The Bartender's Assistant

A Guide for the Journey

Blair

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2010
• eBook ISBN: 9781498272582
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

Mike McNichols has created a marvelous fable about evangelism, spiritual formation, faith community, and ministry leadership in The Bartender. This is a study guide to that book. It was written by one who has led several discussion groups on The Bartender and who discovered that readers found it deeply fascinating. The issues it raises are so relevant to many contemporary conversations about how those who believe intersect and interact with those who may not... or those who do but don't know they do yet. Mike McNichol's choice to discuss these issues in the context of a fable made them accessible in ways that a more didactic approach would not have. As a result, this guide has been adapted for the use of a more general audience. Specifically, it's been formatted into twelve sessions for those who would wish to read, discuss it, and practice its principles together over a defined period of time. Of course, it can be adapted for other schedules and formats. Whether you're reading this on your own or as part of a group, The Bartender's Assistant is a helpful guide for the journey.

Session 1

The Prologue

. . . in which we discover that we are reading a story about regrets.

“Do nothing without deliberation, but when you have acted, do not regret it” (Sirach 32:19).

1. Who or what is Sirach?

2. “People who lack religious affinities can embrace regret once they recognize that something is horribly wrong with the world and there is no solution to be found” (p. viii). Do you agree that unreligious people believe that there is no solution? What if they believe religion is what is horribly wrong with the world?

3. What is your understanding of God’s will? Read Romans 12:2 and then answer the question again.

4. Have you ever felt that God was being deceptive? That He is an astonished and secretive parent? That what the Bible says about Him “just doesn’t work?” How have you navigated through that experience? How could you help another?

5. What hopes or concerns do you have about reading a “story about regrets?”

Chapter 1

. . . in which we meet Pastor Paul Philips and Music City Community Church.

“I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14).

1. Do you share Pastor Paul’s concern about “transfer growth” as opposed to the evangelization of new Christians?

2. What kind of church is necessary to effectively reach those who are unchurched? Can an existing church do that, or does one need to start from scratch with a church plant?

3. Think about the exchange between Paul and Ralph in light of the believer’s dual commitment to authentic community and effective outreach. Can a church do both effectively or must one suffer in order to serve the other?

4. Who is ultimately responsible for caring for the insiders? For reaching the outsiders?

5. Is it a good or bad thing when people leave a church? How can you tell the difference?

6. Is it harder to reach the unchurched now, in this generation, than it was in the past? If yes, why is our message not resonating?

7. What counsel would you give Pastor Paul at the end of Chapter 1?

Session 2

Chapter 2

. . . in which we discover how Paul ended up becoming a pastor, of all things.

“Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad” (Acts 26:24, KJV).

1. “Paul Philips often felt like a like spiritual misfit” (p. 6). He didn’t feel like he belonged in church ministry. Have you ever felt the same way?

2. Was being part of the ministry staff of a church ever part of your plans or hopes for your life?

3. Where have you felt or seen the “celebrity” syndrome Paul was captivated by?

4. How easy or difficult do you think it is for someone with “depth and integrity” (like Dr. Grayson) to survive in a denominational setting? Why?

5. Do you ever feel like church life gets caught up in stupid, picky things . . . like the locations of the piano and organ in the sanctuary?

6. Pastor Paul had a growing conviction that “following after this ever-present, ever-working God was the most important thing in the world” (p. 10). How does “following after” God differ from other approaches to ministry?

Chapter 3

. . . in which we discover why Paul loved his church.

“It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).

1. How does the architecture of a place of worship affect our feelings about the spac...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Foreword
• Preface
• Session 1
• Session 2
• Session 3
• Session 4
• Session 5
• Session 6
• Session 7
• Session 8
• Session 9
• Session 10
• Session 11
• Session 12
• More About . . .