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CHRISTIANS are being driven to drink – but for all the right reasons, and only in moderation. Several initiatives are
bringing believers and non-Christians together, outside the church.
Alpha on Tap
Alpha Canada is trying a new approach to its popular course, sponsoring an
evening of gospel-centred discussion at a pub.
“We see this as an opportunity to impact the community,” said Shaila Visser, international director of Alpha in the Workplace.
Non-Christians, she added, “can come to a comfortable environment and ask questions – people who otherwise might put up barriers to attending a church event.”
Asked about potential controversy over combining evangelism and alcohol, Visser
said: “We want to bring Christianity into the secular world. A pub is a place where
many people typically go after work. We go where the people are. There will be
alternative drinks, other than alcohol.”
Alpha on Tap is scheduled September 9, 5:30 – 7pm, at Doolins’ Irish Pub in downtown Vancouver.
Theology on Tap
This lecture series is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver
(RCAV). In July, meetings were held every Tuesday evening at the Delta Lion
Pub. Speakers explored topics such as ‘Love, God & Relationships.’
Patrick Gillespie, director of RCAV’s Office of Evangelization, would like to see more such events.
“We’re hoping to have a few people take over, and continue that. We’re still kind of in the learning stages. There will be a couple of Theology on
Taps, hopefully – one in Surrey, at St. Matthew’s; and in the fall, one out at Saint Mark’s College.”
According to the Catholic Young Adults site on Facebook, a Theology on Tap
evening is scheduled October 2, at Mahoney and Sons pub at UBC.
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The Kindlings
This initiative was inspired by The Inklings, the legendary Oxford literary
group which included the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Charles
Williams.
While The Inklings were known to frequent a local pub, the The Kindlings have
opted to meet in a restaurant. Another thing setting it apart from the pub
events is the fact that the discussions are recorded for later podcast.
The group launched in April, and has tackled subjects such as ‘Living with a Little Mosque on the Prairie,’ the CBC TV show; and ‘Deconstructing Deepak,’ an exploration of the mystical musings of New Age author Deepak Chopra.
“So far, our events have attracted a full house,” said podcast producer Naomi Hogg. “It’s a hospitable place for seekers … if they are not ready for or comfortable with church attendance. This is why we
meet in a neutral location.”
In addition to engaging non-believers, she emphasized: “We want to equip and encourage Christians to engage the culture [and] build
bridges with not-yet-Christians.”
The next event, scheduled September 28 at Belle’s in South Surrey, will explore ‘The End of Faith?’ as exemplified by what she termed today’s “militant, aggressive branch of atheism.” One of the scheduled panelists will be BCCN film critic Peter Chattaway. thekindlings.ca – DFD
September 2009
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