On a social level, the reality of Britain’s binge-drinking culture makes TfL particularly relevant and timely.
According to Alcohol Concern, 11-13-year-olds drank an average of 5.6 units of alcohol a week in 2001 – about equivalent to a bottle of wine. By 2006, however, the same age group was drinking on average 10.1 units of alcohol a week, almost double the 2001 rate.
It would be a mistake, however, to think that TfL is only about self-denial. “The ‘Life’ part of ‘Thirst for Life’ is quite important,” says George.
“If people just do it with the same heart as they would deny themselves chocolate for Lent then the whole point is lost. TfL is so much bigger than giving up simply for the sake of giving up. People are giving up something to benefit other people and to start conversations with others. It is also about giving up something to enjoy a healthier life and to take time out,” he explains.
“So, it is a positive thing. It is a lifestyle change. We are asking people, ‘Do you have to carry on doing stuff like this? Is there another way?’ We want to get people talking and thinking about alcohol like that.”
Historically, Christians have been divided over the issue of alcohol consumption. Whilst some feel it to be evil and sinful, others believe that it is acceptable in moderation. Thus, many Christians simply opt to remain stumm on the issue.
“We at Hope UK have looked at a model of choice,” says George. “There isn’t a commandment that says don’t drink but there is an awful lot of instruction about doing things to benefit other people and about keeping yourself fit and healthy for God’s service. And because drinking is related to so much harm these are both very biblically founded.
“There is a bigger need to get conversations about alcohol within the church because there is a history of avoiding talking about it. I managed in my own church to get people talking about alcohol in a way that they would never have talked about it.
“In today’s culture the imperative should be to think about other people and how grace can be applied in a national situation where alcohol is causing so many problems. That is a call for people to think about being alcohol free. Thirst for Life is part of a wakening up exercise in that sense.”
Should the congregation meet in the pub after service? Should the twenties group meet down the road in the pub? If I am in the pub, do I have to drink alcohol? Or could I drink alcohol-free drinks? These are positive things for Christians to think about, thinks George.
“I was having a conversation with Christians about this, they said we might have had a bottle of wine for special occasions like a birthday or Christmas now we have it with every meal because that’s how we’ve slipped into the culture and it’s happened without people thinking about it.
