TheState.com: Faith and Values

61 baptized by Jehovah's Witnesses

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:22 EDT

Sixty-one people were baptized Saturday at the district convention of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. More than 7,500 Jehovah’s Witnesses gathered in Columbia for the last of three conventions. Overall, about 25,000 met for Bible study and to spread the message of faith.

Members of the faith typically are only baptized at conventions. To be baptized, the members must participate in classes with a mentor and be able to answer 100 questions about their decision to join the faith.

Ancient tablet sparks Jesus debate

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:46 EDT

JERUSALEM — A 3-foot-tall tablet with 87 lines of Hebrew that scholars believe dates from the decades just before the birth of Jesus is causing a quiet stir in biblical and archaeological circles, especially because it may speak of a messiah who will rise from the dead after three days.

If such a messianic description really is there, it will contribute to a developing re-evaluation of both popular and scholarly views of Jesus, because it suggests that the story of his death and resurrection was not unique but part of a recognized Jewish tradition at the time.

The tablet, probably found near the Dead Sea in Jordan, is a rare example of a stone with ink writings from that era — in essence, a Dead Sea Scroll on stone. It is broken, and some text is faded, though its authenticity has not been challenged.

Daniel Boyarin, a professor of Talmudic culture at the University of California at Berkeley, said that the stone was part of a growing body of evidence suggesting that Jesus could be best understood through a close reading of the Jewish history of his day.

“Some Christians will find it shocking — a challenge to the uniqueness of their theology — while others will be comforted by the idea of it being a traditional part of Judaism,” Boyarin said.

Pastor’s book teaches as it turns heads‘

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:39 EDT

The Rev. Frank Honeycutt once invited 15 of his agnostic and atheist acquaintances to come to church and listen to a series of his sermons, not with an eye toward conversion, but to simply help him understand the mind of the skeptic and the failings of traditional church language.

In his latest book, “Marry a Pregnant Virgin: Unusual Bible Stories for New and Curious Christians” (Augsburg Press, 2008), he returns to that theme of unlocking the mysteries of Scripture for a culture that is increasingly biblically illiterate. If readers do a theological double take, all the better.

“Jesus tells these masterful stories and they kind of detonate in our minds years down the road,” said Honeycutt, pastor of Ebenezer Lutheran Church in downtown Columbia.

Honeycutt isn’t above employing the occasional elliptical run around a treasured Bible story, requiring parishioners and readers of his books to follow their own circuitous “to be continued” path to theological awakening.

It used to unnerve him when he delivered a sermon and parishioners exiting the church at the conclusion of the service would focus on a totally unexpected theme of the Scripture he employed. But not anymore.

Matters of faith

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:43 EDT

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH: “Power Lab,” 9 a.m.-noon July 14-18, 605 Polo Road. Age 3 through fifth grade. (803) 736-0866; www.stdavidscolumbia.org

ST. STEPHEN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH: “Beach Party, Surfin’ through the Scriptures,” 6-8 p.m. July 20-24, 119 N. Church St., Lexington. Dinner at 5:15 p.m. (803) 359-6562

ST. TIMOTHY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH: “Rainforest Adventure,” 6-8:30 p.m. July 20-24, 900 Calhoun St. All ages through sixth grade. (803) 765-1519

INTERNATIONAL PRAISE CHURCH OF GOD: “Gilligan’s Island,” 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5071 Percival Road, Elgin. (803) 788-1942

Jehovah’s Witnesses gather for weekend

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:41 EDT

As many vacationers head out for the July Fourth holiday, about 8,500 Jehovah’s Witnesses will gather in Columbia today for the last of three district conventions.

The convention, which centers on the theme of “Guided by God’s Spirit,” opens at 1:50 p.m. today and includes Bible study, Christian baptism and ordination of new members, and a full-costume Bible drama.

On Saturday, about 50 to 70 congregants will be baptized, said Patrick J. McIntyre, a spokesman for the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Believers participate in the ceremony only after understanding the Bible and answering a series of 100 questions that help them grow in their faith, he said.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are distinctive for their house-to-house visits, where they first introduce people to the faith founded by Charles Taze Russell in the 1870s.

Pastor isn’t home from Russia yet

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:02 EDT

MYRTLE BEACH

A South Carolina pastor freed last week from a Russian prison is still waiting to come home.

The Rev. Phillip Miles spent nearly five months in jail on smuggling charges before being freed on appeal by a Moscow City Court. His travel visa expired while he was locked up.

