Comments on: Theology Pub

By: God and a Tall Frosty One « Jake:Ruminations

God and a Tall Frosty One « Jake:Ruminations — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:39:53 +0000

[...] of course, not nearly the first to do this. Earlier this week I had a great conversation with Joe Thorn, pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in the Chicago area. He just hosted his first Theology Pub in March. [...]

By: Brooks

Brooks — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:25:03 +0000

Thanks for doing this. We need more of these. Our Grab a Brew Share Your View does this every 2nd tuesday in rural Iowa and the first night we did it, we were shocked that the local atheist group and freethinkers came out in droves.

By: Mike Edwards

Mike Edwards — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:35:08 +0000

Thanks Joe!

By: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:28:06 +0000

Well, we’re still figuring it out. But I think its important to know your 1. religious context (for us it’s mixed, but largely Catholic), and 2. larger social context (for us, a lot of middle class/upper middle class, younger families), etc. And you have to 3. determine what your goal is; teaching, defending Christian truths? open dialog and discussion on spiritual/theological topics? open dialog with more emphasis on cultural/social issues? The options are endless, but you need to know what you are trying to accomplish, and what your emphasis will be. 4. Best venue (coffee house, pub, campus lounge, etc.).

By: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:14:48 +0000

The room is great, and the acoustics are fine. The chairs and tables are set up in such a way that it just works well. No mics needed, but we did need to speak clear and loud. All the real noise is on the first floor.

By: ryanv

ryanv — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:36:17 +0000

There is a new study going on through a local church here in Columbia, SC. They call it “Theology on Tap” where we go to a bar every other Thursday and is pretty much similar in format to what y’all have going here. I thought I’d share this with you…

I haven’t had time to join this event due to other commitments on Thursday’s but I think this is an excellent area for ministry… and can break down many barriers between some stereotypes of Christians that some non-Christians have…

anyways, just thought I’d share.

By: Aaron Steenhoven

Aaron Steenhoven — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:24:19 +0000

Joe,

Hey brother- it’s exciting to see the Theology Pub kicking off in St Charles. Sorry I couldn’t make it out. We have just started leading a worship team for a new church plant in Schaumburg. We have been doing a Thursday night Bible study, and will be launching our Sunday morning service on Easter Sunday. Needless to say, we have been busy trying to get all of the pieces in place. Our lease is up soon, so we will probably be moving towards Schuamburg. I will definitely try to make it out to a Theology Pub before we move. Hope you and your family are well. Later!

By: Mike Edwards

Mike Edwards — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:35:48 +0000

Awesome man. Glad things went well. Got my gears turning for sure. What elements would you say are necessary to think through in choosing to do something like this in varying contexts?

By: Carlos Griego

Carlos Griego — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:53:50 +0000

Sounds like it was a good night! We have been doing something like that here in Albuquerque for about a year, although are right now thinking about how we format it. With having the whole 2nd floor do you use a mic and speakers or p.a. system to hold the discussion or do you arrange chairs a certain way??

This has been our biggest issue, and possibly cause Albuquerque is not known for its pubs, so our options are limited to meet at. Any info you could provide would help.

Thanks and stoked for your pub night!

Los

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:16:24 +0000

Thanks for posting the info! I am thinking/praying through doing something like this in my community and love all the info you want to/can share on how to do it!