Church Urges Bar, “Give Us a Shot!”

Catalyst Church in Ventura, California, has a new way to invite people to church. Shot glasses emblazoned with “Give us a shot!” on one side and the church’s website on the other were given out at dozens of bars as invitations to come to a Sunday service. Original? Definitely. Ethical? Yes, according to Chris Hall, the pastor: “We don’t condone drunkenness, but there’s nothing wrong with alcohol in moderation. We wanted to reach out to young adults, and this is where they hang out.”

Downtown Ventura has experienced a revival over the past decade, bringing in art galleries, bars, and restaurants where there were once only thrift stores. Thousands of young partygoers will find their way downtown on any Friday or Saturday night. Has Pastor Chris ever experienced any resistance? “Everybody’s been really cool who we’ve talked to. They are stoked to get a free shot glass, or they will respectfully turn it down if they aren’t interested. The only resistance has been from another church who was down here yelling at people to repent. They got pretty mad at us.”

Pastor Chris has plans to expand to the neighboring town of Santa Paula in the near future. He will give out shot glasses next summer at the monthly “cruise night” to promote a new church plant Catalyst will be starting in that city.

I asked Pastor Chris why he thinks the shot glasses have been so popular. His response? “Everybody needs the love of God … and most people need an extra shot glass.”


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