A new meaning to

January 18, 2003 9:57 AM

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune Some twin cities churches are holding services in novel places. Like Champps sports bar.

Lisa Walker attends Wooddale and likes the idea of Champps. "It's something new and fun," she said as she sat at a table with a friend before services Sunday. They said they were planning to stay for brunch. "It's friends, food, fun and faith, all in one," Walker, of Richfield, said. Her friend, who does not normally attend church and was hesitant to give her name, said she would attend Wooddale but liked the informal setting.

Don't forget alcohol and heavy food, Ms. Walker.
posted by 4midori (27 comments total)

All religions are evil and must be put to an end...now that intolerant obligatory comment is out of the way I will make my real post.

I find this a little odd, but not too surprising. While not religiously active or inclined in anyway myself, I know that the history of the church supports this. In the first few centuries AD there were no churches as we know them. Services were be held almost anywhere a priest could perform a service (usually in private and in secret). Two of the main reasons for the lack of churchs were: one, the concept that God was not found in a building, but in hearts and minds of the faithful or the presence of God something that is something intangible that can not be found in a formal structure (i.e. instead God is found in service and prayer and located with the faithful) and two, Christianity was illegal or not tolerated by Romans and needed to stay hidden. Or something along those lines.

The real question is do you want some wings with the wings you're going to get in the afterlife?
posted by Bag Man at 10:45 AM on January 18, 2003

"It's friends, food, fun and faith, all in one,"

Apparently this is The Parish Of St. Bennigan's Of The Outback.
posted by jonmc at 10:47 AM on January 18, 2003

Do they serve pancakes?
posted by konolia at 11:15 AM on January 18, 2003

Sad. Pathetic.

This is the reason mainstream religion is failing. Anything to keep people's attention...other than a real message.
posted by MrAnonymous at 11:20 AM on January 18, 2003

If it turns out in the end that they've offended God, at least they get to chose whether their damnation is mild, hot, or extra-hot. And though the demons may maul them with their razor-sharp talons, there will be bleu cheese dressing to salve the wounds.
posted by trondant at 11:31 AM on January 18, 2003

This is the reason mainstream religion is failing. Anything to keep people's attention...other than a real message.

Yet this pseudo-message is enough to keep people feeling like they are christian, and probably enough to guilt them into voting like people say christians should vote, without really thinking about the ramifications of their actions.
posted by rhyax at 11:38 AM on January 18, 2003

This is the reason mainstream religion is failing. Anything to keep people's attention...other than a real message.

More likely it's failing because a lot of those preaching and practicing it are themselves morally bankrupt and their views are anachronistic. MrAnonymous, your comment is ironic, because taking prayer out of the church is reconnecting too the roots of Christianity. The Wooddale Church is using a tried a tried and true method of gathering the faithful and not just using a gimmick. MrAnonymous have attended any of Wooddale Church services? Do you know anyone in the Wooddale Church? If no, you are not a place to comment on the content of the service. My guess is that the faithful at Wooddale Church get a healthy dose of God, so what if they also get a shake afterwards?
posted by Bag Man at 11:38 AM on January 18, 2003

hey, styrofoam-esque wafers and watered-down port are just tradition anyway. Who says the Body and Blood can't be wings and beer?
posted by Vidiot at 11:43 AM on January 18, 2003

Church = people.
posted by drinkcoffee at 12:00 PM on January 18, 2003

Pews and stained glass do not a church make.
posted by konolia at 12:09 PM on January 18, 2003

Bag Man, it was a general comment. I attend church every Sunday and it's not in a church. I wasn't saying taking church out of the church (building) was a bad thing. I'm saying taking it to a sports bar is some sort of gimmick to get attendance up. They could rent a meeting room at a hotel or something just as easily if they wanted something besides a church.
posted by MrAnonymous at 12:47 PM on January 18, 2003

Actually, this is a pretty damn smart move. I mean, if you take the supposed "vices" that the church condemns, and instead of trying to futiley supress them, make them a part of the church....well, that's a problem solved. Anyone read Stranger in a Strange Land? This smacks of the Fosterites....
posted by lazaruslong at 12:56 PM on January 18, 2003

any bets on who these "churchgoers" voted for?
posted by specialk420 at 2:44 PM on January 18, 2003

konolia: Somebody, I think maybe Ann Landers, once quipped that church isn't a museum for saints; it's a hospital for sinners.

I don't see a problem with this as long as it's a real (ummm, honest to...you know) religious event that's happening and not just a pep rally.

I once knew of a Lutheran pastor who, at a retreat, held a sunrise Sunday service in (not beside, but standing in) a swimming pool. Points for style and creativity on that one.
posted by alumshubby at 5:18 PM on January 18, 2003

This is consumerism capitalising on the great Traditional Migration to Area Steak Houses After Church phenomenon. Nobody gets angered here as football and sports updates glint off the morning glare and poppers,wings and artichoke dip are sold. Even though the only reason any company would allow a non business related meeting within its walls is for the sheer end of the weekend weight they carry within their wallets. Hell, write it off too. It's a fantastic partnership. The church has the bodies with end of the weekend Christian fence riders wallets' bulging. The company has the venue. We're all American, so "Hey Why not?". What's more American than a sprtsbr on a Sunday? Good times.

That this passes for a story while certainly many self-proclaimed Christians freeze on the streets of the Twin Cities is poignant. "Outreach" knows no barriers. Capitalistic Christianity finds no market untouchable. Especially lucrative agreements and connections between the "church of the middle class" and the "Church of Jesus Christ Capitalism". Christians can be everywhere and so can capitalism. It's like novice/intermediate/beginner settings in video crack. Maybe there will soon be a sundayschool morning video game us kids can play to get us primed for church someday too.
posted by crasspastor at 6:35 PM on January 18, 2003

"Wherever six or more are gathered in my name, there will be no separate checks."
posted by vraxoin at 6:39 PM on January 18, 2003

For more background on who these folks are, an archive of weekly sermons is online. It might be fair to call them a "conservative suburban megachurch".
posted by gimonca at 6:44 PM on January 18, 2003

alumshubby: I've been part of a Lutheran worship service in a Lake. It's good stuff, and the water helped people pay attention, I think. Of course, we were doing Jonah and the whale...that helped.

I've been to services in a variety of different places, and I usually like it. Limiting your "God Time" to when you're in the church building can't be a good thing.
posted by tragedy_and_comedy at 7:13 PM on January 18, 2003

damn trackback auto-discovery. but, that was a nice comment :)
posted by rhyax at 9:35 PM on January 18, 2003

...In the name of the Whiskey, and The Beers, and The Holy Smokes.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:30 AM on January 19, 2003

CAMP SNOOPY ????

is this where they hold the comic book baddies ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:35 AM on January 19, 2003

Skeletor doing a Sermon ...now that what get the crowds rolling in !
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:36 AM on January 19, 2003

would
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:37 AM on January 19, 2003

Praise the lord, and pass the biscuits...
posted by dejah420 at 10:58 AM on January 19, 2003

Do the waitresses get 15% of the alms?
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 12:53 PM on January 20, 2003

"Wherever six or more are gathered in my name, there will be no separate checks."

Wherever six or more are gathered in my name, thine server shall add a 15% gratuity to thou bill.
posted by jennyb at 1:17 PM on January 20, 2003

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
And I listened to what the preacher said
Now it's to the Lord let praised be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
posted by kindall at 3:34 PM on January 20, 2003