Temperance

I got a note from a friend about a church party that concerned him. It was advertised to the church and held at an elder's house. He was concerned because everyone was drinking alcohol but the pastor and my friend's family.

The question is -- is this OK? It would be a little strange to sponsor a churchwide kegger, for example. However, is it bad for church leadership to be seen drinking (albeit responsibly) in front of the flock?

My theory is that geography dictates this somewhat. This is obviously verboten here in the South or in Texas. Would anyone even care if it was in Seattle?

I don't have any easy answers about this, but it is something worthy of some consideration.