A rock 'n' roll bar with a neon "Pabst Blue Ribbon" sign in its window and truck-driver kitsch seems an unlikely setting for a room full of devout Christians gathered for prayer.

But on a recent Sunday evening, a small crowd gathered in the back room of Trash Bar in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood as a band warmed up onstage. Friends greeted each other with handshakes and hugs by the bar; some sat in the ripped-out car seats that line the bordello-red walls to chat.

By the time the band began to play "Glory to God," about 40 people had assembled. Some were clean-cut, casually dressed young professionals; others sported tattoos, T-shirts, and sneakers. Many closed their eyes and lifted their hands while they sang along with the band. Some knelt to the floor or sat with their heads in their hands as they prayed.

A small crop of evangelical groups like the Church at Trash Bar have begun gathering in informal locations throughout Williamsburg over the past year, holding services in bars and cafes and promising an open environment for those who have given up on traditional churches but remain interested in worshipping in casual settings.

The Church at Trash Bar is one of a handful of New York congregations affiliated with the Vineyard Church, a looseknit Pentecostal denomination of about 1,500 churches worldwide.

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Filed under: * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Evangelism and Church Growth • * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches • Pentecostal

1. Branford wrote: Sounds a little bit like the Roman Catholic “Theology on Tap” where young people meet in various bars around town to discuss Catholicism and listen to speakers. September 3, 8:29 pm | [comment link]

2. libraryjim wrote: Banford, The Catholics also have a program called “the Dead Theologians Society” (SM) designed for College students where they sit around and discuss Catholicism from the writings of Theologians such as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, etc. September 4, 8:19 am | [comment link]

3. libraryjim wrote: 1) A priest, minister and a rabbi walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and says “What is this? Some kind of a joke?” 2) Two ministers walk into a bar.  The third one ducked. September 4, 8:21 am | [comment link]

4. libraryjim wrote: But seriously, is this any different from Jesus taking his message where the sinners were? Zaccheus, Simon, etc. ? I would hesitate to take children to such a service, but do you remember the ministry of Arthur Blessit on Sunset Strip back in the 70’s (I don’t either, but I remember reading about it)? He did the same thing and probably started the whole Jesus People movement in Van Nuys and Hollywood almost singlehandedly. Peace Jim Elliott September 4, 8:24 am | [comment link]

5. libraryjim wrote: Here’s a link to Arthur Blessitt’s web site and another for the history of “His Place” on Sunset Strip back in the 1960’s - 1970’s.  I met him twice—once in West Palm, and another in Panama City, FL., where he autographed the three books I have that he wrote.  What a fantastic testimony he has. Peace Jim Elliott September 4, 4:18 pm | [comment link]

6. MablePETERSON28 wrote: That is understandable that money makes us independent. But what to do when somebody has no cash? The one way only is to try to get the credit loans and student loan. May 12, 7:55 pm | [comment link]

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