Lighting up the big screen
Visualize how quickly fire spreads and one might be able to capture the essence of the firestorm that is “Fireproof.”
With a savvy grassroots marketing strategy, the movie earned the No. 4 spot at the box office during its premiere weekend, Sept. 26-28.
The film is about a firefighter (actor Kirk Cameron, pictured at left with actress Erin Bethea) facing challenges in his marriage. He has to find a way to rescue his marriage which is spiralling downward toward divorce. The Lord becomes his rescuer, helping to place the first responder and his wife on the safe path of faith.
The folks behind the film have much to say about the movie’s success.
“Opening weekend turnout is a testament to grassroots marketing,” Ben Howard, Provident executive vice president, said in Christian NewsWire release. “We spent nine months getting this movie and its message to the right people … now it’s charging away on its own momentum.”
Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Ga., and the film’s executive producer, said “We believe good stories can have a good effect. This film was made by a small army of people who poured into something bigger than themselves — into not just a movie, but a movement to restore and uplift marriages across the country.”
“Fireproof featured an all-volunteer, 1,200-person cast and crew and opened on 839 screens, grossing $6,804,764 with a per-screen average of $8,111.
Numerous church leaders across the country, including many in Oklahoma are using the movie as an outreach tool to minister to couples in their congregations and communities.
Provident Films, and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Affirm Films unit united to devise and execute a marketing strategy blending traditional theatrical marketing and an aggressive grassroots and faith-based outreach. Provident held screenings across the country, providing resources and materials for pastors and churches to spread the word about the film.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Jewish soldiers get Hebrew Bibles
Chaplains on overseas and domestic bases are distributing a free copy of the Jewish Publication Society’s military edition of the Tanakh, a widely read English translation of the Hebrew Bible.
The distribution comes just in time for the Jewish High Holy Days, which begin with Rosh Hashana at sunset tonight.
The society, in partnership with the Jewish Welfare Board Chaplains Council, produced 10,000 copies of the Bible.
The society said the new military Tanakh, funded by the Everett Foundation, the society and individual donors, contains prayers and blessings, including prayers recited in a time of danger, during illness and for a safe journey on the road, and the traditional blessing over meals.
Unlike the one shown at left, the military edition features a cover with the official camouflage patterns from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The society’s news release said the Bibles are compact enough to fit into a military uniform pocket.
“JPS has a long tradition of making the Hebrew Bible accessible to all,” Carol Hupping, the society’s chief operating officer and publishing director.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Rabbi blows shofar
Barry Cohen, rabbi of
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown.
It heralds the Jewish High Holy Days, 10 days of reflecting on the themes of repentance, forgiveness and hope, ending with Yom Kippur.
Cohen (pictured at right) said the person who typically blows the shofar, a ram’s horn, during the temple’s holiday services is ill. So this year, the task has fallen to the rabbi to perform.
“I’ve been practicing,” Cohen said.
“When you have to do something, it’s amazing how quickly we can learn something.”
The shofar is traditionally blown to proclaim the beginning of Rosh Hashana.
Other traditions include eating apples and honey to symbolize the wish for a sweet new year.
Special services held during the High Holy Days include the Yizkor service, which is the custom of remembering the souls of the deceased and generally includes contributing to charity in their memory.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Fireproof” goes beyond big screen
Sherwood Pictures, the creators of the new movie “Fireproof,” certainly wanted the film to impact couples’ lives long after they left the theaters.
If you saw the film on Friday, the day it premiered, perhaps you want to learn more about the movie’s faith-themed premise.
Go to www.fireproofthemovie.com to find out more about “The Love Dare,” the book that is central to the movie. It is available at many Christian bookstores or online.
Also on the site, you can purchase songs from the movie from such contemporary Christian recording artists as Third Day (They’re coming to Oklahoma on Oct. 5 by the way), Casting Crowns, Greg Holiday and John Waller.
Read about the distinct differences between men and women by visiting the site’s “His and Hers” link.
