Pastor and alcohol

As Carlyle Marney, a great Baptist preacher said, "We Baptists are those people who will not drink with our friends." Good luck in getting a Baptist preacher to admit to drinking.

Do I drink? No. Why? Frankly I really do not like the taste of alcohol.

Sag, do you drink?

 

I forgot about the Lord's Supper. At our church we use grape juice. At the seminary in Prague they use what they call Baptists Wine. They use a common cup, so I would use the Anabaptist technique of dipping a corner of the bread in the wine. That way I got very little. I never appreciated the taste.

Several centuries ago the vineyards in Bohemia were destroyed in a war. German Baptists had a good reputation in caring for vineyards and were asked to move to Bohemia and restore the vineyards. They did and wine is still being made from those Baptist restored vineyards.

I think it is an interesting story.

 

As a pastor, who also serves on staff with other pastors, we have made the decision that we don't believe our office permits the use our Christian liberty in this area.

We don't condemn the use of alcohol but as ministers we don't feel it is appropriate for us to consume it whether in private or in public.

 

I think that is a wise decision.

 

I don't drink anymore. I have a problem with it and don't wish to be under its control ever again.

 

Let's see...I've been pastoring 11 years...and I've drank six beers in that 11 years. I drank my last one almost three and a half years ago, so I guess I'm about do for another :thumbs:! Every once in a great while I get a craving for one and I'll drink a beer at a restaraunt, and yes it is always when I am out of town lest I be a stumbling block for someone.

 

Saggy, you missed an answer: It's none of my business! (so I voted other)

If we found our elderly interim pastor stumbling around town, then I as a church member I'd have something to say (if it were proven he was drunk and not just old ) Until then, since I don't consider it wrong for me to take a drink, it would be a double standard for me to hold it against anyone.

Ann, I when I made vanilla flavoring the last time I simply added the vanilla beans to the bottle of vodka and there it stays. The kids are all the time going on at me about my vanilla flavored vodka! When they least expect it, I'm going to take the label off the bottle and pretend I have no clue what they are talking about. :laugh:

 

I am a pastor. I enjoy an occasional glass of wine. I do not enjoy beer, but have no conviction against consumption (so long as it does not lead to drunkenness). I understand that not everyone has the same ability for liberty in this area, and don't push the issue.

 

1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.


Scripture does not give room for Pastors to drink alcohol. There is no liberty for them in this area.

 

I don't think having a glass necessarily means you're given to it.

 

Ya think there may be another interpretation for this admonition considering Paul's advise to Timothy.

(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
1 Timothy 5:23 ESV

I've enjoyed a glass or two during Christmas celebrations but haven't recently, I consider PreachinJesus advise very sound (with just a bit of change).

"We don't condemn the use of alcohol but as [American] ministers we don't feel it is appropriate for us to consume it whether in private or in public."

Rob

 

Nope...using it for medicinal purposes in no way negates the admonition.

 

I have been a pastor for 2 years so there is no doubt that I know nothing compared to most on this forum.

This is one of those questions that has a high level of tension surrounding it. Jesus turned water into wine...I have heard some try to explain this away but I don't see how they can. Paul instructed Timothy to have some for medical reasons. However, I use the "stubling-block" factor on this one. With so many familes that are torn apart over alcoholic issues and with all the deaths and injuries caused by drinking and driving I personally abstain. But to say that person can't or shouldn't isn't something I believe we can back up with chapter and verse.

Just my thoughts.

 

Every time the word wine is used does not mean it is alcohol.

 

Amen.

I think a pastor should be free from that daft habit.

It happens, lets not shy from it.

 

What does this mean for the discussion?

 

Well its pretty obvious that the alcohol issue is only a symptom of a bigger problem.

Not too long ago I had a fundamentalist brother charge me (in front a group of people) of watering down the Gospel because I teach that drinking isn't sinful. Yet he did so while ignoring his plank of gluttony.

The NT doesn't bind us over to a dogmatic stance on this issue. It is telling that Christ used wine as the substance created in His first miracle...and I have yet to see a good response about that.