‘Company and friendship can’t be found in a deal at the offie’: Support your local pub, calls DUP MP, before it’s last orders for good
While I was reading my Bible this morning, an email arrived with a link to the above headline in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’.

When I investigated the link I was vexed to discover that it brought me to the headline of a report of the words of DUP MP, Jim Shannon. Mr Shannon is a professing Christian of whom it is commonly reported that he is a member of the Newtownards Baptist assembly.
In 2022 it was reported that he had declared: “I trust that Christ’s finished work at the cross means that, as I have believed and accepted Him as Lord and Saviour, my future is in His hands”
I have no doubt that the statement by Mr Shannon is his response to the lobbying by pub owners and their clientele.
It appears that an MP, even one who professes faith in Christ, must put first the need to maintain the support of voters, even at the expense of the honour and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!
The ‘Belfast Newsletter’ article contains the statement:—
‘MP Jim Shannon was moved to hail the virtues of the noble boozer after seeing a number of places to go to the wall in recent years, with his Strangford constituency losing around a quarter of its bars over a 10-year period. Hymning the benefits of calling in for a pint instead of cracking open a bottle at home, he also called on the government to help the hospitality industry before it hits last orders for good.’
Does Mr Shannon find his ‘company and friendship’ in the pub? These words speak little of the value of the fellowship amongst the Christians in his Baptist church! (more…)

