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PEWS are being ditched for pints as part of a Merthyr Tydfil chapel’s bid to bring in younger worshippers.

A men-only beer and Bible session is just one of the new initiatives at the soon-to-be refurbished Hope Chapel in the High Street, Pontmorlais, as new ministers Tony Graham and Gareth Lloyd try to break down the boundaries between Christians and the wider community.

“We’re putting sofas and bar stools in the basement to have a relaxing evening and learn what the Bible’s about,” said Mr Lloyd.

“Drinking isn’t a sin but people from other generations think of it as so because of alcohol abuse and the bad consequences that can come of it.

“Forty or 50 guys will be here, studying the Bible with a pint of beer in their hand.”

The chapel is undergoing a £200,000 refurbishment to bring the old building, which has been closed for the past two years, into the 21st century as the Sovereign Grace Church.

Refurbishment plans include ripping out the pews and replacing them with chairs, a move the men accept will anger some of the older congregation but one which they feel will help modernise the chapel and make it more suitable for wheelchair users.

“I was the pastor in Dowlais Baptist Church for five years,” said Mr Lloyd. “I was a young man but was so restricted and I couldn’t move the gospel on. People are worshipping in a bygone era.”

Feeling he could not express the gospel in an up-to-date manner, the 37-year-old moved to Christ Church in Newport, a sister branch to Hope, where he served for a year with Mr Graham.

The pair have been preaching in Merthyr for five years at Pen y Dre, and have now opened the doors to the town centre chapel.

Mr Graham, 44, is a former Catholic who feels he first heard the word of God not in Catholic services in Belfast, but when he visited a Pentecostal Church.

“I responded immediately,” said the trained lawyer.

“Then, about six years ago, I trained as a pastor.

“We’re trying to make church attractive to young folk, we’re very conscious most don’t want to go to church because it’s boring.”

With that in mind the organ at the back of the unused altar is gathering dust, swapped for an electronic keyboard, and services include 16-year-old drummers and a 24-year-old worship leader.

But there are signs that it is drawing people in – the 150-strong congregation on Sunday was made up predominantly of young men and women.

The first beer and Bible session takes place this Saturday from 7pm to 10.30pm.

For more information call 01685 370745 or visit www.sgcm.org