The pastor of Christ Community Church in Conway had planned to spend just eight days in Russia to minister in Siberia.

Miles’ attorney thought the pastor would be coming home by Monday evening. Dominic Starr said plans hit a snag because of the visa problem. The Russian government had not yet issued a new visa allowing him to leave.

SC pastor freed from Russian jail needs new visa

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:42 EDT

A South Carolina pastor freed last week from a Russian prison is still waiting to come home.

The Rev. Phillip Miles spent nearly five months in jail on smuggling charges before being freed on appeal by a Moscow City Court. His travel visa expired while he was locked up. The pastor of Christ Community Church in Conway had planned to spend just eight days in Russia to minister in Siberia.

Miles' attorney thought the pastor would be coming home by Monday evening. Dominic Starr told The Sun News of Myrtle Beach plans hit a snag because of the visa problem. The Russian government had not yet issued a new visa allowing him to leave.

Miles was arrested after officers at a Moscow airport found a box of bullets in his luggage he had bought for a Russian pastor who had recently bought a hunting rifle.

McCain meets with evangelist, son

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:57 EDT

MONTREAT, N.C. — John McCain met Sunday with evangelist Billy Graham and his son, Franklin, at the family's mountaintop retreat.

The Republican presidential candidate, who is actively courting religious voters and trying to reassure skeptical conservatives, visited privately with the Grahams on the grounds of Little Piney Cove in the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina.

"We had a very excellent conversation. I appreciated the opportunity to visit with them," McCain said after the 45-minute meeting.

McCain's visit to North Carolina was his first sit-down with Billy Graham, 89, and with Franklin Graham, although McCain and the elder Graham are acquainted. McCain's father and Billy Graham also knew each other.

The world-renowned evangelist is in poor health but apparently felt well enough to visit with McCain, who flew to North Carolina with the expectation of meeting only with Franklin Graham, who is president and chief executive of the evangelistic association his father founded in 1950.

Forest Church reaches for the star

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:33 EDT

Forest Church, the multi-racial Baptist congregation on Forest Drive, is pointing its star toward Northeast Columbia.

The 600-member church has a contract on 41 acres on Longtown Road, where the congregation hopes to expand its facilities to include a larger sanctuary, a fitness center, day care and sports fields, said the Rev. Brian Thomas, the church’s senior pastor.

“We own just under seven acres (on Forest Drive) and we know that we can’t do everything that God wants us to do on seven acres,” Thomas said.

The congregation will change its name to NorthStar Christian Center, taking its cue from Philippians 2:15: “God’s children without any faults among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.”

Although it remains an independent Baptist congregation, Forest Church is distinctive for drawing from many ethnic groups. Thomas said about 15 different cultures are represented in the church.

Church to fugitives: Surrender in safety

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:15 EDT

Thousands of people on the run from the law soon will get a chance to turn themselves in peacefully at a Richland County church.

Bible Way Church of Atlas Road will transform into a satellite courthouse in a couple of weeks — becoming the 10th site of the federally-funded Fugitive Safe Surrender program in the nation, said Tim Stec, a deputy U.S. marshal based in Columbia.

More than 100,000 people with outstanding warrants in Richland and Lexington counties can surrender between July 9 and 12, start resolving their cases and move on with their lives.

“The goal is to get warrants cleared up so people can be reintegrated into the community,” Stec said. “In some cases, the whole case can be adjudicated that day. We’re gonna get people through as quickly as we can.”

The program targets non-violent fugitives in the two counties, Stec said, but anyone — including murder suspects — can surrender.

It's magic, it'll bug you

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:34 EDT

HILTON HEAD ISLAND — As a theologian and retired minister, Fred Reisz believes in things unseen.

And as a magician and ringmaster of “Fred the Fantastique’s Fabulous and Fun Flea Circus,” Reisz is hoping to help audiences do the same.

On Wednesday, the Sun City Hilton Head resident started his flea-circus tour of libraries in Hardeeville, Ridgeland, Hampton, Allendale and Estill.

The squeamish can rest easy; the fleas aren’t real.

But that doesn’t mean that Reisz — a former campus minister at Penn State and Harvard universities and past president of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia — doesn’t want to spark your imagination as he “shows” you the invisible trapeze leaps of famed circus flea Flying Freda.

Making a holy mess

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:22 EDT

Today will be the last chance for hundreds of Carolina Forest children to cut loose in the name of the Father, the Son and family fun when the “Nick at Night” program wraps up another summer season.

