I’ve found it interesting too. The church appears to be run by Alister Pate (alisterpate.com). A few other links I was sent on the Cafechurch Melbourne:
alisterpate.com/2013/08/12/on-doing-church-in-a-pub/
Thanks Steve, for your question. A life without “disease, nor curse, nor sin…” etc. informs my Christian/social ideals (I see them as one and the same). I’m not going to add Christ (nor God) to abolitionism or socialism or anarchism. And nor will I add abolitionism or socialism or anarchism to my Christian faith. I see Christ’s life, death and resurrection as pre-eminent and demanding an authentic life of universal equality and liberty and love. I am definitely not leaving God out of my “personal quest”. If it has any similarities with any other worldviews, well, it simply has many similarities with other worldviews — the Word goes out to inform all, clearly even those who become nonChristian abolitionists and socialists and anarchists. So whilst I don’t universally agree with Gregory of Nyssa or Origen, (nor Bakunin or Kropotkin), I think they would probably agree, generally, with my summation here in regards to social views. I’m not entirely sure why it would be relevant if we did disagree concerning the purpose or importance of prayer. Or why it would even be relevant if I were actually sinning in my beliefs about prayer. But as for social views, yes, I think we probably agree. But as for the Stale Conversation thread, my post there has been widely misunderstood. I’m not sure whether it was actually directed towards me, but it has even been expressed that someone had difficulty believing in an interventionist God on that thread. That doesn’t follow at all from anything I’ve ever said, nor anyone else’s posts on that thread. I believe God intervenes always (that’s more than most!), though resistibly. I believe conversation with God is necessary for a healthy relationship with the divine. I believe petitionary prayer is incredibly valuable and important. But to clarify my thoughts there, I have simply reduced my intentional pray. I am not intentionally avoiding prayer; I’m just reducing intentional prayer. As I said, “I think there are innumerable and diverse ways in which God might call us (as individuals) to commune with him, and therefore it’s still my habit to have frequent conversation with God.” Prayer is important. And always has been. Peace and Godspeed.
Yes, Alister Pate is the pastor of our Pub Church. He’s a thoughtful and compassionate guy, and his blog is an interesting read. I would certainly encourage people who are interested in emerging/emergent Christianity to keep an eye on it.
Cindy, I’m really glad you’re enjoying it! Thanks for your kind words.
It seems to me that Augustine (who believed both in divine determinism and eternal hell) was the** first** Christian thinker who justified torture and perhaps even the killing of heretics, as well as a state religion.
Am I right?
HE didn’t justify the killing of heretics. He advocated persecution through fines and imprisonment against the Donatists (who paradoxically were refusing to take back Christians who had cracked under persecution - so were being too severe). His teacher Ambrose had been shocked by the first burnings of heretics by Christians. However, Augustine did give a systematic and authoritative justification of persecutory measures - and of ECT to boot. Well that’ what I remember from the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church articles (always a good and reliable source) 
Hi Andrew,
You said:
So true! In the family I mentioned who owned slaves, two or three generations later they fought on the Union side in the American Civil War. (Of course that brings up the issue of war/pacifism etc.) I agree with you and Kate that our own complicity in modern slavery is so disheartening and overwhelming. 
I am so looking forward to your thoughts on how we can address this scourge and “slowly chip away” at it (and end or minimize our own complicity).
P.S. I’m really enjoying some of Alister Pate’s blog posts! I echo Kate in wishing there was a “Pub Church” where I live. 
Yes, Steve – very much so!
And Andrew, please tell us what we can do. I think we all want to help.
I, too, am shocked by the use of violence to control other christians thinking. There are people on this forum who would have been burnt at the stake if they were living in the 4th century. This is why I believe that the church took a detour off the path from the 4th century.
I really need to study up on that 4th century, it sounds like a fascinating time, and a time of great consequence for the Christianity that came out of it. Steve do you know a good study source for that period?
There are a lot of book written from and about this period. Some that I have read and found useful are:
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The Jesus Wars, by Philip Jenkins
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AD 381, by Charles Freeman
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Ecclesiastical History, by Theodoret
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Ecclesiastical History, by Socrates Scholasticus
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Ecclesiastical History, by Philostorgius
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Conflicts of Conscience and Law in the Fourth-Century Church, by Hilary of Poitiers
Good. I’ll check them out. I was completely oblivious to the importance of that time before signing on here. Thanks.
You’re welcome Dave. Two of the Ecclesiastical Histories are available online:
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Ecclesiastical History, by Theodoret
newadvent.org/fathers/2702.htm -
Ecclesiastical History, by Socrates Scholasticus
newadvent.org/fathers/2601.htm
Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History is also available online, but that book focuses on previous centuries.
I second Steve and Cindy’s words that I look forward to hearing about how Christians can chip away at modern slavery. Please share, Andrew!
I second Kate’s seconding
I found another book online for the 4th century history, Dave. It is two books in 1; Sozomen’s Ecclesiastical History and Philostorgius’ Ecclesiastical History:
Sozomen and Philostorgius give two very different accounts of the 4th century by two opposing historians - Sozomen is ‘T’ trinitarian - Philostorgius is ‘t’ trinitarian. It is so true that “History is written by the victors” (Winston Churchill).
Steve
Hi all, posted up a little account of Saint Nicholas of Myra today. Not to be a negative nancy, but I think it’s a tad disappointing that impoverished people, who may have had a friend and patron saint in ol’ Nick, have lost him to pretty excessive indulgences. Nevertheless, Saint Nicholas and Christmas is not without great import to our faith and life: God placed all of his hope in a terribly weak, dependent human baby, born in the very midst of great darkness — persecution, genocide, tyranny and poverty. And that has motivated otherwise small people like Saint Nicholas, as it should to us, to give greatly to those still amidst those very dark shadows. Godspeed to you all.
"]Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
For those who were interested, I’ve finished my short blog series (a week late 
) with some anti-slavery options for most Christians. There are many more options for professionals but the suggestions here are as general and accessible as possible.
Andrew
Wonderful, Andrew!
Thanks you so much! I missed your last post for some reason and that was excellent as well. I’ll be going back and checking out the links in your blog-post and try and download the app as well. Keep fighting the good fight!
Thanks again,
Steve
After doing a search, I came up with this group, based in California (USA). Anyone know anything about these people? notforsalecampaign.org/
Here’s another link: NightLight and a book I just got last night for my Kindle: notforsalecampaign.org/shop/not-for-sale-book/. I’m on page 48 of 254 and it’s . . . I don’t know what to say exactly . . . pretty earth shattering. The author states it’s his intent that it be a handbook for modern abolitionists. So far there haven’t been a lot of tips that I would personally be able to implement just now, but I’m only 17% in, and I’m glad I bought it regardless.