I drink, and I like it. I like all kinds of beers, even though half the time I don't know the difference, and I admit I pretend to care to seem "in the know" but really I don't care. I like hard liquors too, and mixed drinks, oh, and wine too!
It's been a little while since I've written about anything controversial, so I thought why not an age old Christian culture taboo. You see, for me alcohol is something I could take or leave, not a biggy to me. It's true, just ask God, I've never been drunk, only once I felt like "hmmm, I feel it, that's enough". But in general the controversy around the issue in christian circles is, from my observation a bunch of hyper spiritualism that does more to divide then to love.
I'm incredibly thankful to have a church family that isn't hyper active over the issue. Instead our church is in tune with the needs of people and due to the stumbling factor (the general feeling in christian circles), pastors don't drink alcohol. We also have minitries to people who struggle with alcoholism, so it would be pretty difficult to help those folks out… not impossible but more difficult due to the perceptions people have mixing church leadership and alcohol. Sure it would be nice to live in an understanding world, but we don't – move to europe.
Anyway, all that to say, are we going to love first and force our convictions on others or are we going to love first and seek an encounter with God? Don't go watering down the truth though, and mimicking the world, or go about looking "good" – that's the same as dividing yourself. Instead, use the spirit God gave you to bring a new life to others right where they are, maybe even at a bar.