Should a pastor be permitted to have a beer once in while?

[TCassidy]

"well drunk" KJV

"had too much to drink" NIV

"drunk freely* NASB
* have become drunk

"when the guests are drunk" NET

"and when men have well drunk; not to excess, but freely, so as that they are exhilarated; and their spirits cheerful, but their brains not intoxicated: so the word, as answering to the Hebrew word is שכר, used by the Septuagint in Gen_43:34, (Gill)


"well drunk — “drunk abundantly” (as Son_5:1), speaking of the general practice." (Jamieson, Fausset & )

"When men have well drunk - This word does not of necessity mean that they were intoxicated . . . " (Barnes)

 

[Aaron]

I said "once in a while" because there is a growing trend of church leaders drinking socially and seeing nothing wrong with it. This question could also be asked regarding smoking, OVER EATING, or watching R-rated movies, etc.

How much liberty can a pastor take until it is objectionable and not in the best interest of the calling to lead a church? Thanks for your prayerful response.

Do you love your brother more than your belly?