For anyone that’s ever read LOTR or The Chronicles of Narnia, it’s not hard to wonder where Tolkien and Lewis got their inspiration for places like “The Green Dragon” after you’re a patron of a traditional Irish, Scottish or English pub. Someone recently asked me the difference between a bar and a pub. And it’s a great question, the subject matter actually having a valuable point.

My experience with what I’ll call “typical bars,” both in playing at them and even just walking by, can be summed up in three basic words: loud, uncultured and obnoxious. There are certainly exceptions, such as “southern” types that have a large stage and invite well-studied country and blue grass groups, even promoting traditional line dancing.

But a pub is an entirely different place, one not commonly known to Americans.

Typically you won’t find drunks sloshed over the counter or leering at women; people don’t come to pubs to run from their troubles. Typically you won’t ever see a fight; people don’t have enemies at pubs. And typically you won’t be blasted by generic Top 40, 3-minute, one-hit-wonder songs; people at pubs could care less about the current greed-smeared generic noise of the day.

That’s because a real pub attracts a different kind of person, one who prefers talking about their life rather than trying to wash it away; a person who doesn’t see the patrons as strangers but as new friends to be made; and a person that prefers the legacy of true musical art passed down over generations.

Huh. That almost sounds like church.

And perhaps that’s why I’ve grown so fond of them and felt so free to look for opportunities to let the Jesus inside of me out while there.

Wayne Batson and I certainly had an amazing time at Scranton’s very own The Banshee. We pecked away at our keyboards both at the hotel and over lunch at one of the pub’s 200+ year old tables. And in those moments of discussing theology, plot development and life in general we felt like Lewis and Tolkien, sitting around a table at The Eagle and Child (minus the pipes).

But more than the time spent writing and sharing, it was so much fun to watch how the Lord opened opportunities for us to be Christ-like to people, sometimes to their surprise–and our own.

Due to last year’s visit, this year we had the chance to sit down with both owners and one of their fathers (an older gentleman that still runs triathlons!). They’re pictured just below (left to right: Wayne, Chuck, Melanie, Kathleen, me). We talked about the business, the horses they own, and Wayne even brought up the Lord and how relationships are the most important thing. While the traditional Irish band played on behind us, it became apparent as you looked around the place that people were the most important thing here. Them, and the conversations they were having.

Immediately I thought of Jesus and the cross. What did He die for? A business? An organization? A 401-K plan? A painting? A church building?

He died for people. They are the most important thing to Him. And then it hit me…

…they should be to me, too.

Handing out a bookmark to a little girl provoked an enthusiastic response from her and her mother; they turned out to be Christians, excited to know of more books to read, and offered to spread the word to their local churches. Two musicians ended up knowing my father; in fact, I met them over 15 years ago when they recorded at my father’s studio! I got to catch them up on the amazing things the Lord has done in my life. And sharing my love for Jesus and His kingdom with one of the owners and watching her smile was such a treat.

And after all that the owner’s father, learning of our musical gifts, immediately opened the door for us at The Banshee and asked if Jennifer and I would consider coming down to perform. As I drove home and related this last bit of news to my wife, she said, “You know, I feel like we’re not called to entertain Christians; they have enough good bands for that. We’re called to reach the lost, to go where they are.” Funny how just two weeks ago she told me to pray about doing a pub tour.

Guess we got our first gig. The Banshee calls.

I think that often we completely misinterpret the Biblical mandate of “being in the world but not of it.” In my own spiritual pride, and mostly fueled by fear of “becoming like them,” I read it, “Live on planet earth, but stay to your own kind and keep away from evil sinners.”

Sure, we’ll find those who hate us (1 John 3:13). They’ll mock, threaten and even kill, just as they did to Jesus. But the Jesus I read about in scripture loved them so much–loved being around them, eating with them, talking with them and simply encouraging them–that they loved him. Better put, they adored him.

I wonder how many sinners adore me today? Ha…what a funny question to pose. I wonder how many of them see so much of Jesus in my eyes, whether they understand it or not, that they’d rather be with me than anyone one of their “worldly” friends? And perhaps I do indeed have that much of Jesus glowing in my eyes–I’d like to think so–but because I haven’t placed myself in proximity to them, among them but not of them, they’ll never know.

Certainly you must walk with the light you’ve been given and know what you can handle as a person–I got it. Walk in accountability and mutual submission; that’s Biblical! But going to where the perishing are is also Biblical! When will we finally stop making excuses and just be the Spirit filled, Holy Ghost anointed, divinely justified witnesses of the Gospel that Jesus commanded us to be? If you’re in ignorance in some area of your life, learn all you can and invest into the Word constantly. But if you know the Truth and souls are slipping into an eternity forever separated from God on your watch, I suggest you get your game face on and start loving the lost with everything that’s in you.

And since most pubs are already so much like churches, it shouldn’t be that hard to bring the Light there. They’ve probably been waiting for it for a long time. At least that’s what I plan on doing.

Be encouraged! Bring the light and love of Jesus into every situation you’re in! And don’t see the lost as your adversaries–see them as your inheritance! If one doesn’t want you, don’t get hung up…there is someone else right behind them who really needs some hope. Is your Banshee calling? Your work place? Your school? Your grocery store? Where is God calling you to demonstrate His divine love? You can’t lose!

Thanks for reading. May you be provoked to action.

CH

(Below is a signed plaque we presented the owners; they immediately hung it on their wall. Wayne and I thought it was picture worthy).