After one our weekly church services, I was invited over to a fellow leader's house, with a couple of friends. After a fun evening, they proceeded to make martinis in their kitchen. They offered it to everyone, and everyone took a sip. (Except for me. I detest alcohol, and I use the fact that I am underage to excuse myself from it.) I casually mentioned this fact to my fiance (he is interning with our leader), and he mentioned it to our leader. Our leader has taken these people aside and explained our church's beliefs on alcohol, and his standards, and now everyone who attended is furious with me.
What do you think? Do you think alcohol is appropriate within the privacy of your own home? Do you think it is okay when others are present, (even church leaders?)
Personally (and I am an A/G pastor!), I do like the taste of some alcoholic beverages if I'm going to be totally honest - but I don't think a stupid, overpriced beverage is worth the risk of taking after so many of my family members and becoming an alcoholic...so I'll stick to coffee!!!! I made that decision before I decided to become a pastor, so my feelings are independent of the A/G's stance.
Regardless of my personal beliefs, though, if I am a leader in a church that requires its leaders to abstain from alcohol, then I need to abstain. Period. Whether or not I "feel" that the Bible says it's okay for me to drink. It's about submitting to authority. If a person does not like that particular rule, then, quite bluntly, there are other churches out there that will support his or her decision.
It is absolutely ridiculous for them to be upset over your church's policy - you did not create said policy!!! And it's equally ridiculous for them to be upset with you for talking to your fiance. What do these people want more: to be leaders in the church, or to drink martinis? The fact that they are so upset over this issue speaks volumes!!
In my humble opinion? You and your fiance did the right thing. You brought the issue to your group leader, put it in his hands, and he took care of things the way he saw fit. Way to go!!
I think you did the right thing. Personally, I don't think Christians should drink any alcohol, but that is each one's conviction. I've just seen it destroy too many people/families (my own included) to say it's okay. HOWEVER, leaders should submit to your church's leadership policy. If they aren't willing to submit (as stated in above post), then they should not be in leadership... period.
Paul said he would not even eat meat if it would cause his brother to stumble. How much more does alcohol cause others to stumble?
Again, you did the right thing, IMO.
Blessings, Robin
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Rejoicing in HOPE, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12)
I personally have NO problem with alcohol, in moderation, in one's home. I don't think I would offer it to others simply because they may have issues with the stuff that I'm unaware of.
BUT
"HOWEVER, leaders should submit to your church's leadership policy. If they aren't willing to submit (as stated in above post), then they should not be in leadership... period."
Amen to that. This is one reason I would not be an AG pastor, though I've been a member of many. I just can't say one thing and then do another... though IMO the "another" (alcohol) is not a sin in the eyes of God, it would be a grievous sin to lie about it, or to say "I won't do it" and then do it anyways... sin under any circumstance, but I think it's compounded by sinning in order to keep preaching credentials.
I agree with what everyone has said here. It's no so much as whether it's a sin or not (it's up to one's own convictions on the matter.)
My personal view is - were I not an AG credentialed pastor, I would not see an issue with it in moderation only. However, because I am licensed with the AG, I abstain from any of it.
I am aware that many of the people in our church do drink, and that is their own personal life/conviction and what they do "on their own time" as long as they are in moderation is their business. (obviously it would be an issue if one of our leaders was drunk or abusing alcohol in any way...) I am aware some of them do have wine in their own home or out to dinner on a date or such. But at a leadership meeting? NO. NO. NO. NEVER.
I would personally think no matter what church you were in, even if you were not of ANY denomination...woult it really be wise to have alcohol served a leader's meetings? I think that is just totally unwise.
It sounds like maybe these people were not very mature leaders to think that through...
I know a young man who went to teen challenge for addictions and was really straightening his life out, he went with a well known ministry on a missionary trip. One night by the camp fire one of the leaders drank in front of him. It was a great stumbling block to the young man. I think we need to think deeper before we do things that will affect others and obstain from anything questionable for the "preciousness of others." That young man felt confused and bewildered in that context. He since then has relapsed back into addictions.
The situation described in the opening post was inappropriate and a stumbling block to others.
Confused , If the AG does not allow their leaders to drink alcohol. If a person , not leader is a member of the same church , they are given a membership booklet that quotes what is require to be a member of that church body. Does it not say to abstain from all alcohol. If so how can it be there business? Are they not expect to follow the rule set be for them. Not try to be difficult but see two standards here . Are we not all Priest unto the Lord. Even though I know leadership should alway have a higher standard . I do think if you attend a church that does not allow alcohol then you are doing a wrong to join and then participate in drinking alcohol . The scriptures have more verse against drinking alcohol than for drinking.
Not all AG churches operate the same, nor do all of them give out a membership booklet that states things like that. The membership requirements vary from church to church. With some things it is left up to the local body. Just as some allow board members to be divorced, some do not. There are variations from church to church in many things, but the 16 fundamentals of truth (our core doctrines) are the same. (Or at least they should be.)
Thank you for your reply but I do think that you should read on the AG web page on Position Paper under the belief section. This is the official statement by General Presbytery of the AG on Aug. 6th. 1985 on Abstinence of Alcohol. I know that as Pastors you can not babysit every member in your congregation. But as being members of the AG they should know where the AG stand on the issue. And not be water down to accommodate those in the congregation. I believe holiness and separation is becoming a loss message in the church to put more numbers in the pews. I know I have step on toes here. I am not comdemming but I am concerned for I do believe Jesus is coming soon. God Bless In Christ Trisha
The A/G has a position paper on pretty much every topic imaginable. It's become a joke in our house...whenever we're discussing any type of moral/ethical dilemma, my husband will say, "Well, why don't you check with the A/G? I'm sure they have a position paper on it."
Obviously, each church should be adhering to the 16 Fundamental Truths. Otherwise, why be an A/G church if you're not going to teach the basics of what we believe?
As far as the position papers go...yes, we have an official position against consuming alcohol. In the church in which I serve, leaders and ministry workers are required to abstain from drinking. If anyone asked, we would refer them to our denomination's official position, and would let them know that if they want to be involved in a ministry, they need to comply with it. And as a member, they are expected to serve in some capacity.
So I guess, in a roundabout way, membership in our body would require abstinence from alcohol.
One would hope that most people who sign their name to a document promising not to drink would take that seriously. But having graduated from a Christian college with a lifestyle statement, I am not that naive! Sad, but true.
In any case, Deanna is correct: legally speaking, each church is a "franchise," and as long as they comply with the basic core beliefs, they have freedom as a dues-paying member of an organization to create their own bylaws!
Not saying that it's right for a church to blatantly go against a major position that the A/G holds - but the district is generally not going to step in and monitor every single church to make sure they're complying with every single position that the national office has taken on every single issue.
Thank you for your reply. I knew my statement was not going to be popular. But I do understand what you are saying as far as the A/G. Personal from what I believe the Bible say, Pastors need to warn the people of the drinking of alcohol. Then if it is preached from the pulpit , the responsibility is no longer the Pastor but the people. If a door is left open or crack sooner or later bugs will enter into the house. Spiritual this is what happens to so many church people . We do not have all our doors to our spiritual house closed. And we give Satan accessed to come in. For the enemy(Satan) is the accuser of the brethren. Rev.12:10
I thes. 4:3 says abstain from all appearance of evil. I think this is a good rule of thumb to go by for all Christians.
Romans 14:21 (KJV) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Confused , 
