In Minnesota, a group of people have decided that a local bar far outweighs their experience at the local Baptist Congregation.

One  * “great deception”  in the post-modern church is that somehow we must be comfortable and  be like the world when we worship our Holy God in order to win over lost souls.

Dean Gotcher of the Institution for Authority Research would say this is a “dialectic” form of corporate worship, meant to make YOU feel good and puts the holiness and true worship of God below mans idea. Basically, man centered worship.

In an  article published in the Washington Post, (1/7/11) a few parishioners shared some thoughts about the Bar Church…

“I feel closer to God here than I do at a conventional church,” said Nelson, 56, a lifelong churchgoer who until recently could be found every Sunday morning in the pews at First Baptist Church nearby. “Jesus said we’re supposed to be a light to the world. What better place to do that than at a bar?” (boldface added)

“I’m a reality person, and  I’m finding a little too much established religion here to be honest,” Shank said. “I believe, I pray – but I don’t like structured religion.” (boldface added)

“I don’t feel welcome in a regular church,” said Kayla Edwards, 25, who has been to most of Fletcher’s Sunday gatherings. “A lot of churches, I feel judged. Here, I feel welcome – it’s laid back, you can say what you want and no one will be disgusted.”

~ Patrick Condon Associated Press A Man Walks into a Bar

The bible says, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;  Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the LORD in holy array.” 1Ch 16:29
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array.” Ps 29:2  (boldface added).

God’s standard is didactic;  in other words,  no compromise! He is holy and requires worship focused on Him and He alone.  He will not share His glory, and He is jealous for our attention.

If you are unsure of your position on this,  Worship in the Old Testament has the biblical design established by God. We  worship to glorify Him,  our witness comes in our daily living. The Israelites spent time preparing for worship and it was always focused on the holiness of God.

See the interview with the seminary student who has established the Bar Church below.

* Come join us on January 21 and address this and many other issues causing “Great Deceptions” in the church and in the world in which we live.  See “Meeting info” page.