“All good stories, all good beer, all good people, for that matter, have an origin.” This is an interview with Chris Watkins, a co-founder of “What Would Jesus Brew?” It provides an in-depth look into why the group was started, and what motivates the existence of this movement.
Read More at American Craft: Los Angeles
The Beer Church movement is growing!
WWJB is in the news headlines:
American Craft, Los Angeles: WWJB? Chris Watkins – Part 1
Pirate Christian: Serve Beer to Attract Young People
This story supports responsible Christian drinking, but warns against replacing the worship of God with beer. They make a reference to our WWJB group, and we certainly agree with them. Beer is a blessing from God, but should not be confused with the worship of God. We are glad there are other Christian organizations such as this that promote responsible use of alcohol.
They provide reference to an NPR article about churches that are serving beer to attract people to church.
The Wisdom Daily: Church in Non-Traditional Spaces…Even Bars
Have you heard of pub churches? Craft beer, God, and community. Welcome to one of many new venues and ways in which people are doing religion.
Paste Magazine: 7 Unexpected Places to Find Beer
Think the bar is the only place you can get a cold beer? Think again. Craft beer is becoming so ubiquitous, it’s popping up in the most unlikely of places…like the yoga studio, and churches.
READ MORE AT PASTE MAGAZINE
Noticias Cristas Atualizadas [Brazil]: Christians gather in bars to study the Bible and drinking beer
Several bars of the United States are opening spaces for groups of Bible reading…one of these groups, the “What Would Jesus Brew,” the Valley Church, gets to use social networking to teach that the Bible does not condemn the assessment of drinks, but drunkenness.
Colorado Springs Gazette: Faith, Family and Beer – A Heavenly Toast
It might not be as popular as St. Francis or St. Patrick, but growing numbers of beer-loving believers in Colorado Springs and around the country are raising their glasses to St. Arnold, the patron saint of hop-pickers and brewers…Protestants have events such as “Beer, Bible and Brotherhood” and “What Would Jesus Brew?” according to a story on CNN’s Belief blog.
Read More at the Colorado Springs Gazette
Oglobo.com [Brazil]: U.S. Christians Create Groups to Study the Bible Drinking Beer
The Valley Church, Allendale, Michigan, is the headquarters of the group “What Would Jesus Brew?”, where beer is more than an adjunct of the discussion process. Their members declare mission “help people connect with each other and with God through the common appreciation of beer.”
Relevant Magazine: The Rise of the Beer Church
For years, beer and church were seen as being at odds. The long-bubbling streak of temperance that started with folks like Billy Sunday back in the Roaring Twenties led to clear lines between the piety of Sunday mornings and the revelry of Saturday nights. However, recent years have seen a growing shift of churches not only accepting beer, but adopting it. It’s being called “Beer Church” and while exact numbers are hard to come by, it’s attracting an awful lot of attention.
Read More at Relevant Magazine
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CNN: Praise the Lord and pass the beer, change is brewing among American Christians
Something is brewing among American Protestants, and it has a decidedly hoppy flavor.
CBC News: Churches using beer to attract new members
In an attempt to combat dwindling attendance levels and add new members to their shrinking congregations, some churches in the U.S. are starting to think outside the box — by embracing the bottle.
Huffington Post: ‘Beer Churches’ Bubbling Up Across U.S.
For many, church time is a sobering time. But for a growing number of American Christians, it’s the best time to crack open a beer…Religious leaders behind the trend defend this unique brand of worship. Among them is Pastor Matt Bistayi, who organizes Allendale, Mich., church meetings known as “What Would Jesus Brew?”
Christian News Network: Bibles and Booze: Congregations Across America Attempting to Attract New Members With Beer
A new report released by NPR outlines that a number of congregations across America are now using beer as a way to attract new members…The Wall Street Journal covered a similar story earlier this year in highlighting the new trend, introducing its readers to a Saturday night gathering held by Pastor Matt Bistayi, who started Valley Church in Allendale, Michigan.
Read More at Christian News Network