Carolina Forest Community Church has spent six years perfecting its own not-so-secret recipe for vacation Bible school:

• Assemble 500 or more children and their camera-wielding parents on a recreation field.

• Sprinkle liberally with tar — actually, pancake syrup — and feathers.

• Garnish with whipped cream and squashed watermelons.

'Hallelujah!' Conway pastor heading home

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:34 EDT

Updated 1:30 p.m.

"Please don't destroy my life over one box of hunting bullets" - Pastor Phillip Miles

Family and friends of a Conway pastor were breathing sighs of relief Monday after a Russian court ordered that he be released from a Moscow jail.

After more than four months, the Rev. Phillip Miles was released today and returned to the care of American officials, church officials said.

He left the Russian prison earlier today, but his exit visa and other paperwork is still being processed by Russian officials, said Dominic Starr, a Myrtle Beach lawyer who has been speaking on behalf of Christ Community Church. None of Miles' South Carolina supporters were in the Russia this week, so Miles is in the care of the U.S. Embassy, Starr said.

Matters of Faith

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:26 EDT

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

OAK GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH: Vacation Bible School, 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1063 Old Two Notch Road, Elgin. (803) 788-2599; www.oakgrovebaptistchurchsc.org

ROSEWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH: “Outrigger Island,” 6-8:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, 2901 Rosewood Drive. Pre-K through fifth and sixth grades. (803) 799-0514

SALUDA RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH: “Power Lab,” 6:30-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3459 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia. Age 3 through rising sixth-graders. (803) 796-5583

LEXINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH: “Outrigger Island,” Monday through Friday, 308 E. Main St., Lexington. Kindergarten through rising sixth-graders. (803) 359-4146; www.lexingtonbaptist.org

Gantt hails church project

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:39 EDT

Civil rights icon supports effort to save Bethel Church building

Former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt on Thursday hailed the historic Bethel Church cultural arts center project as a way to strengthen Columbia’s vitality, both as a place to live and a destination for tourists.

“Cities can’t be great by tearing down old buildings,” he said. “The great cities of the world reflect the people who inhabit those places.”

Gantt spoke to several hundred civic leaders at a unity breakfast sponsored by the Renaissance Foundation, the not-for-profit organization that is trying to raise $5.7 million to restore the Romanesque structure at Sumter and Taylor streets.

The 1921 church, built by one of America’s first black architects, John Anderson Lankford, was home to Bethel AME Church until the mid-1990s, when the congregation moved to a larger property in Old Shandon.

Lawsuit challenges state's 'I believe' tags

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:27 EDT

Four S.C. clergy members and a Hindu organization went to court Thursday, challenging the constitutionality of the state’s new “I Believe” license plate.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of the clergy members and Hindus by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, contends the Legislature’s creation of the tags “improperly advances and endorses religion” while also discriminating against citizens of other faiths.

The specialty plate features the words “I Believe” and a cross, a symbol of Christianity, on a background of a stained-glass window.

“The South Carolina Legislature’s decision to align itself with a single religion — Christianity — runs afoul of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the lawsuit states, and also violates the right of free speech.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who drafted the license plate legislation, defended the license plates.

Vacation Bible School: Faith, family, fun — for free

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:36 EDT

Summer officially arrives Saturday.

And with that, the Vacation Bible School season will be kicking into high gear.

From megachurches in the city to the tiniest congregations in rural communities, staffers are gearing up for sessions with engaging themes and services, reliable Christian curricula — and fun.

And, in this time of tight family budgets because of rising costs for just about everything, church officials say offering the free events is a Christian duty.

“Everything there’s a cost to — I know, I have three grandchildren,” said Rose Hollister, who leads Vacation Bible School at Park Street Baptist in Columbia.

Bauer may boost ‘I believe’ plates

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:21 EDT

South Carolina’s lieutenant governor says he is willing to put up $4,000 of his own money so his state can become the first in the nation to issue “I Believe” license plates with the image of a cross and a stained-glass window.

The legislation allowing the plates was one of several religious-themed bills to became law in the closing days of the state’s legislative session.

The bills mean South Carolinians attending local government meetings could soon see the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer posted on walls, pray without fear of being sued and drive home in cars with the “I Believe” plates.

Civil-rights groups are considering lawsuits. An attorney for the New York-based American Jewish Congress, Mark Stern, said the bills are an obvious endorsement of religion by legislators in an election year. His group is looking to sue over the plates.