Theatergoers were introduced to the Web site www.fireproofmymarriage.com at the end of ”Fireproof.”
There are a host of resources for churches and couples available on that site.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Faithful Five: Weekend Events
Here’s my “faithful five” — five events going on in the faith community this weekend, Sept. 26-28. If what you read below intrigues you, go check it out for yourself: 1. Through the fire. Catch a showing of the feature film “Fireproof” premiering todayat your local theater. Actor Kirk Cameron, best known from the TV sitcom “Growing Pains” and the faith-themed film “Left Behind,” stars as a firefighter whose marriage is restored through faith. The movie is showing at a variety of metro theaters, including Tinseltown, Interstate 44 and Martin L. King Ave.; Spotlight 14, 1100 N. Interstate in Norman; Harkins Bricktown 16, Reno and Mickey Mantle Dr.; AMC Quail Springs Theater, Quail Springs Mall; and Warren Theatre, 1000 S Telephone Road in Moore.
2. Walking for a cause. Oklahoma Christian University will host its annual Walk for Honduras Sunday on the campus, 2501 E Memorial Road. A lunch will be held at 12:30 p.m., followed by the walk at 1:30 p.m. Walkers make a donation for mission efforts in 
Honduras. For more information about the mission organization, go online to http://predisan.org.
3. Sing a song. The folks at Del City First Church of the Nazarene have helped put together a night on song at Del City High School. Ivan Parker (pictured at right) and David’s Song will perform in concert at 6:30 p.m. Saturdayat the school, 1900 S Sunnylane in Del City. tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for the balcony. For more information, call 677-2330.
4. Marching to the beat … Unity Center of Tulsa has offered ongoing Spirit Drumming Sunday sessions since Aug. 17. Bring your own drum, rattle or other instrument or use of the drums and percussion instruments provided by the facilitator at this week’s class set for 6 p.m. Sunday at the center, 1830 S Boston Ave. For more information, call (918) 582-6624.
5. Tell the truth. The Truth Project simulcast will be offered at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Mid-America Christian University, 3500 SW 119. It’s not too late to sign up. For more information, call 691-3800.
Bonus: Not your average vegetable garden. Larry the Cucumber and all his friends are coming to you live in “God Made You Special Live!” featuring Veggie Tales. The veggie special will be offered twice, once at 3 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Mondayat First Southern Baptist Church of Del City, 6400 S Sooner Road. For ticket information, call (800) 965-9324 or go online to www.itickets.com.
Bible goes green
The Humane Society of the United States is touting ”The Green Bible” published by HarperOne.
“Highlighting Scripture from its environmental perspectives clearly shows that the Bible has much to say about our responsibilities to care for creation and all of its creatures,” Christine Gutleben, director of the society’s animal and religion program, said in a prepared statement.
“The Green Bible” is to hit bookstore shelves Oct. 7, but the humane society plans to distribute copies at upcoming events for its All Creatures Great and Small campaign, including a reception at the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday.
“The Green Bible” highlights in green, soy-based ink, more than 1,000 references, verses and passages related to the Earth. It also contains essays contributed by Brian McLaren, Matthew Sleeth, N.T. Wright, Desmond Tutu and others, and includes a detailed index and personal study guide.
The humane society, through its All Creatures Great and Small campaign, provides ways for people to practice stewardship on behalf of animals and the environment.
“Our campaign is ‘The Green Bible’ in action,” Gutleben said.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Magazine highlighting women pastors causes stir
Browse the magazine racks at LifeWay Christian Stores and you won’t find the September/October issue of Gospel Today magazine.
LifeWay, a Southern Baptist Convention entity, has pulled copies of the magazine’s latest issue because of its cover story: Women pastors.
Customers can, however, purchase the magazine at LifeWay stores, but they have to ask for it because the magazine has been placed behind the counter.
