Should Pastors Drink Alcohol in Public?

It depends if they want their ministry to be successful or not. There is nothing wrong with pastors drinking alcohol. And, if requested, I could give you a plethora of scriptures to support this. However, it’s not the wisest decision to drink in public, because many who view him or her do not have an understanding of the scriptures as it relates to drinking alcohol. So, for their own protection, I would advise drinking privately or around friends they consider to be safe places.

Pastors should not drink alcohol in public. We are not to cause our brothers to stumble. Pastors should abstain from the very appearance of evil. We are also not to allow our good to be spoken of as evil. Culturally, in the US, alcohol, is associated with sinful and ungodly living. Alcohol is not evil and a sin in and of itself. However, to whom much is given, much is required. As Andy Stanley states, “there is no doctrine of fairness in the Bible”. But, there is a doctrine of righteousness. Pastors are held to higher standards than laity. One leadership principle I have learned is What leaders do in moderation, followers will do in excess. My father works as a CISD/PTSD Debriefing Chaplain with the FBI, ATF and DEA. He also serves as a training chaplain to local law enforcement agencies. His work with domestic disputes, vehicular accidents/homicides etc. has proved that a high percentage of incidents are accompanied with alcohol. Look forward to this dialogue.

I think that pastors should be free to do anything as long as it is not sinful. And the question of drinking is not sinful – but of course it’s about gluttony. If excessive drinking, then it’s a totally different question (“should pastors be permitted to get sloshed in public?”). Why can a pastor not enjoy a glass of wine or even a beer? Moderation and self-control. I think we’re beyond “causing a brother to stumble” – that’s too much pressure on pastors. “Hey pastor I saw you eating at IHOP the other day with your family, but you know what, I struggle with overeating and food gluttony so I think you are causing me to stumble by eating all those pancakes.” I respect pastors who choose NOT to because they want to demonstrate something or just avoid the appearance of something, but when I hear churches (and church leadership) put that as a law on pastoral staff, I cringe! Should a pastor have a tatoo? Should a pastor be seen shopping, spending the root of all evil? These are things that we do but do not mean they are sinful in and of themselves.

if they do at home.

Did Jesus?

there are so many other things i do in public that can be taken out of context… drinking alcohol would only be one of them. is this a question pertinent to more than just the ‘bible belt’? curious if pastors in other areas of the nation deal with similar stigmas.

nice question, I understand the other comments that say nay, however I would have to say that people that see someone that can drink, yet have the self control not to go to far can reach people that would otherwise just be turned away by the ‘I don’t drink’ line… But I do agree there are areas that the answer is just no…

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. –Romans 14:21-23, NIV, emphasis added

I see no compelling reason for a pastor to drink alcohol in public. At the least, not in American society, due to the social stigma around drinking.

Pastor Scott — how do you answer your own question?

Amen Pastor Scott. Much like that old illustration of walking along the edge of a high cliff. Better to say as far away from the drop-off as possible.

Of course this is a loaded question. which is what makes it such fun. I honestly don’t see a pastor drinking in public to be an issue at all. Drinking to drunkenness is a problem but not drinking. I think we should be bold about our faith and how we live. I think to say I would drink in private but not public isn’t a healthy position at all. If we can justify it in private we should be willing to educate people about it in public. This goes with rated (R) movies and the rest of the things that we choose to do in a hidden manner. I don’t do anything that I wouldn’t openly discuss with my children or congregation.
Creating controversy isn’t causing a brother to stumble…

Scott great question and my answer is NO! My son-in-law is my pastor and he do drink a little Grey Goose here at the house but, I would not want to see that in public. And I do have an understanding of scriptures but I don’t want to see my pastor out in the public drinking.

I think it’s really hard to come up with a solid arguement as to why you wouldn’t. I think it is easier to find a biblical standard for SO many other things that we do today.

What if the question was about greed? or having TOO nice of a car? or of wearing name brand stuff? or whatever…

there are a million things that the bible explicitly adresses that we still allow pastors to do/not do in public.

in fact, there is no precident for preaching a weekly sermon, but we still allow pastors….

but some people can choose not to drink. and that is fine. or maybe they choose to drink. that is fine. they’ll discuss it with their congregation and they’ll explain that their decisions aren’t necissarily “biblical” but they are personal convictions.

the church has attached such a horrible stigma to alcohol and tons of people see it as a hurdle that they must get over before joining into the community of the Body (which is simply not true).

i think we need to start taking the time to truly help people navigate the realities (both good and bad) of alcohol, instead of merely avoiding it.

for example: as a youth pastor, students always ask me about drinking and whatnot. It’d be much EASIER to simply tell them i don’t drink or to not drink so as to avoid navigating difficult conversations, but in all honesty, i truly love using those opportunities to talk to them about the realities of alcohol.