Gov. Mark Sanford allowed the license-plate bill to become law without his signature, noting the state already has a process to allow special plates for any cause as long as enough people come together and put up the money needed to buy them.

S.C. acts to limit investment in Sudan

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:53 EDT

The Darfur Action Group of South Carolina chalked up a legislative victory this week in its effort to apply pressure to relieve the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

South Carolina joined 24 other states in passing legislation that would prohibit investment in countries that do business with Sudan.

The law, sponsored by Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, and other lawmakers, prevents investment of public retirement funds in such companies.

They hope it will send a message to the Sudanese government, which continues to carry out genocide on its citizens in the western region of Darfur.

The bill says that investing public funds in Sudan is “inconsistent with the moral and political values of the people of South Carolina.” While divestment is a last resort, “the genocide occurring in the Sudan is reprehensible and abhorrent and requires special circumstance.”

Matters of Faith

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:58 EDT

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

RIVERLAND HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH: “Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth,” 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday, 201 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo. Ages 4 to fifth grade. Free. (803) 772-3227; www.riverlandhills.org

SHERWOOD FOREST ARP CHURCH: “God’s Big Backyard,” 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday, 4325 Wilmot Ave. Ages 2-13. (803) 518-3942

ST. MATTHEWS BAPTIST CHURCH: “Putting God’s Word Into Action,” 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 752 Old Congaree Run, Eastover. (803) 783-6838

NORTH POINT COMMUNITY CHURCH: Nick@Night Power Lab, 6-8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 532 N. Brickyard Road. Ages 5K-fifth grade. (803) 699-1008; www.northpointonline.org

Teens use summer to help others

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:37 EDT

Jennifer Dean’s summer itinerary reads like that of a typical teenager.

She will work at a summer job, hang out with friends and plan for her senior year at Richland Northeast High School.

But for about a week in July, Dean will set up bunk in a Philadelphia high school, working by day to repair area homes and enjoying fellowship by night with peers from about 90 other churches nationwide.

Summer youth mission trips have always attracted a strong showing among Midlands teens, particularly trips organized through churches.

These days, many of those service projects are closer to home for a number of reasons, from the struggling economy to a growing awareness of the needs in our own backyards.

Student multiplies his giftHigh-schooler sells shrimp to raise money for Mexican churches

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:49 EDT

Take an ancient biblical story, add an enterprising, faithful high school student and leaven the mixture with some fresh Beaufort shrimp.

The result: A modern-day parable of faith in action.

Ray Nix, a newly minted Spring Valley High School graduate, is at the center of this story, which begins with a $250 gift and ends this month with a trip to Mexico to bless $900 worth of Spanish-language Bibles.

“A good way to give back” is how the lanky 18-year-old explains this roundabout faith journey.

That journey began in fall 2006 when Nix was given $250 by the stewardship committee of his congregation, Forest Lake Presbyterian Church.

Boot exhibition shows cost of war

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:44 EDT

Forty-nine pairs of military boots were on display this week at the annual conference of South Carolina Methodists — each pair representing a South Carolinian killed in the Iraq war.

The Rev. John Culp, pastor of Columbia’s Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, brought the exhibition to the grounds outside the Florence Civic Center as a memorial to the soldiers’ sacrifice.

“It was very meaningful,” said Culp, who had seen the exhibit “Eyes Wide Open: An Exhibition on the Human Cost of the Iraq War,” when he attended the General Conference of the UMC in Fort Worth.

The exhibition is a project of the American Friends Service Committee, or Quakers. The national exhibition, which began in 2004 with 504 pairs of boots, has made stops in cities around the country. It now has been divided into state-by-state exhibitions.

Monday night’s outdoor memorial service opened with a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.”

Matters of Faith

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:19 EDT

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

RIVERLAND HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH: “Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth,” 9 a.m.-noon, June 16-20, 201 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo. Ages 4 to fifth grade. Free. (803) 772-3227; www.riverlandhills.org

GREENLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH: Outrigger Island, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Thursday, 6612 Garners Ferry Road. All children through sixth grade may participate. (803) 776-4074

SHERWOOD FOREST ARP CHURCH: “God’s Big Backyard,” 9 a.m.-noon, June 16-20, 4325 Wilmot Ave. Ages 2-13. (803) 518-3942

STATE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH: Outrigger Island, 6-8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 1420 State St., Cayce. Ages 3 through youth. (803) 796-6123

‘Multicultural seminary’ is new leader’s goal

Fri, 23 May 2008 22:29 EDT

RICHMOND, Va. — For the first time in its 196-year history, one of the nation’s oldest Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminaries will be led by a black pastor, a triumph for African-Americans who hope he’ll use his position to nurture the next generation of minority pastors.

