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Should a Church be involved in this?

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mcmurry

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So my small South Arkansas town has spent several million dollars building a performing arts venue about a block off the downtown square. In the last 10 + years, we have lost half our industry, and at least 10 K in population-from 28 K down to a little over 18 K. They hired some consultant who convinced them that tourism was the way to go. The one restaurant received a permit to sell alcohol, and at each concert, vendors will be selling alcohol also. The 3 downtown churches are selling parking spaces in their lots, because parking is severely limited. My church is doing this and dividing the money between a local foster home to build another house, and our benevolence committee. I know that everyone attending these events will not be drinking but, I'm not sure about receiving money from this. I was taught years ago that wearing clothing with the name of alcohol companies, or eating at restaurants with an open bar promotes drinking. Yes I know the Bible does not prohibit drinking! But, does this fall under the don't cause your brother/sister to stumble passage?
 
Not relevant.

Just as a side note...
Performing Arts centers (play and dance theatres) are notorious for having "less than uplifting" themes in place.
Granted in the rural areas these are easier to keep more civilized than in big cities...

I just came from one in use this past spring where my Sister in Law had been part of dance lessons her whole grade school and high school career. They held a recital. It was fun and unique. Wouldn't have happened if people hadn't donated money to build the place.

Town plays benefitting a charity can happen there as well.

But to close off the parking lot because of alcoholic beverage sales is going to be not perceived well unless your church is part of Salvation Army or Amish.

Your church would be seen as an offshoot of Westbrook or something like that.
 
plenty of charity fundraising often involves beer here. I see no problem as the person who consumes, not the church parking lot or the church itself is responsible as the church isn't open!
 
So my small South Arkansas town has spent several million dollars building a performing arts venue about a block off the downtown square. In the last 10 + years, we have lost half our industry, and at least 10 K in population-from 28 K down to a little over 18 K. They hired some consultant who convinced them that tourism was the way to go. The one restaurant received a permit to sell alcohol, and at each concert, vendors will be selling alcohol also. The 3 downtown churches are selling parking spaces in their lots, because parking is severely limited. My church is doing this and dividing the money between a local foster home to build another house, and our benevolence committee. I know that everyone attending these events will not be drinking but, I'm not sure about receiving money from this. I was taught years ago that wearing clothing with the name of alcohol companies, or eating at restaurants with an open bar promotes drinking. Yes I know the Bible does not prohibit drinking! But, does this fall under the don't cause your brother/sister to stumble passage?

hello mcmurry, dirtfarmer here

Are all the members of your church teetotalers? If some of the members drink a beer once and a while, do you refuse their offering or do you accept it? It only falls under" don't cause your brother or sister to fall" if there are weak brothers and sisters from your church that frequent those places where they think you shouldn't be anyway.
 
No I don't drink. I have tried a few things, like beer and mixed drinks, even wine coolers. I thought they were nasty. I have no problem with people buying alcohol and taking it home to drink. However, I am against public drinking. People I've known in the past, who own restaurants, have told me that if they sell alcohol, and people come to their restaurant, then the customers support them selling beer. Even if they don't buy any alcohol.There seems to be more violence connected with alcohol and large groups of people though.
 
The potential problems with drunk drivers wrecking into other cars or church property or even pedestrians would seem to outweigh the financial benefits of extending parking spaces to attendees of secular functions. What about the potential of fist fights amongst the paying "guests"? Vandalism? If a crime occurs on church property and the church fails to provide adequate security.....what are the church's civil liabilities? I sure wouldn't rent out my own property for such a potential "can of worms" .....why risk the church?
 
I did hear of one person kept leaving and returning. It was thought he might be selling something, but not known for sure.
 
So my small South Arkansas town has spent several million dollars building a performing arts venue about a block off the downtown square. In the last 10 + years, we have lost half our industry, and at least 10 K in population-from 28 K down to a little over 18 K. They hired some consultant who convinced them that tourism was the way to go. The one restaurant received a permit to sell alcohol, and at each concert, vendors will be selling alcohol also. The 3 downtown churches are selling parking spaces in their lots, because parking is severely limited. My church is doing this and dividing the money between a local foster home to build another house, and our benevolence committee. I know that everyone attending these events will not be drinking but, I'm not sure about receiving money from this. I was taught years ago that wearing clothing with the name of alcohol companies, or eating at restaurants with an open bar promotes drinking. Yes I know the Bible does not prohibit drinking! But, does this fall under the don't cause your brother/sister to stumble passage?
My first reaction is what about the church's liability when they sell parking spaces? Does that differ than when people just use the parking spaces?

On a side note. Of course offering alcoholic beverages on the menu promotes drinking. How else does one consume them? Offering other beverages promotes drinking as well. Offering food promotes eating. That is what they are in business for. I don't see the connection between restaurants offering alcoholic beverages and drunkenness, which is what I suspect you meant when you wrote that it promotes drinking. If this is true then restaurants that offer food promote over-indulgence or gluttony and possibly leading to obesity. Over-indulgence and gluttony are sins too.

Suppose I have a problem controlling myself with alcohol. Who is it that puts the stumbling block in front of me if I decide to enter an establishment that offers liquor?
 
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