Featured As a church leader, do you drink?

I do not drink, but it has very little to do with being a church leader (SBC, even). It has more to do with a couple of very close family members who would not look well on it for danger of abuse reasons (neither of them thinks its necessarily a sin either). There are several old ladies who drink a glass of wine most nights because their doctors recommended it...I doubt it would be a problem if I did drink.

 

I'm not a Pastor or church leader, but I'd like to comment from my view as a pew warmer. If I am attending a church that emphatically teaches abstinence, not moderation; I'd have hard views to see a Pastor or church leader of that church partaking of alcohol in any setting for I'd consider it rank hypocrisy.

If the church I attend does not teach alcoholic beverage is sin, I am not offended or disturbed at all to see the Pastor or church leader of that church having a wine or beer with meals or relaxing with beer during his favorite past time. I often have a beer when dining out in a nice restaurant. I sometimes have wine with meals at home when I feel in a mood of celebration and on occasion will have a beer or two after working outside in the yard. So, I surely am not going to be upset with the preacher or deacon doing likewise if he does so in accordance with Scripture, not to excess.

If it is a Pastor or leader of some other church, it is NONE of my business as I see it. I am a strict, old time Baptist attending a strict Presbyterian Church.

 

I don't drink alcohol because I don't believe I have the liberty to do so as a pastor.

One of my basic callings in ministry is to example holiness and pursue unity in the church. Given the many, often vociferous, positions on this issue, I choose to withhold my liberty here.

 

I do not drink alcohol.

 

Do I drink? Like a fish! :wavey:


I drink about half a gallon of water every day. Most of it taste like coffee but it started out as water. My grandson and I go through a quart of chocolate milk with dinner. Does that answer your question?

 

I don't drink for a couple of reasons.

The first is that I don't believe it would be a good witness for Christ or for the integrity of the church.

The second is that, although I don't believe drinking is forbidden, and although I believe I have the liberty to drink in moderation, I don't want to make anyone stumble and, although I like beer, it's not a big deal to give it up.

I also have a young man who lives with our family who is recovering from an alcohol addiction, as well as a family member who struggles with it, I don't want to do anything to tempt them.

And, besides, even if I wanted to, about three or four years ago, I discovered that, as I've gotten older, beer gives me terrible acid reflux.

 

That shows character. Good for you JDF and better for those around you that struggle. I may consume 5-6 beers throughout the year- most of them at deercamp over a week's time. There ain't but two people in the church that have ever seen me raise a glass: madre and my buddy Bob. Bob and I have been friends since we were 12. madre and I have been friends since I was 16. :smilewinkgrin: If either of them objected I'd stick with a coffee.

I don't have the acid-reflux problem but I can't figure out how 12 ounces of anything can produce what seems to be gallons of... shall we say by-product.

 

Ohhhhhhh....I just love it! Lager, wine, brandy, single malt Scotch, wotka etc. Love it....but I'm not a drunk like many who cant process the stuff and that's too bad for them...cause it wrecks their lives and they are too stupid to realize it...and cause they never admit to it....that they are alcoholics. But that don't affect me and I enjoy the pubwhere you can socialize and drink a pint or two. And ive pulled many people outa them and told them about Christ and a few even respond favorably and give there lives over to the healing power. Baptists are just big wossies who cant and wont accept the world actually is messed up and needs someone there pulling the drunks and drug addicts together.....so they pull this holier than thou crudd....I totally reject that nonsence....its a form of denial.

 

I do not drink. Even if the Bible gave room for it and I drank in any kind of reasonable moderation when I go to purchase it anyone who sees the preacher buy alcohol of any kind does not know that. All they know is that the preacher drinks. Buy alcohol in and of itself is a poor testimony.

 

You shouldn't drink....you are an alcoholic.

 

Uh no, it is a crock that one a drunk always a drunk. Neither do I accept that alcoholism is a disease. That is just a term created to manipulate people to a 4 billion dollar a year industry.

However, even if it were true it matters not. What I said still stands.

 

You "think "....you do not "know "....have you asked?

 

Weak people ..... drunk is weakness.

 

And buzzed is drunk

 

Well ya...so what?

 

Bad testimony to whom? Not any unbeliever I've met. Most think its very unusual not to have a drink. Worried about what other believers might be thinking? Worried about the weaker brother or sister in Christ? Seems like like there is lot if concern for what other people think. Drinking isn't an important or big part of my life, don't think less of you if you don't, don't think more of you if you don't.

 

I drink in moderation. I find it very interesting that there are those in the church who would condemn my occasional alcoholic drink and we have people in visible ministry that are grossly obese. Sometimes I feel like we Baptists focus too much on the "don'ts" and not enough on the "do's".

 

Mary, thanks for your contribution to the discussion. And welcome to the Baptist Board. Now, would you mind going up to the first subject "Welcome to the Baptist Board" and telling us more about yourself. We'd like to get more acquainted with you. I hope you enjoy your visits here.