More than Trivia in the Pub
Series: Stories
Categories: Stories
A team of us live on a housing estate called 'the Manor'. We're always looking for ways to meet other residents and to share our lives.
One thing that's helped us to do that is a quiz held at a local pub. A few members of the church write and host the quiz, while the rest come to take part in teams and build relationships with those in the pub.
We started the pub quiz in the Summer of 2007, during a week of intensive mission and localised activities (Summer in the City). We had the eager support of the pub manager but decided to review it after eight weeks. It soon levelled out to three teams a week, sometimes four and the majority of those coming were there every week, so we carried on. A lot of those attending were regulars in the pub.
We've needed to adapt to accommodate those coming. Many people tended to arrive after 9pm, so we've been starting the quiz at about 9.30, later than originally planned. Another ongoing challenge is to be culturally relevant and sensitive with the kind of questions: so-called 'general knowledge' about abstract things isn't always seen as important on the Manor. On the other hand, the locals seem to love television and some have a real reverence for history. So for instance, we wouldn't do a round on Victorian literature, but we might do a round on major historical events, or a round on soap operas.
A great aspect of the quiz early on was that a couple of people (not from the church) used to make food for everyone every week — curries, chillis, pies, and so on. It really felt like it was something we were doing together as a community, as a single group — as opposed to just the 'student' types putting on an event. That was a real encouragement.
For a number of reasons the food isn't made any more and the numbers doing the quiz have dwindled. We have reconsidered whether it is worth carrying on a couple of times. However, some friendships with the locals who still do the quiz, along with their friends, have really grown and there have been many opportunities to speak of Jesus and model grace.
It has been a terrific blessing to be able to do the quiz and to see God at work through it. Furthermore, I think we are now seen as part of the Manor community by many, and I think that's quite important. To be accepted into the community but have opportunities to be distinctive and proclaim the gospel is a real privilege. It has taken patience and at times has not been easy, but God has been faithful in granting strength, patience and wisdom and it has been very clear that he is going before us, doing his work.