FAQs

What is Bar None and what's a pubchurch?

Good question. With all this emerging/fresh expression malarkey it’s often important to remember the basics. For us it’s just about doing the important stuff of church but in a pub. Some of us are Christians who struggle with doubts and the diversity of opinion within the church what’s ‘truth’. Some of us aren’t sure what we believe and are trying to work it out as we go along.

FAQs

What can I expect from a typical Barnone evening?

3 times a month looking at the Bible, not afraid to ask the tough questions, maybe even find a few ‘answers’. 7-8pm then just relaxing with a pint downstairs.

Once a month a bigger ‘event’. Stuff for the ears and eyes, usually some kind of theme for discussion.

Oh and you'll enjoy yourself....

Where do you get your teaching?

From reading the bible and discussing with each other. From reading what other people have written, from watching films that have made or songs they sing. Hopefully, ultimately from God.

FAQs

What about during the week?

On a Tuesday…

Once a month. The Last Supper Club. Communion without the vimto.

Once a month. The Bigger Picture. A film night without the popcorn.

Twice a month. Eat and Pray. Always in that order.

FAQs

Do Church and Alcohol mix?
We believe the answer is yes. They have done for thousands of years, where ever church has been about living together and eating together. Alcohol can be a very dangerous drug but we believe that what is really important is a healthy attitude, not just to drinking but our whole lifestyle. Nietzsche once said that Christianity and Alcohol were Europe’s two great narcotics. Maybe as my Gran used to say it’s about moderation in all things – especially religion.

Some people like churches but don’t like pubs. It’s unlikely then that they will enjoy a church that meets in a pub. Others don’t like churches but like pubs, if they are interested in the Christian faith they might like what we do.

;)

FAQs

So is it really a church? Or just a new way of reaching out to non-Christians?

If your definition of a church is very formal, pews, hymns, fancy dress etc then no, we are certainly not a “church”. But if you look at the early church in the Bible then you will see simply a group of people meeting together often in someone’s house informally to share experiences and to encourage. We are just that, a group of people meeting, in what is to us a natural setting, to encourage and lookout for each other.

If your idea of outreach is about persuasion or coaxing, then no we’re not outreach either. The questions we ask are not manufactured as a way of evangelising – they are honest questions we have about our own faith as we try to deal with doubts and frustrations.

FAQs

Isn’t this just a way of making church ‘cool’?

Hehe. No. Come and see for yourself.

Christians have often been guilty of this in the past, probably with all the best intentions. Frankly, Jesus either stands up to scrutiny or he doesn’t, this is either worth following or it’s a big con. Cool would be a bit of wasted energy really, people are more than capable of making up their minds and we live in a world of too much spin and not enough substance anyway.

FAQs

Why don’t you like traditional church?

Depends what you mean by like? We certainly don’t have a problem with it, but for many people, walking into a church building has its barriers. The pub hopefully helps people feel relaxed, encourages discussion and you don’t have to sing unless it’s karaoke night. We’re also part of Glenwood church, a traditional (but not in a negative sense!) church in Llanederyn www.glenwoodchurch.org.uk and have no plans to register ourselves as a cult in the near future.

FAQs

Will people try and convert me?
No, even though we are just a bunch of Bible bashers. God loves us anyway.

FAQs

How can I get involved?
Well firstly by coming down to the Gower pub in Gwynneth Street, Cathays, Cardiff, see the diary of what’s on.