We realize this is only an issue in America, right? Pastors in other countries don’t even have to give it a second thought, they just have to make sure they partake in moderation.

I’m going to take a situational approach to this. I enjoy wine regularly, a cold beer or two less regularly and on occasion, a Comfort and Coke. I ordinarily do this in the privacy of my home, or the homes of friends who understand and support the Biblical view on the use of alcohol. I would not drink in a pub or restaurant in, say, a 25 mile radius of my hometown. But in a larger city like Chicago or Cincinnati I would have no problem imbibing in public.

We do have to protect the weaker brother – as long as we understand that we also have an obligation to help that “baby faith” immature believer grow up and stop being weak. And there’s no sense ruining something enjoyable because you’re worried about what some local might think and tell his/her friends about.

This the “The” slippery slope question. It will divide us forever. This argument pits us against one another for the sake of who is right, who is causing who to stumble, who God loves more, who God uses more… You can build your own brand of legalism and many have died on this hill. Paul said for those whose conscience makes something a sin. Its a sin. Some of you have made this sin. Others have liberty but are very careful where they exercise that liberty or choose not to at all – and are probably back to the yoke of voluntary legalism.

I love what Martin Luther said

“Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we then prohibit and abolish women?”

The answer is, this is absurd. The pancake example was a good one along the same lines. Appearance of evil? Maybe you shouldnt drink pepsi because some of the cans look like beer cans. That might make someone stumble. God forbid they think you are drinking a beer! Probably shouldnt watch the superbowl either – those godaddy commercials are bad. And Disney – Oh my. They support homosexuality and I wouldnt want to identify with that. I should boycott them. Of course they own ABC and I love LOST so thats really different, right? (By the way i’ve actually been to Disney during Gay week. It was nice because fewer Christians were there and it wasnt as crowded)

As I was sitting in the pub tonight drinking a Yeunling reflecting on the sin of drinking light beer and this blog post, I asked my lost friends if it was OK for me to drink in public. At first they misunderstood and thought I was asking “Is it OK for a preacher to pull out the flask during his sermon because he had a tough week and needs to take the edge off?” When they understood what I meant about public drinking they said – so wouldn’t it be hypocrisy to do it privately and NOT publicly because of some arbitrary taboo?

Seriously – If drinking is a sin then communion has to be Welches grape juice. Thank God I was baptist when I grew up so I never sinned.

Whatever you eat or drink – do that to the Glory of God! Isnt that the bottom line? Love God – Love others. And if it took Jesus death on a cross to save you – are you really niave enough to think you can add something to your life (or take away something) that’s going to help you in the next life. Is there another heaven? A better one?

Here is the modern Christian commandment. Love God, Love Others, Go to an Evangelical church that preaches the TRUE gospel and don’t drink beer (in public) and don’t watch R rated movies, and don’t smoke and don’t cuss and don’t chew tobacco and don’t watch Nascar (cause Godaddy has one) and only listen to Christian Music and only watch shows that focus on the family and avoid all appearance of evil and dress modestly and wear long dresses and put doilies on your head and never shave your beard and don’t be worldly so cut off your electricity and get a horse and buggy.

Good grief. Lets ask this question. While people around you are dying and going to hell what do you think is the most urgent discussion we should have? Im thinking its what style of worship pleases God the most. Thats whats wrong with the church today. Personally I think God likes Free Bird because old music is more Godly.

I think it depends on which country you ask that. Let’s face it, I think all pastors drink alcohol at home, so what’s the problem in drinking it in public ? As long as it’s moderated and he won’t get drunk I agree. The world these days and the people who leave in it are so evolved that things like pastors drinking beers in public is not impressive. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these days sex will be allowed in public. (sorry for being a bit off-topic).

Cheers

Not an issue for our household because we don’t personally drink. But I believe it would be a poor example for us to do in public (if we did) because of the whole causing someone else to stumble issue. I think it would be a big deal in this area if pastors were seen around town drinking (as a matter of fact it could end up on the local news channel, knowing some of our local reporters). Most churches don’t even use real wine at communion because of this very reason.

As as matter of fact my son’s first encounter with wine was at church during communion at the age of 15 . He hated it, and accused us of poisoning him (We didn’t know at the time that they served real wine). It was a long time before he would even take communion after that. He’s 25 now and still doesn’t understand why people feel a need to drink alchohol when there is grape juice, orange juice, punch, etc available(lol). By the way that church no longer serves “real” wine.

Growing up I heard of the deacons and deaconess drinking the left over “wine” in the back after service. May explain why most switched to grape juice. Some people only showed up on 1st Sunday for communion. Go figure!

