Home    Church    4 steps for talking about Jesus at the bar (or coffeehouse, or anywhere else)

4 steps for talking about Jesus at the bar (or coffeehouse, or anywhere else)

Church, Practices, Pub Theology Comments are closed

This post originally appeared in Toast Weekly, a newsletter of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington DC.

If you’re like me, you’ve been told once or twice that being a good Christian includes occasionally telling other people about Jesus.

Your reaction might go something like: “Ewww. Yuck. I’m not that interested in evangelism, or selling something, or anything like that.”

But there is another part of you which senses that if more people knew the Jesus who was a radical for peace, forgiveness, love, and justice—the world would be a better place. So how does one go about doing this, without feeling like an unwanted door-to-door salesperson or an awkward friend?

I’ve found that open conversations about topics of faith can happen anywhere, even at the bar. Here are a few tips on talking about Jesus over beer, coffee, or whatever beverage you might prefer:

1. Listen.
Yes, we are talking about talking. But before someone is ready to hear from you, they need to be heard. So be a great listener, and you’ll become someone others want to listen to. Be genuinely open to what the other person has to say, because a) you’ll probably learn something; and b) he or she will be much more likely to reciprocate.

2. Embody.
One of the best ways to “talk” about Jesus is to do the kinds of things Jesus did. Hang out with strangers. Be compassionate. Serve. Seek justice.

3. Drink.
Want to have a deeper conversation with a friend or co-worker? Consider a happy hour setting, where everyone feels relaxed, it is informal, and the conversation can happen naturally. The right coffee shop can create a similar atmosphere.

4. Converse.
Consider starting a “Pub Theology”-style discussion group. This is a regular (weekly or monthly) open conversation that can happen at a neighborhood bar, brewery, or coffee shop. Come up with a name for your group, find a venue, and then let people know about it. It can be as simple as word of mouth, and with a few flyers and social media posts, it can help you connect with new folks who are interested in talking about life, meaning and faith.

Whatever your setting, remember that the alcohol is optional, and a spirit of welcome and hospitality is central.

Cheers!

bryan-2Bryan Berghoef is a pastor, speaker, and author of the book: Pub Theology: Beer, Conversation and God. He’s also a big fan of his kids, baseball, and a good scotch.

You may also Like

Of Gulls and Men

I read Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck recently. There’s this terrific moment when one of the main characters, Pilon, has a sacred encounter with sea gulls: “These birds are flying across the forehead of the Father. Dear birds, dear sea gulls, how I love you all. Your slow wings stroke my heart as the hand of a gentle master strokes the full stomach of a sleeping dog, as the hand of Christ stroked the heads of little children. Dear birds,” he thought, “fly to our Lady of Sweet Sorrows with my open heart.” And then he said the loveliest words he knew, “Ave Maria, gratia plena –” There was, nor is, nor ever has been a purer soul than Pilon’s at that moment… A soul washed and saved is a soul doubly in danger, for everything in the world conspires against such a soul. “Even the straws under my knees,” says Saint Augustine, “shout to distract me from prayer.”

The Book

From London to New York to Ann Arbor, people are gathering in pubs and bars to communicate, connect, and learn from one another over the topic of religion, of all things. In Pub Theology, pastor, writer, and pub theologian Bryan Berghoef draws from his own experience in one such setting in Northern Michigan. Speaking to fellow Christians, Berghoef explains how they must turn their evangelism mentality on its head: from being those who need to evangelize others to those who need to be evangelized by others. Through anecdotes, stories, and theological musings, readers will discover how to move from a place of preaching to a place of listening, from a place of teaching to a place of learning.

STATION: Groove

Vinyl records are made by cutting grooves or ruts into the vinyl. The record (at this point called a lacquer) is placed on the cutting machine where electronic signals from the master recording travel to a cutting head, which holds a stylus or needle. The needle etches a groove into the record that spirals to the center of the circular disc. Our lives also operate in grooves. We operate a certain way, day after day after day. Sometimes our grooves — our habits, our ways of being — create beautiful music. Sometimes our grooves are more like ruts — they create sounds that are less inviting, even harsh.

STATION: Tree

he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 Look at the list of the fruit of the Spirit. Take a few moments to consider each of these attributes. Which one are you in need of this moment?

Another Holy Week

It is Holy Week. The week we recall Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. His final week with his disciples. His actions in the temple. His perplexing parables. His final meal. His agonizing last hours. The uncertainty of Saturday. The joy of Sunday morning. It is a week of central significance to anyone claiming to be, or aspiring to be, a disciple of Jesus. One of my favorite weeks as a pastor. Also one of the busiest. This year spring break for DC public schools coincided exactly with Holy Week. We decided to head to Florida, even though that meant we'd miss out on some of the Holy Week excitement.

One Comment

  1. ncyjoygries says:

    All great ways to communicate what you want to communicate Bryan.
    It seems to me that sometimes the very words we choose get in our way.
    You have to read your audience and use your intuition.
    If the word “god” or “Jesus” is being used, then use them, but…..if you feel that those very words will be a complete turn off, then use other words.
    I don’t think either God or Jesus would be offended. The main thing to communicate is the actions God subscribes to. Acting and living your life in the presence of Jesus will account for more understanding of Him than any proper word usage.

Comments are closed.

Close