August 23, 2011
A story at PNJ.com showed congregants donning shorts and sandals to attend church at Flounder’s Chowder House on Pensacola Beach in Florida. Pastored by Jack Kale, the church began as a seasonal outreach 10 years ago of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. Now open year-round, the church attracts about 350 each Sunday on the sunny sands of Florida with its upbeat music and informal setting.
Another local church in Perdido Bay took notice, and in July opened their own beach outreach service at the infamous Flora-Bama Lounge & Package. More than 200 people attended the opening service, and Rev. Jeremy Mount, who leads the services, says he doesn’t see a conflict with church in a notorious bar. “We need to be where the people are, bottom line. Our calling is to serve everyone, including the least, the lost and the broken. There’s already that sense of non-judgmental community at a bar.” Attendee LeeAnn Vaughn, 53, called the worship her “perfect church” and said “I think more people would go to church if it was always like this.”
