smiling down on the gift of his only begotten son.
So that if we just believe ... concludes St. John and as Bob Marley says ... every little thing's gonna be alright.
I'm fond of saying, and believe Eli Wiesel right when he said, "God's greatest gift is the chance to start over."
We are being born again.
I'm sure powers that be ... the rulers of darkness in the world ... the spiritual wickedness in high places ... aren't happy about!
But you know what?
Screw them!
Let's worship!
