The eighteenth-century Anglican, William Grimshaw, who was of evangelical bent, was known for choosing a long Psalm before the sermon, so that he could make a quick dart to the nearby alehouses to round up any stragglers and drive them into church with his riding stick. I have not attempted this method to ministry, yet. In fact, if Grimshaw had been at St. James’ on November 7, he would have found the congregation collectively leaving church that evening and heading to the local pub for a night of theological reflection and conversation.

Pecan Point Gastropub and Brewery, located in downtown Texarkana, had previously served as the venue for a wedding rehearsal dinner. That night, the Rev. Douglas Anderson and I saw two families, people related and unrelated, come together and celebrate, converse and connect. The walls of the room resounded with life, and so we learned, and decided to enliven them with another ministry lingering on our minds.  

Pub Theology, Texarkana style, has kicked off – on a high note, and a high standard was set by inviting diocesan resident theologian, the Rev. Victor Lee Austin, to lead us in thinking theologically as a body together. This was not a time of gimmick to challenge notions about church and beer in southern Bible Belt culture, neither was it primarily evangelistic in conception, but a genuine time to nurture and deepen our existing life and thought together about God, in a venue that accommodates and encourages camaraderie in that venture.

We filled the whole room. We ate and drank and talked about “How God Causes our Free Actions,” searching out ideas both related and unrelated. Staying on track is a task to be prepared for. In my short time at St. James’, I have not heard so many thoughtful and penetrating questions in one sitting. I suspect we tapped a tenth. Neither have I seen so many guests mixed in with members in one setting. Pub Theology naturally lends itself to strike a theological chord in church members, as well as welcome guests into the fellowship of a body. On those two fronts, it was a success.

The night would have likely gone long past our welcome, if not wisely cut off at a timely hour. The reason being, to let our guests eat, for one, but also to retain the sense of thirst for more. And that, there is.

Whether or not people left intent on digging deeper into the topic at hand, or put it down at the door, the process and skill of thinking theologically was encouraged and embodied. Synapses fired, thoughts left the brain and exited the mouth for others to hear and participate with. Our first gathering has revealed that a pub uniquely fosters this activity. Churchill once said something along the lines of “we form buildings; thereafter buildings form us.” I cannot say what form to our body will result from a regular Pub Theology ministry, but I think we sensed the potter at work in that place.

I suppose all we could answer to Grimshaw would be, different times call for different measures. That, and, he would be pleased to know, we did not skip out on the Eucharist.

Cheers!