Got to say I don’t know how I feel about the pastor who would do it in “hiding” at home, but not in public. Interesting question Scott. Really makes me have to think about stuff.

I say it’s okay…not a big deal. A drink is cool – espeically for dinner or a meal. But getting scummy drunk? That’s a different story.

The Lord did create the world for our enjoyment, but also put guidelines in place. It’s wonderful to look down from the mountain while traveling in a car, and I’m thankful guard rails are in place. God gave us enough sense to rightly divide the Word, under the direction of the Spirit, in order to walk out our faith.

If you justify drinking alcohol, even light of the scriptures quoted above, what’s next? Marijuana was created to be enjoyed, tobacco was created to be enjoyed, some would say. Is there no restraint? Are we free to do anything we want in the name of the New Covenant? I think not, but that’s just me.

How do those who claim that drinking wine is a sin handle the fact that Jesus made wine? Jesus, as the revealed God, made wine for men to drink. Wouldn’t that be akin to “going the extra mile” in helping His brother to stumble? That’s practically pushing the poor guy over the edge, isn’t it? Is it possible that there were people at Cana who might have been overindulgent when it came to wine and wouldn’t Jesus be a terrible man (as opposed to a good God) to create “good” wine for people who would almost certainly overindulge? Where in here do we hold men accountable for their actions like God does? I mean if just watching a pastor (who is nothing more than a man) drink wine could cause you to stumble, isn’t it almost a certainty that you will stumble upon seeing (or reading about) God making and drinking it Himself? Again, Jesus made and drank wine. It’s an inescapable, biblical fact. So, quite obviously, drinking it is not a sin or Jesus is a great sinner (because he did it in public). The fact is every prohibition of wine in the Bible refers to overindulgence as opposed to just drinking it. In fact, many of the same scriptures that speak of overindulgence in wine also speak of overindulgence in food. To those who claim that it’s best to stay completely away to avoid stumbling, I have to wonder – does the same apply to food? Is it best to avoid food entirely to avoid the perception of gluttony? Would that make you holy?

I guess this may depend on where you live and who you want to reach. Nothing in scripture says we can’t have a drink every now and then. I know when living in the legalistic Bible belt drinking is still seen as a sin, but then again what isn’t? The verse used regarding wine and meat…I notice no one says to give up meat. I say if you want to drink then head to the west coast where people don’t see alcohol as sin. My question is, who will stumble? Legalistic Christians won’t stumble, they will just judge you. Unchurched will see you having a drink and think nothing of it. In fact, they may actually think you are not one of those pastor who are focused on rules over relationships. Now if you are getting drunk then you have crossed the line. If you are overweight and up there preaching, then you should be more concerned about that!

i don’t think anybody should drink alcohol, wine,beer etc. my maternal grandad was a alcoholic. also his two sons. i will drink wine when it is made by JESUS because his wine tastes richer and gooder and don’t make you drunk or tipsy. i be learning this from john 2. don’t drink it in secret either.
i like free choice and despise addictive, compulsive, slavery.

What a awesome question to pose for opinions.I was raised that drinking was wrong..pastor or saint but through the years i find myself just falling before the Lord in humility and praying God keep me from ALL things that will cause a reproach on your ministry and may cause someone to stumble.My opinion (and its only mine not gospel)is if I am trying to keep justifying something more than not I need to leave it alone.I think we need to all just stay humble before God and I promise He will direct our paths.All you Pastors out there in my book “YOUR AWESOME” Lets build the Kingdom of God together.

We have to ask ourselves, Is drinking the will (or desire) of God? It either is or it is not. After studying it immensely, I have discovered that it is NOT God’s will–therefore, it would be wrong to drink. The closer you get to God in your rel. the further He will draw you away from those things you “want” to do.

Here is what Paul says and I don’t think that he was being legalistic. “In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside. 1 Cor 9:24-27 (TLB) Even world-class atheletes are subjected to performance enhancement drug testing, and that is just for a medal or recognition by men. We agree with this type of scrutiny, after all, the kids are watching and learning from these athletes and what are we teaching them. In like manner, why would we lower the standard for pastors or for that matter Christians, who are called into this race by the Master Himself. Better to have nothing, this side of heaven, hindering our race, or disqualifying our testimony by indulging in freedoms. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable…” 1 Cor 6:12.

“There is nothing wrong with alcohol and to submit to these ludicrous expectations hands down is an abdication of personal space…”

1 Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Your problem “Pastor” is that apparently you have not been bought, since you still wallow in your “personal space”

In controversial social issues, I always like to see what is congruent with our Lord.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. (14) I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15) Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. (16) Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; (17) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (18) For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. (19) Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. (20) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. (21) It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. (22) Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. (23) But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:13-23

This question is posed in a “clergy” fashion. There is such a thing as the “priesthood of all believers” so the question should go to any Christian. In fact, whether or where church members drink likely has more impact on community opinion than if a pastor has a glass of wine with his dinner in a restaurant.

