Alcohol, Faith & Health - A Complicated Relationship?
An Anglican minister and a former Gray Area Drinker walk into a bar and talk about alcohol and the scriptures, and take questions from a 20-30 Something crowd. Listen to our conversation.
Photo Credit: Megan Tomlin aka Good Mood Food on Instagram, captured this picture and posted it in her IG stories. Thanks, Megan!
On Tuesday night I sat down with one of my ministers, Justin Hare, at Henry’s on the Market, the oldest restaurant/bar in downtown Charleston. We talked about alcohol — from a theological and physiological perspective.
The room was packed. Standing room only. The 20-30 Something audience had great questions for us. You can listen here.
I forgot to take pictures of Justin and me during our talk. But, here’s a picture of Justin at the Mount of Beatitudes on our Holy Land pilgrimage earlier this summer. He was leading our group through Holy Communion at the site where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Justin is the Assistant Minister for the Young Adult and College Ministry at St Philips Church Charleston, S.C.
We also visited Cana of Galilee on our pilgrimage. We went to the site where Jesus turned water into wine during a wedding ceremony. Pictured below is a first-century stone jar that was uncovered at the Cana wedding site. This is the type of jug that would have held the water Jesus changed into wine when he performed his first public miracle.
During that pilgrimage, Justin and I talked a lot about my work with Gray Area Drinkers. He invited me to join him as a guest speaker at the bi-weekly meet-up group —Theology on Tap — that he co-hosts in Charleston. I’ve been looking forward to joining this conversation about alcohol and the Christian life ever since our pilgrimage in June.
One thing I mentioned during our Theology on Tap discussion is how I think we’ve lost touch with our roots and origins — spiritually but also physically and emotionally. I recently added two new books to my nightstand that I can’t wait to dig into.
Subversive Sabbath — The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World
“The result of our Sabbath amnesia is that we have become perhaps the most emotionally exhausted, psychologically overworked, spiritually malnourished people in history.”~A.J. Swoboda
The Monastic Heart — 50 Simple Practices For A Contemplative and Fulfilling Life
“In every age there are those who have known the road before us and passed its signs on. It is that kind of wisdom sunk in bedrock and tested by the centuries that we ourselves now need to discover.” ~Joan Chittister
Finally, one of the questions the audience asked Justin and me was how to talk to loved ones if we’re concerned about their drinking. My suggestion is take the focus off of you and the “right” way to say something, and share an inspiring third party resource that speaks directly to choosing to step away from Gray Area Drinking, becoming Sober Curious or living alcohol-free for the health of it.
Here are four resources I mentioned during the Theology on Tap Q&A.
My TED talk on Gray Area Drinking
EDIT: Editing Our Drinking & Our Lives, the podcast that I co-hosted about Gray Area Drinking
This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
Andrew Huberman’s podcast episode on What Alcohol Does To Your Brain and Body
I really enjoyed this conversation with Justin and the overwhelmingly positive interest and large turn out from the young adults in their 20s and 30s. I look forward to continuing the conversation and joining Theology on Tap again soon!
—My next NOURISH Method coach training for coaches, healthcare practitioners, spiritual directors, begins September 25, 2023. This seven week training is for certified and licensed practitioners who want to learn how to coach, support, and resource their Gray Area Drinking clients and patients. Apply here.
—If you’d like individual coaching support, customized resourcing, and personalized accountability to break free from Gray Area Drinking, reach out to one of my master coaches who have all trained and work directly under me.
It’s very encouraging to see a room full of young people who are interested in learning about gray area drinking. Hopefully the seed was planted for many of them to explore alcohol free living and become excited about making that choice. It’s also encouraging to see a young pastor ministering to a room full of young people. I’m looking forward to listening to your interview with Jason.