Brian Blount, head of Richmond’s Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, is positioned to shape everything from recruitment to curriculum for the institution.

Supporters hope Blount’s high-profile position will inspire black students to attend the school; later, as pastors, those students could draw a more diverse group of parishioners desired by this shrinking 2.3-million-member denomination, which is 92 percent white.

Blount, 51, embraced the challenge at a May 7 inauguration ceremony.

“Are we ready to be more diverse?” Blount asked, to applause. “If we’re going to transform a multicultural world, we must be a multicultural seminary.”

Churches offer kids summer fun

Fri, 23 May 2008 22:29 EDT

As the school year nears an end, congregations are gearing up for that perennial summertime activity, Vacation Bible School.

For many youngsters, the mornings or evenings spent in themed programs are a highlight of hot summer days. Here’s a sampling from congregations around the Midlands:

• St. John Neumann Catholic Church: “Rainforest Adventure VBS!,” June 10-16, 9 a.m.-noon. For more information, (803) 788-3252, ext. 21.

• Shandon United Methodist Church: “Beach Party: Surfing through the Scriptures,” June 9-13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, (803) 256-8383, ext. 105.

• Shandon Baptist Church: “Cactus Canyon,” June 23-27, 9 a.m.-noon. For more information, (803) 782-1300.

Matters Of Faith

Fri, 23 May 2008 22:29 EDT

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

GREENLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH: Outrigger Island, 2-5 p.m. June 8, 9 a.m.-noon, June 9-12, 6612 Garners Ferry Road. All children through sixth grade may participate. (803) 776-4074

SHERWOOD FOREST ARP CHURCH: “God’s Big Backyard,” 9 a.m.-noon, June 16-20, 4325 Wilmot Ave. Ages 2-13. (803) 518-3942

STATE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH: Outrigger Island, 6-8:30 p.m. June 8-12, 1420 State St., Cayce. Ages 3 through youth. (803) 796-6123

Group to fight 1 faith on tags

Thu, 22 May 2008 08:24 EDT

A national Jewish association is opposing a new Christian license plate that could soon be available to S.C. motorists.

Wednesday, the House unanimously passed a bill that allows drivers to buy a license tag with the words “I Believe.” The tag includes a cross on a stained-glass window.

After one more routine vote by House lawmakers, the bill heads back to the Senate.

The American Jewish Congress, a membership association of Jewish Americans, is urging Gov. Mark Sanford to veto the bill.

“It’s singling out one faith for special treatment that other faiths are unlikely to receive,” said Marc D. Stern, attorney for the organization. “I suspect the Legislature would not create an atheist plate. I don’t think an ‘I don’t believe’ plate would stand much of a chance.”

Graham’s N.C. center celebrates anniversary

Mon, 19 May 2008 06:32 EDT

SWANNANOA, N.C. — When evangelist Billy Graham held his first training seminars at the secluded spot in the western North Carolina mountains now known as The Cove, the accommodations were Spartan at best.

“At first, we had no food service, no lodging, no transportation,” executive director Scott Holmquist said. “We would cater food from Three Little Pigs (barbecue restaurant). It was a wonderful, humble beginning.”

Twenty years later, the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove has become a major operation and part of the world-renowned pastor’s ministry. There are dozens of employees and volunteers, a chapel and visitors center, the training center, an administration building, two inns and a lodge.

About 10,000 people visit each year for Cove-sponsored training and events, while another 10,000 come from churches that rent space. The site — which celebrated its 20th anniversary with an open house on Saturday — is also visited by about 26,000 tourists annually.

New bishop to be called

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:27 EDT

For only the fifth time in 65 years, South Carolina Lutherans this weekend will elect a bishop, winnowing a field of nominees to one for the highest position in the S.C. Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The election is a historic one because the field is wide open. Bishop David A. Donges, who has served two six-year terms as bishop and eight years previously as an assistant bishop, is retiring July 31.

More than 700 voting members began assembly Friday at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center as they prepared for the first ballot of what may be a three-day, five-ballot process.

Any ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is eligible for nomination, so the first ballot is an opportunity to promote both the known and unknown among the faithful, said Mel Amundson, an assistant bishop for congregational life.

“There could be 100 people,” he said.