Church services held in nightclub

The Rev James Karran will lead the services at Clwb Ifor Bach

A Cardiff nightclub is the chosen venue for a church minister to address his congregation in an attempt to engage with young parishioners.

The Reverend James Karran, 26, from Cardiff's Ararat Baptist Church will hold "services" at Clwb Ifor Bach in the city centre.

And his flock will be able to buy alcohol at the bar and listen to live bands as part of the experience.

The 'Solace - church in a bar' nights will be held every Sunday from April.

According to the Ararat Baptist church website, the idea of the services, which is being run by the Baptist Union church branch Solace, is to "make church relevant and accessible to a 21st Century, post-Christendom society".

It says the service "mercilessly strips away everything from church that is mere tradition and endeavours to get back to the core of what church is really all about.

I'm 26 and a church minister and I can't help but notice that your average 20-something just doesn't connect with the church anymore. Rev James Karran

"Don't expect sermons, hymn singing, pews and pulpits here."

The services, held every Sunday, will include debates on subjects such as the relevance of the church to young people.

Mr Karran said: "We want to hear everyone's opinions, people's real and honest thoughts about the issues we tackle.

"I'm 26 and a church minister and I can't help but notice that your average 20-something just doesn't connect with the church anymore.

No prejudices

"I like going out to pubs and into town on nights out like most young people and I thought why can't we combine the both.

"Hopefully by holding these service, we will build up a church community of people who see this as their church and connect with it."

Dai Lloyd, entertainment manager at Clwb Ifor Bach, said: "One of our bar managers went to university with James and they got chatting about it.

"And as Clwb Ifor Bach has no prejudices and are open to a lot of things like poetry readings, dramas and gigs, the church is just another thing to come under that umbrella."