Finally: that wedding in Cana was a fairly public affair. Do you think Jesus had any of the wine He made/supplied for everyone?

I’ve not met an unbeliever yet for whom a pastor drinking alcohol is a problem. In my experience it has been other believers. That said, having spend most of my life in the Bible Belt, and then moving to Milwaukee, I believe that it has a great deal to do with the culture (tradition) of the community.

It depends on the church you are pastoring. If you are confronting legalism, then yes, it would be strategic to lift a glass in public on occasion.

It’s not a matter of drinking in public, it’s a matter of excessive drinking in public. I was in Atlanta at a venue to see one of my friends bands play with John Mark McMillan(very well know Christian artist) and the pastors from my church were all there(my friend is a pastor’s kid) and all of them had a drink in their hand, and other well-know worship leaders, etc. from the area were there with a drink in their hand. BUT not a single one of them was drunk. If having a glass of wine or a beer when you’re out to dinner with friends/family or having a drink at a show is okay for non-pastoral people then it’s okay for pastors too, just as long as their staying as far away from excess just like everyone else should too.

I would like to add three things to the mix.

1.) Freedom – “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive. 1 Cor 10:23

2.) Purpose & Love – Creation’s purpose is to glorify God. Everything we do should be part of this and done in love. Specific actions and situations may open one up to different responses but remember your purpose. Does each action serve it? Is it done in love to God and others?

3.) Reality – 100,000 U.S. deaths are caused by excessive alcohol consumption each year
***At least once a year, the guidelines for low risk drinking are exceeded by an estimated 74% of male drinkers and 72% of female drinkers aged 21 and older.
***Nearly 14 million Americans meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders.
***Youth who drink alcohol are 50 times more likely to use cocaine than those who never drink alcohol.

Are Pastors part of the problem or the solution?

BTW there is no Pastor category in the Bible, so maybe you should include church leaders and teachers in this question.

Public is that big giant place were any and everything can be heard or seen . Whatever we perceive might happen at any given time or day has already happened at some point in time . If you saw your pastor in the local watering hole tossing back drinks.. would you think he was drinking grape juice .Of course not…we are not taught to think that way.. we would think he was getting plastered.If you saw a man running out of a bank with a bag in his hand we would think he robbed it..not trying to return it to someone who just forgot it. In other words we think to much. If someone keeps calling you a donkey turn around and see if you have a tail.
Don’t drink …if you do don’t get drunk.

I did a message on Christian Radio about this subject. It’s funny how Pastors and congregation’s, teach such things are sinful. Is it a sin to feel good? If Jesus never sinned, or stayed away from the appearance of evil, would he have turned the water to wine, been partying with the publicans, drank himself? The same people who think alcohol is wrong are the same ones that go out and eat like pigs, horde their money, gossip, lie, cheat, etc. Drunkenness, abuse,or to overdue something is the sin, not the thing you are doing.

Makes me laugh when I see pastors and Christians so boxed up in themselves and busy boxing God in, thinking they are righteous in what they do. They must really have some mental block or something. Even something like Marijuana, God created it and no man should make a law prohibiting something He made to make you feel good. I can see laws against things that are chemically treated and altered to something unnatural and a killer, but that is it.

People make decisions like this based on fear, experience with something bad that they see happened, misinformation, etc. If these people do not believe in Alcohol and feeling good then take away all their Tylenol, aspirin, high blood pressure medicine, Percocet’s, anti-depressants, etc. that make them feel good! They are all prejudice and do not know the truth and that is a bigger stumbling block then anything else!

Come visit my Church when I open, I’ll have a wine cellar with anointed wines, and beer. And I will also go ahead and put my own Cracker Barrel out front to catch the money on the way out to!

Love, Amedeo

I love the lord he is my savior and my God. All i have is one question… Somebody give me a time when alcohol helped them or a time when wine did more good then bad….weigh the odds here people has alocohol in our society done more to help or to destroy??? Is alcohol potentially more dangerous than it is helpful??? Let the holy spirit and the word guide our decisions as the set apart holy people of God. We should at all times consider our behavior as to wether or not our choices help others to God or not…

In the Old Testament the Priests were told to abstain from wine when they were doing priestly duties. This is somthing Paul picks up on when he tells Bishops and church leaders to BE SOBER. It is difficult to be sober with alcohol in your mouth. However Paul also tells the old women that they should not drink too much wine (Titus). Lucky old women can have their Hot Toddies’s while the church leaders should stick to an OJ – to not cause anyone to stumble.