“We removed the September/October issue of Gospel Today magazine from the shelves of LifeWay Christian Stores because the cover story, featuring female senior pastors, clearly advocated a position contrary to our denomination’s statement of faith, the Baptist Faith & Message,” Chris Turner, Life Way’s media relations manager, said in a prepared statement on Wednesday .
“ We certainly understand that some customers have different positions on the issues and do not agree with every point. We also recognize that some customers like to read a variety of views on subjects such as these to stay engaged in the culture. For that reason, we have continued to make the magazine available upon request to accommodate those needs as best we could.”
For its part, Gospel Today’s leaders, on the magazine’s Web site, described the cover story as “timely” in a “year of unprecedented momentum among African American and female leadership,” citing Barack Obama becoming the first black to receive the presidential nomination of a major political party and Gov. Sarah Palin being declared “a front-running vice presidential candidate.”
“We were not attempting to challenge the Southern Baptist Convention’s doctrine, only to report a story … these women are role models to their communities and to millions of females who dream of impacting people’s lives!,” Teresa Hairston, Gospel Today’s founder and publisher, said on the Web site.
The story, the magazine said, chronicles women who are “breaking the stained-glass ceiling” as pastors.
What do you think about the issue?
Do you agree with LifeWay’s decision to place the Gospel Today magazine behind the counter instead of magazine racks?
Let me know. E-mail me at chinton@oklahoman.com. Be sure to include your name and hometown. Your views might be shared in future stories on the issue.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Fireproof” on Dr. Phil
The much anticipated faith-themed movie “Fireproof” will be discussed on ABC’s “Dr. Phil” show on Friday.
The forthright Dr Phil often takes a licking from critics for some of the subjects of his show, but methinks he will get lots of members of the faith community tuning in to see “Fireproof” promoted.
The movie, if you haven’t yet heard, is a love story about a couple (portrayed by actors Erin Bethea and Kirk Cameron) facing challenges in their marriage. “Fireproof” premieres in theaters nationwide on Friday.
Some Oklahoma churches have really rallied behind the film and bought out blocks of theater tickets, coordinated child care and planned sermons and classes around its marriage theme.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
At the poles
Many students are too young to head to the election polls come November.
However, come Wednesday they’ll be heading to poles of a different sort.
Wednesday is See You at the Pole 2008, the annual student-initiated, student-led gatherings that will take place at school flagpoles all across the country.
As in years past, students will gather around 7 a.m. to pray for each other, their schools, communities and the nation. Pictured above are students at Del City High School, along with an adult advisor, praying together as the sun came up on See You at the Pole 2007.
This year’s theme is “CONNECT: Speak, for your servant is listening” from 1 Samuel 3:10.
According to www.syatp.com more than 2 million teenagers met for See You at the Pole last year in all 50 states.
So parents if you are dropping your youths off at school on Wednesday and see a crowd around the flagpole, you are seeing youth prayer in action.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Chanting makes a comeback
The title of this posting is an exaggeration. That is to say that for some people, chanting never went away.
It’s an important part of their lives now just as it was many years ago.
I’m talking about the Catholic monks in Vienna behind the hit “Chant: Music for the Soul.”
It’s an album of Gregorian chants that has become a crossover hit, surprising many, particularly after it surpassed Madonna and Amy Winehouse on the UK pop charts. It has become the top classical album in the UK and it was recently released in the United States.
Newsweek calls them “Vienna’s Newest Boy Band.”
This is what intrigues me about all of this.
According to a promotional release about the album, the monks submitted a tape to Universal Records after learning that the company had launched a contest for Gregorian chant. Universal had advertised the contest in Catholic papers throughout Britain.
Some people, video game enthusiasts in particular, may already know that chantlike melodies have hit the mainstream due to the popularity of the video game Halo. (I asked my 15-year-old son about this and he demonstrated this sound for me. Too much information … but I did ask)
Anyway, if you’d like more information about the album and the chanting monks, go online to www.chantmusicforthesoul.com.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
