We don’t need alcohol

Nov 18, I, along with other pastors, laymen and concerned citizens attended an Eden City Council meeting in reference to beer being sold on city property during festivals. The commissioners voted 5 to 2 in favor of the proposal.
As I was leaving, a newspaper reporter asked me if I was disappointed? I said, “Yes, let me explain. At the beginning of the meeting, our mayor asked those in the audience who were against the proposal to stand. The vast majority stood. Many of those standing were pastors and Christian laymen. Doubtless, each of those would like to tell why they were against the proposal. This was impossible. However, their very presence spoke volumes.
We were given 10 minutes to express our concerns, and those minutes were taken by two pastors and two laymen. Was I disappointed with the outcome of the vote? Yes. I cannot believe the city board, in the face of this overwhelming number of pastors and other concerned citizens, would vote for the proposal. We were saying, in unison, “Please don’t vote for this.” But do pastors know anything about city improvement? I dare say that every pastor present could tell of the many times they have counseled person after person and family after family whose lives have been wrecked by alcohol. Our police can tell you, as well as EMS personnel. Disappointed? Yes. But not defeated. We won that night.
No one is ever a loser who stands for what is good and right. We don’t need more alcohol, but less. As a matter of fact, we don’t need any to know how to socialize and enjoy life. Jesus Christ is who we need. Still praying daily for those in authority in our city who “we voted in to represent us.”
Pastor Johnny Dyer
Eden