Brewing Controversy: Beer Costs Church Plant $6,000 from Missouri Baptist Convention
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, January 02, 2008
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- (19) comments so far
“I’m aware that there are some Acts 29 churches affiliated with that organization … that use alcohol and even sometimes R-rated movies with content that has at least partial nudity to engage the culture with their church,” Marr said.
Marr is referring to two of Karis’ ministries, Movies and Mindmaps and Theology at the Forge. Theology at the Forge is a monthly meeting that takes place at The Forge & Vine restaurant in downtown Columbia. Those meetings aim to discuss a current event from a Christian perspective over a meal, Larson said - and, if people choose, to imbibe a beer. Movies and Mindmaps is another monthly event where a current movie is shown and discussed afterward.
“We are required by the Lord to live a life that honors him, brings glory to him … and there are certain things that impede, detract or keep us from our faithful commitments to the Lord - things such as using alcohol as a beverage,” Marr said.
The difference of opinion comes down to scripture, Larson said. Because the Bible does not prohibit alcohol, neither does Karis Community Church, he said.
Not everyone is happy with the MBC’s vote.
Roy Dameron, a layman with Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City and executive board member for the central region that includes Columbia, said he voted against the motion because he thinks it’s going back on the MBC’s word. Church-planting pastors sign an agreement with the MBC to abstain from alcohol and “teach strong Biblical warnings of the consumption of alcohol,” the agreement reads.
Larson said he has kept his word. He doesn’t drink, and he preaches against drunkenness. But those 28 members of the MBC executive board think any ministry where alcohol is allowed goes against its prohibitionist stance, Marr said.
Gerald Davidson, president of the MBC executive board, said taking a broad swipe at all Acts 29-affiliated churches in Missouri, when it’s unknown whether all of them tolerate the use of alcohol, is unfair. Marr admits he didn’t investigate all the churches and has not spoken with Larson.
“I would not take that position because there are some involved with them that would be right where” the MBC “would stand,” Davidson said.
Davidson said he planned to meet with other executive board officers two weeks ago to discuss the vote. Interim Executive Director David Tolliver said he was working to find a way to keep church-planting funding going to Karis Community Church and Believers Church in Hannibal. There are nine Acts 29-affiliated churches in Missouri, but only these two receive funding from the MBC.
Larson said the MBC offered to reinstate the $6,000 of funding if Larson agreed to end Theology at the Forge. Larson refused.
“Biblically, we’re not doing anything prohibited. Practically, we’re not doing anything wrong. We’re just having a meal and talking about things from a Christian perspective,” Larson said. “I can’t look my congregation in the eye and tell them we compromised everything we stand for for $500 a month to pacify some angry pastors.”
You can read more here in the Columbia Tribune...
FOR DISCUSSION: What do you think of the Missouri Baptist Convention’s vote? Was it justified? Did they go back on their word? Is the church wrong for offering their"Theology at the Forge” program? I’d love to hear your input...
Pastor Kevin Larson of Karis Community Church in downtown Columbia just lost $6,000 in funding from the Missouri Baptist Convention because he won’t forbid his church’s members from drinking an occasional beer. At its December meeting, the executive board of the Missouri Baptist Convention voted 28-10, according to the Baptist Press, to cut funding for all Acts 29-affiliated churches in Missouri. Acts 29 is a church planting, or starting, network based in Seattle. The motion came from Denny Marr, minister of education at Calvary Baptist Church in Republic, in response to what Marr thought was an abuse of "Christian liberty" by some Acts 29-affiliated churches, one of which is Karis Community Church.
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ram on Fri, August 01, 2008
I would agree if this church signed an agreement to teach the MBC belief then it should do so. However, my guess is behind closed doors a MBC rep with a heart for reaching our world gave his nod. Sadly some want to mandate something that just can’t be justified by scripture. thats cool
Barry Middleton on Fri, September 19, 2008
The argruments made by some in the church about the wine Jesus made was only grape juice has little weight about it. When we read the instructions given by Paul to Timothy about the Elders, and Deacons, it tells us that they can use a little wine, or no wine, depending on which one is referred to. If the wine referred to in the bible is only grape juice, why then can the Elders have no wine, but the Deacons can have “a little”.
BTW, I do not drink alcohol myself because of personal convictions. But nowhere in the bible will you find that merely drinking wine, or any form of alcohol is a sin. However, I believe the bible does teach us all, that if we continue to drink and become drunk, that is wrong, just like if we eat, and continue to eat ourselves into gluttony, that too is wrong, or if we judge those who do drink strong drink, that too is sin.
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riflescopes on Fri, October 31, 2008
In the New Testament, repeatedly refers to the fact that he used alcohol, even during his The Last Supper - wine.
The fact is that in the ancient language does not distinguish between perebrodivshim grapes wine and juice. The difference visible only from context. A context is the following: during the Easter holidays in the homes of the Jews there should be no leaven: “Seven days there should be no leaven in your houses because people will eat leaven, that the soul will be cut off from society [the children] Israel, whether the alien is or a natural inhabitant of the land “(Exodus 12:19). Based on this, I can safely argue that the wine which Christ used - there was no alcohol, but it was clean grapes juice. Some people try to argue that in a Palestinian was simply impossible to store wine neperebrodivshim long time. But this is just an excuse people who have no understanding of reality. The ancient people has long been known method of sterilization products. That is, grape or other juice bring to a boil and tightly stopper. As such, it can be stored for years, even with Palestinian heat.
Another condition is why we believe that Christ could not use alkogolnoe wine during the evening. The fact is that leaven synonymous with sin, especially in relation to Easter: “You have nothing to boast. Know ye not that little leaven kvass all the dough? So clear leaven old to be your new test, because you beskvasny, for Easter My Christ, zaklan for us. “Therefore will not celebrate the old zakvaskoyu not to zakvaskoyu vice and wickedness, but with opresnokami purity and truth” (1Kor 5:6-8; cf Mt 16:11,12; Luke 12:1 ). Thus, the unleavened bread and pure grape juice should symbolize sinless body and blood of Jesus Christ. If we use the Communion to leaven bread or leaven wine, it thus we say that Christ was a sinner, a sin against the body and blood of the Lord.
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