Bryan is a pastor, writer, and pub theologian, and author of the book, Pub Theology: Beer, Conversation, and God. He insists that good things happen when we sit around the table together and talk about things that matter, and what better setting than at the pub, over a beer. Bryan currently facilitates weekly conversations at a bar in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.
Bryan and his wife, Christy, are gathering a new faith community called Roots DC — an urban faith community seeking to follow Jesus for the good of the city, where loving our neighbors takes priority over having all the answers. Bryan was the founder of Watershed in Traverse City, MI — a hub of creative, broken people seeking simplicity, depth, and authenticity. Bryan’s writings have appeared in the Huffington Post, Sojourners, and Patheos, among other places.
Pub Theology – The Book: From London to New York to Ann Arbor, people are gathering to communicate, connect and learn from one another over the topic of religion, of all things. In Pub Theology, Bryan draws from his own experience in one such setting, contending that for too long the church has insisted on setting its own terms on how one can find and encounter God. Yet what if God is to be found in places we haven’t been looking at all? Order here!
If you have interest in good conversations about things that matter, check out Pub Theology, a weekly gathering centered on beer, conversation, and God.
Read Bryan’s recent column in the Huffington Post: Pursuing Faith over a Pint
Want Bryan to host a discussion at a pub near you? Interested in having him speak to your church about starting a pub group? Send him a note: bryan [at] rootsdc [dot] org.
Thanks for your recent reflections on how to engage and understand the Bible, Bryan, both on your blog and also in the Banner FAQs.
I think you would find my recent book “Covenant Documents: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time” (Cognella, 2009) a helpful addition to other books you referenced. In fact, it is a good background, summary, overview and introduction to the whole Bible (not often found these days), in a very engaging manner. I hope you will check it out and let me know what you think.
All the best…
Wayne Brouwer
Hi Wayne-
If I get my hands on it – be glad to let you know what I think.
Thanks for the note. Am interested in checking out your book, but it’s a bit on the pricey side. Was hoping there’d be a less expensive Kindle version.
Bryan
Congrats on the new book! As an indie bookseller I’m really excited to see this is soon out. We’ll get it in soon, and maybe review it at our BookNotes. We’ve got a few mutual friends, some overlapping book tastes (you didn’t say what sort of beer you prefer) I gather, and appreciate your efforts. We aren’t that far from DC so maybe can connect some day…
Hi Byron-
Nice to hear from you. The book is now available on Kindle or paperback. Hope you’re able to give it a read. It would be great to connect over a brew sometime! We’ll be in DC this fall.
Bryan
P.S. Would love a review or endorsement!
Bryan
….my name is Skip Stock, Jon Stock is my brother, Jim Stock of Cascade books is my son, and Matthew Stock who did your cover is also my son. Jimmy gave me your book because I am kind of a pub theologian but with Jack Daniels. My brother Ted and I preach to a Church that meets in our old airplane hanger and is full of broken people, including the Preachers. We make our living in the lumber business but along the way met old radicals like Will Campbell and others. Your book has some great stuff in it, good luck in DC. skip stock@yahoo.com
Skip-
Thanks for the note! Glad you were able to check out the book. Sounds like you have some really neat things happening there! May be out on the West coast later this summer – would be fun to connect.
Bryan
Nice to meet you at Wild Goose. When will you be traveling through Seattle? Grace and peace. Wolt
Hi Wolt!
Our travel plans are still unfolding – but if and when we come to Seattle – you’ll be the first to know!
Bryan
Hi there Bryan,
In addition to life as an anglican pastor and life coach I’m a review writer for a number of British and European review publications.
Might you send me a review copy of your book….?
Congratulations on the achievement of getting this into the public domain.
I look forward to reading the work of your hand and heart!
Grace and peace,
Johnny
–
Rev Dr Johnny Douglas 077990-72845
Flat D, 35 Buxton Street, Spitalfields London E1 5EH
Hi Bryan,
A mutual friend- Byron Borger- just turned me onto your site. For the past six years or so I have been trying to take a similar tact- using beer as a means to draw people into fellowship and conversation. We do it by hosting a beer tasting and homebrew club at our church (St Timothy’s Roxborough in Philly). After a while I too thought it was producing some really interesting experiences and insights so I last month I launched my own blog here on wordpress.
Anyway, I look forward to reading your book and if you are willing, to keep up a conversation on best practices.
Cheers!
Kirk
Kirk-
Thanks for stopping by. Your group sounds great – would love to sit in some evening. Be interested to hear your thoughts on the book, and definitely let’s keep in touch about how to keep good conversations going!
Bryan
Hey Bryan,
I saw your post on the Digital Marketer Website as I was looking to hire some guest bloggers. More about that in second.
What you are doing is incredibly cool, impressive, and encouraging. I recently got married (this past August) and moved to Kansas City, where I’m embarking on a business coaching start up. This past summer I concluded two years of working for Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Missouri, after I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2010. I truly appreciate combining faith, intellect, and cultural relevancy. Thank you for doing what you are doing.
My brother, Ryan, recently moved to DC! He is an incredibly intelligent man, but has fallen away from the Lord. I would love to direct him to your conversations if that’s ok.
Annnnnyway, I had no idea that looking for a guest blogger would lead me to all of this! Back to blogging – if you are interested in guest blogging, please let me know. I would have e-mailed you, but on a cursory glance did not find your email address. Mine is cl@clbusinesscoaching.com.
Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you!