Church on Tap started like this...
It occurred to me one day that the older I get the less true male friendships I have. I think this is fundamentally true for all men at some point during our journey.
The older we get, the more entrenched we become. Little by little, the years pass. We plow ourselves into our families, our business, our routines...and time slips by. Interestingly, we start to think that we really don't need friends to lean on anymore. Men live oddly private, quiet lives and many stay in that bubble for a lifetime.
For others, life events occur that shock us out of that bubble. Whether it be separation/divorce, health, loss of a job and income, or simply the need for a friend with a truck...the need for trusting, lasting, male friendship is essential in our lives. It's a must!
Church on Tap is a response to just that...
Having a great beer (or two) and enjoying a varied conversation with other guys (some we know, some we don't) is healthy. For those married, having a night out "with the guys" once or twice per month is healthy for a marriage. Vice versa, of course.
For those people in the middle of crisis in their life, Church on Tap has been an interesting reminder that there are many other men going through just what you are. We learn from others, we grow strong through hearing how other men have reconciled personally as well spiritually the loss of a marriage, a job, health, etc.
I believe that God shows up at these events. He is in our conversation, he is why the group continues to grow. I believe that God wants us to live meaningful lives of contribution...in each others lives. I believe that he will do almost anything to get our attention. I believe that he wants men to share their life with each other and with him.
The Creator of the Universe wants your attention!
Our typical Meetup looks like this...
We meet monthly on Wednesday at a local brew pub. We typically meet in the Northend (North of Seattle, Eastside or Snohomish County). We will change locations every quarter unless we find a place we don't want to change from.
You will be given at minimum a 2 week notice of our next event. Please RSVP through meetup that you are coming. If you don't come, I'll be bummed, but I'll get over it. Life happens! Typically we get 2/3rds of the people who RSVP'd at the event.
Oh, one more thing. From time to time a guy will use an expletive at the meetup. Typically it is used as punctuation or to make a point. We allow 1 (one) 4 letter word per person per meetup (smile). But, typically one guy (you know who you are) uses all of ours for himself. As I am typing this, I am smiling.
I look forward to having a beer with you!
James
