Imagine strolling into a bustling New York City bar—music pumping, people laughing—and right there in the middle of it all, a group of Christians decides to open in prayer. Sounds unusual, right? Yet, that’s exactly what we did at our recent Christmas gathering.

I’ll be honest: opening in prayer at a bar can feel a bit awkward. I mean, you’re in line to order wings and a soda (or maybe something a little stronger), and suddenly someone asks, “Can we pray first?” But awkward or not, we do it every time as a way to keep Jesus at the center of it all. It’s less about “making a statement” and more about living our faith in every corner of life.

Why Do We Show Up, Even at a Bar?

If there’s anything I’ve learned since moving to NY, it’s that we humans crave authentic community. Sure, we attend Sunday services, but sometimes that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond the sermons and worship music, we long for deeper relationships, real talk, and genuine belonging. At my last church (s/o Embrace Church in Cali), we called Sunday service the “big event” but not the “main event.” That’s why we gather outside of church walls—to connect with other believers in spaces that reflect where we actually spend our week—work, bars, cafés, the gym, etc.

And let’s be honest: New York can be hectic. We spend our weekdays juggling work deadlines, elbowing through crowded subways, and chasing that elusive work-life balance. Finding fellow Christians who “get” what we’re dealing with feels like stumbling upon an oasis. It’s the chance to be real about our faith without having to compartmentalize. It’s also how we remind each other that God is with us in every moment, not just the polished Sunday ones.

Awkward Encounters and Embracing It

I’ve caught a bit of flak for serving alcohol at our past summer networking mixer. Someone emailed me, genuinely confused: “Why are you serving beer and wine if you’re believers?” They ultimately decided not to come, which made me sad but also reminded me that everyone has their own convictions. It also gave me a perspective on how our unconventional faith gatherings can challenge the usual “churchy” norms.

Some folks are comfortable with a glass of wine; others aren’t. We respect that. When people raise concerns, it’s a chance to have real conversations about how faith fits into daily life, rather than slapping on a one-size-fits-all rule. No shame or judgment here—just honest talk about how we each walk out our beliefs.

On the flip side, one of my favorite CIT moments happened recently at the Christmas mixer. As people filtered in, my fellow volunteers and I did our usual “Welcome to Christians in Tech, are you…” when I spotted someone new making their way into the bar. She was scanning the room with a curious expression, so I called out, “Hey, are you here for the Christian event?” She paused, raised an eyebrow, and boldly said, “Yes, I am a child of God and a believer in Christ.”

I loved how instantly she proclaimed her faith, but it turns out she was actually there for the live jazz. We all had a good laugh, said “God bless” to each other, and went about our night. I’m not saying that was a divine moment, but it was definitely a God moment at a random bar in NY.

It’s Not About the Bar; It’s About Authenticity

I was recently talking with my pastor friend (s/o P. Sam), who’s been in ministry for over 25 years, about how praying at a bar might seem out of place. He told me something that stuck: “The church was always meant to be a place for the broken, for those who recognize their need for Jesus. Somewhere along the line, we started showing up to church in our ‘Sunday best’—not just in clothes, but in attitude—acting like we’ve got it all figured out.”

Here’s the problem: if we only act Christian for a couple of hours on Sunday, what happens the rest of the week? We’re allowed to be ourselves—all of ourselves—every day. That’s our mission as Christians: to show up as real people who love Jesus in all spaces—whether that’s a coworker’s farewell party at a bar or a volunteer event at a local shelter.

Holiday Blues & Spiritual Funk

Despite the spirit of Christmas and these mountaintop moments, the holiday season hit me like a freight train. I was coming off a spiritual high from a recent church retreat (s/o Hope Church)—feeling so close to God I could practically high-five an angel.

Then December rolled in, and suddenly I was swamped by a hazy funk I couldn’t shake—too many obligations, too much on my mind, and not nearly enough quiet moments to recharge. The result? I started questioning my own consistency. How can I be all about loving Jesus one minute and then get lost in stress the next? Let’s just say the “holiday blues” are real, and if you’re feeling them too, you’re not alone.

The Call-Out (a.k.a. Authenticity in Action)

In the midst of this funk, a couple of close friends, whom I care for deeply, reached out to me about a work decision I made that they believed was wrong. Let’s just say I didn’t handle it like a saint at first. I was defensive—how could they think I’d do something wrong? But here’s the truth: even as someone building a business to “do good,” I can be blinded by my own logic and circumstances. I can justify decisions because they make sense for me in the moment, rather than asking, “Am I pursuing my own will or the will of God?”

We all need accountability. We need loved ones who aren’t afraid to call us out and remind us of the bigger picture. If Jesus is truly front and center in my life, then my decisions, my ethics, my empathy, and even my sense of humor should reflect that. It doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being humble and willing to face my blind spots and let God (often through others) shape me into someone more aligned with His heart.

Victims of Circumstance—or Followers of Christ?

Many of us, if we’re honest, compartmentalize our faith when it’s convenient. We can blame our work environment, finances, or social circles for why we’re not “fully Christian” in certain settings. The danger here is letting our circumstances dictate our identity.

But the challenge is to bring the same Jesus-loving consistency into our boardrooms, our group chats, our business decisions, and, yes, even our bar mixers. If God is present everywhere, then faith is never on pause, even in the awkward or unexpected settings.

Taking Faith Everywhere

So, here’s what I’m trying to do—and maybe it’ll encourage you, too:

1. Stay Open to Accountability: Let people you trust speak into your life, even if it stings. Their perspective might save you from going off the rails.

2. Seek Genuine Community: Don’t limit your connections with fellow believers to once a week. Find spaces—like that bar meet-up or a cozy coffee shop—and allow faith conversations to happen naturally.

3. Embrace Consistency: If Jesus is our anchor, then let’s anchor every decision, big or small, in Him. We won’t always get it right, but the striving matters.

A Parting Challenge

Are we victims of our circumstances or our surroundings, or are we living out the identity we proclaim? If we say Jesus is everything, then let’s invite Him into everything: the celebrations, the conflicts, and the moments where we feel overwhelmed.

As this new season unfolds, let’s remember: we’re more than Sunday Christians. We’re everyday, all-the-time Christians, ready to show up with hope, empathy, and a willingness to lean on each other.

Keep showing up. Keep questioning. Keep growing. And if you ever find yourself in a spiritual funk, know you’re not alone. Sometimes, God uses a friend’s loving correction—or a random jazz lover at a bar—to remind us that He sees us, loves us, and calls us to be faithful in every corner of our messy, wonderful lives.

Grace and peace,

Andy C.

@man_meets_world

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Hey everyone,

We’re working on something special—a directory of NYC churches, ministry programs, faith-based nonprofits, and everything in between! 🎉

As we’ve been meeting incredible people and hearing about the amazing work happening across the city—whether it’s VCs and tech founders in faith-based groups, organizations like Goldenwood with their Work and Faith ministry programs, or unique dating programs at local churches—we realized there’s a need to bring all these resources together in one place.

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Christians in Tech is about creating a space where you can connect with faith-based organizations, churches, nonprofits, and other cool folks around NYC. This isn’t a replacement for your church or ministry—it’s a way to add to it, help others get connected, and make sure your Sunday isn’t the only holy time in your week.