Photograph by Jamie Street via Unsplash

This topic has a personal dimension to me. I’m an alcoholic, and for the sake of my own health and well-being, and that of others, I do not drink. I also put some boundaries around my exposure to alcohol for my mental health. As just a few simple examples of church-related functions where alcohol has been included that resulted in excluding my participation, I can think of whiskey tastings at synod theological conferences, a national conference actually called “Theology Beer Camp,” social media posts from gatherings of bishops featuring alcohol consumption, to name a few. Each of these events, though I’m sure fun for many participants, operates at a baseline of exclusion for many alcoholics that I really believe most non-alcoholics struggle to recognize.

The Case for Radical Accommodation

First, consider how event organizers already accommodate diverse dietary and accessibility needs to ensure that everyone can participate fully. If we go to these lengths for dietary preferences and allergies, physical access, and sensory accommodations, it stands to reason that we should also consider the impact of serving alcohol on guests who may have an unhealthy or harmful relationship with it. While those struggling with addiction often focus on their own behavior rather than expecting others to change theirs, the presence of alcohol at an inclusive event can subtly reinforce exclusionary norms, sidelining those who don’t drink. Since such gatherings around alcohol are the “unofficial” official space where much continued community work moves forward, it additionally excludes those who don’t drink from essential conversations.

A decision to omit alcohol from the menu, then, can be one more step toward creating spaces that genuinely support everyone in attendance.

This argument gains even more traction when considering community events in the church context. Historically, church communities have worked to create a sense of spiritual and social sanctuary, striving to be places of refuge and accountability. For many, church gatherings offer a place to find stability, freedom, and belonging – a foundation that’s inherently at odds with centering alcohol.

Clergy Addiction and Alcohol-Centric Church Events

The issue of alcohol becomes even more complex in spaces like church conferences, where addiction among clergy is a documented concern. Church leaders often contend with demanding, high-stress environments, where social drinking might seem like an acceptable way to unwind, leading to an unhealthy culture that some would call widespread. When church gatherings consistently serve alcohol or even center it in social events, it risks normalizing or minimizing a serious problem within the clergy and may quietly discourage those in recovery from attending or fully participating.

This call for alcohol-free events isn’t about imposing a moral restriction on others’ choices. While some pietist traditions in the church once opposed alcohol on moral grounds, the original motivation behind the pietist stance on alcohol was rooted in social justice and community repair rather than individual morality (see, for example, Daniel Williams’ essay “The Lost Social Justice Ethic of the Temperance Movement”). Pietist communities responded to societies rife with alcohol abuse and its effects on family and social structures, hoping to foster health and solidarity by choosing practices that respected and restored those who had been harmed by addiction and the systems enabling it. They then extended this thinking to other social justice issues, notably abolitionism. Embracing alcohol-free gatherings today can draw from that same social conscience, valuing the health of the whole community over personal preference or fleeting trends.

Consider the PCUSA social statement “Alcohol Use and Abuse: The Social and Health Effects” that approaches alcohol abuse as a social issue and policy matter. As Williams points out, “Abstaining from alcohol is ‘encouraged,’ but not mandated,” and “even for those who chose to drink, the report suggested that alcohol abuse was a significant social problem that the church had a biblical and theological mandate to address. ‘In our own time Shalom is destroyed in a special way by alcohol use and abuse,’ the PCUSA report declared. ‘This breaking of shalom not only has personal implications of enormous and tragic import for millions of Americans but also results in destruction and cost of catastrophic magnitude to the society. This crisis calls Christians and others to a new level of personal responsibility for Shalom; it also requires more effective public policies to minimize the danger, destruction, and tragedy.’”

Williams adds that “the report concluded with an exhortation directed to those who might argue that they had individual Christian liberty to consume alcohol. ‘As faithful stewards of God’s gifts,’ the report said, ‘we must channel and balance personal Christian freedom with an acute and prophetic sense of social understanding and social responsibility to both the Christian community and society at large.’”

This is especially relevant in light of the recent but ultimately fleeting enthusiasm for churches meeting in brewpubs or having faith gatherings that encouraged alcohol as part of a “hipster” model of church. While some may have seen these venues as a fresh take on ministry, they often prioritized a niche social experience over sustainable inclusion, serving as more of a passing gesture to the community than a lasting, viable practice.

The Practical Upsides of “Straight-Edge” Gatherings

Beyond these philosophical reasons, organizing alcohol-free events comes with practical benefits. For one, it’s a cost-saving measure: not having to serve alcohol or provide a licensed bartender means more room in the budget for higher-quality food or additional activities that could deepen participants’ sense of connection and community. Furthermore, with an alcohol-free event, organizers can feel assured that everyone will leave in a safer, more coherent state. Events designed to be welcoming should be safe for guests in every sense of the word, including when it comes to returning home.

Alternatives to Alcohol at Church Events

If churches were to step away from alcohol-centered gatherings, what could replace that tradition? There are plenty of ways to ensure that gatherings remain vibrant and engaging without the need for alcohol:

1. Craft Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Consider offering artisanal, non-alcoholic cocktails, crafted to deliver the sophistication of traditional cocktails with inclusive ingredients. These drinks, combined with fresh fruits, herbs, and spices, can add a level of delight and interest while keeping the social setting inclusive.

2. Interactive Social Activities: Rather than providing alcohol as a social catalyst, organizers might consider activities that naturally bring people together – whether it’s a trivia game, tabletop role-playing games, or even interactive art stations. By centering activities that encourage engagement, events can foster genuine connections without relying on alcohol to loosen up participants.

3. Community-Centered Communion Practices: For church-specific gatherings, offering a single communion option that includes non-alcoholic juice can be both a symbolic and practical gesture, reinforcing the inclusive atmosphere. Many church communities have already adopted this practice, which not only affirms the presence of those who abstain from alcohol but subtly embodies the value of radical hospitality at the heart of Christian fellowship.

In place of alcohol, these alternative options build connection and creativity in ways that are healthier and more inclusive.

A Biblical Vision for Radical Hospitality

Finally, a look to Scripture and the life of the early Christian community offers additional support for an inclusive, sober gathering model. When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he emphasized communion as a celebration of togetherness and mutual love. Acts 2:46 tells of believers breaking bread with “glad and sincere hearts,” suggesting that the early gatherings were meant to uplift everyone without creating divisions or distractions.

Embracing a “straight-edge” approach to public and church events aligns beautifully with this spirit of open-hearted inclusion and community. As we consider how to best serve those around us, going alcohol-free may well be one of the most profound gestures of hospitality we can make. Rather than asking people to fit themselves around established norms, we build events that are genuinely welcoming for all.