“It’s always been kind of an interesting religious connection,” Dale says. “Manuel’s Tavern even has two clergy parking spots, originally created for the Cardinal who frequented the Tavern before he died.”

From his perspective, it’s a perfect place to explore faith. Alpha gatherings are casual, in keeping with the tavern’s low-lit ambiance. The DVD plays on big-screen TVs in the back room after 40 minutes of eating, drinking, and hanging out. The church provides the beverages. Then participants break up into two or three small groups for discussion.

“There are hard, difficult questions coming out,” Dale says. “People are taking it seriously enough to bring serious questions, which is probably the most encouraging thing for me. It speaks to God working, even though we’re not having altar calls every week.”

Questions range from “What does a relationship with Jesus mean?” “How and where do I read my Bible?” to “Is Christianity truth in the modern sense of the word?” “How can God allow so much suffering to exist?”

currents 20110801 manuels tavern“Every week something stands out,” Dale says. “We have a young couple coming, and the woman said she really wants to believe but finds it really difficult. The fact that she’s willing to show up every week and work on this and get at it is pointing toward something the Holy Spirit is doing in her life.”

The discussion ends at 9, but those who want to stay hang out at the bar, inviting a new round of discussions with people who ask what they’re doing. Dale is happy sitting at the bar in his clergy collar, holding a mug and talking to new friends about God.

“I take a very long view of discipleship and salvation, so I don’t get too anxious or bothered if people don’t start to immediately convert or immediately start acting like saints,” he says. “It’s a process. But if people are coming, it seems the Holy Spirit already has them in His net.”

Learn more at The Advent Atlanta. http://theadventatlanta.org/