Ok, I understand your point but do not agree with it. It is still a church activity in which worship is applied. Is not our entire life suppose to be worship? Anyways…
Check out this article from the St Lawrence and Immaculate Conception churches in the area where CRC takes place.
5/8/2008 12:40:00 PM
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Finding God in unlikely and needed place
Your Pastor Speaks
The Rev. Pat Sloneker
A priest walked into a bar. This is not a joke. I walked into the Pub Lounge in Sidney this past Sunday evening to experience Country Rock Church (CRC).
Since it hit the headlines a few weeks ago, I have thought many ecclesiological (ecclesiology is the study of the church) thoughts and felt some strong feelings.
‘Church in bar?’
Even though I studied diligently in seminary, I don’t remember my ecclesiology classes taking up the question, “Can church be in a bar?” In fact, before last night, I was pretty sure I had an answer. The article I had written was titled, “Catholic Barflies Beware.”
In the article I warned Catholic bar patrons - which in Shelby County, I imagine there might be more of than any other Christian denomination - that just because CRC was giving it a go, did not give them good reason to count their bar, pub or tavern time on Saturday or Sunday as church. In fact, I said even if, in the unlikely event, our German Pope Benedict put on his lederhosen, took down his Sistine Chapel stein and sang a hearty oompah-band rendition of “In heaven there is no beer … that’s why we drink it here…,” neither Benedict, himself, nor the Catholic Church, would ever allow a church to be in a bar. There are many good reasons for this impossibility.
‘The Lord’s house’
A church building represents the Lord and the entire Body of Christ and is dedicated solely to the Lord. In fact, the English word “church” is derived from a late Greek word kyriakon/kuriakon, “the Lord’s house.”
For Catholics, a church is consecrated by a bishop who is a direct descendant in an unbroken line from the apostles, through Peter and his successors, the popes. It is a most holy and sacred place. Therefore, the church building and our presence there express our intention and foster our hope to be devoted and dedicated totally to Christ.
Sacred place
The liturgy that is celebrated in such a sacred place points to Christ in every way, clearly, distinctly, without contradiction or distraction. The people of God gather with the intentions of adoration and praise through posture, word and sacred music. We are contrite, admitting our sin and our need for repentance. The Word of God is honored, proclaimed and reflected upon. We make petition.
We offer gifts of bread, wine, time, talent and treasure, indeed our very selves to the Lord. The command of Christ to take, eat and drink, this is my body and blood is fulfilled. God’s people make an altar call to receive his mystical, one and only sacrifice of 2,000 years ago, made present on the altar by his promise to be with us always by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are sent forth in joy, holier ourselves in receiving him, to make the world a holier place, a place where the kingdom comes. Very few of the above would be fittingly possible in a bar.
End result
However, even though CRC would not, strictly speaking, be considered a church from a Catholic perspective, it accomplishes wonderfully the end result, the goal of church. From my experience this past Sunday, CRC does offer a perfect and powerful example of what Catholic theology says is the goal and purpose of a church: making the world holier, bringing about the Kingdom of God.
Centering upon one of Jesus’ own images, the church proclaims that its members ought to be leaven, salt, light and seed in the world. The values we celebrate in worship are to be sown in everyday places: home, work, marketplace, ball field … and even bars. Such is accomplished on Sunday nights at the Pub Lounge by holy people ministering in Christ’s name. Darkness is scattered by the light of Christ. The joy and hope of Christ are proclaimed in a place it is so sorely needed.
Additionally, CRC shines by being a conduit of Christ’s grace so as to move people more directly into the awareness that they are forgiven and loved by Christ. They are reminded that they are worthy through Christ to take their rightful seat amidst the Body of Christ on the Lord’s day, in a full-fledged church.
Therefore, for a bit different reason I still proclaim Catholic barflies beware! Is the bar you enter becoming holier by your presence and Christ’s presence in you? Will your presence increase or decrease lack of moderation, gossip, dishonesty, cynicism or any darkness that might be in a bar? Or, will there be a greater presence of Christ’s light, hope and peace by your presence, as I experienced in the Pub Lounge at Country Rock Church this past Sunday.
Praise the Lord for his presence in a most unlikely and needed place, through the leadership and members of the Sidney First United Methodist Church!
The writer is the pastor at St. Lawrence and Immaculate Conception churches.
inspired the sermon as Rev. Chris Heckaman held the inaugural COUNTRY ROCK CHURCH (oh, boy), service in a bar Sunday. 
