Franklin’s fans might be a little disappoint, OK a lot disappointed by that. There are probably many fans who would like to hear Franklin and his crew belt out some of his hits like “I Smile” or “Give M,e” to name a few.

However, I spoke with him on Monday morning and he said he is on a mission of a different sort.

Franklin will be speaking on behalf of the American Heart Association to promote a healthy heart message during the 10:45 a.m. service on Sunday, Jan. 13 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N Kelley in Oklahoma City.

He said he is honored to use the platform he has through his reputation as an award-winning recording artist. He’s very passionate about getting the word out to the community, particularly the black community, about the importance of healthy lifestyles and prevention of stroke.

Now, that’s something to smile about.

Watch for more from my interview with Franklin in an upcoming edition of The Oklahoman’s Life section.   

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Young is the author of the bestselling fiction book “The Shack.”

Hachette Book Group, the book’s publisher, says the book is set for Nov. 13 release. They are launching an extensive marketing campaign for the book that will include national print, television, radio and online advertising, plus outreach to churches.

The publisher’s recent news release said ”Crossroads” tells the story of a driven man who falls into a coma and experiences relational entanglements that allow him to revisit choices he made during his life. 

Young’s previous book “The Shack” resonated with many Oklahomans a few years ago. I talked to church groups both here in the metro and in the Tulsa area that were using the book as a focal point for sermon series, book club and Bible study gatherings. Young visited the state to speak about the book — attending a special event in Tulsa and one a Southern Baptist church in Enid.

As popular as the book was, I have to meantion that it also drew sharp criticism from some folks, including some in Oklahoma, who said the theology within its pages wasn’t sound.

I plan to start reading it tonight. It will be interesting to see how it compares to Young’s “Shack” and whether it also will draw both people who love it and people who feel just the opposite.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor   

The new name of the church at 7700 N Council  is The Gate Church.

I happened to be at an event this weekend and I learned of the imminent announcement of the name change. The church’s pastors Tony and Kathy Miller announced the change at services on Sunday, Sept. 30.

I hope to have more information soon, which I will share.

Many people will recall that the church was started by the Rev. Ron Dryden, but the Millers became its pastors in 2006 after Dryden stepped down to pursue other interests.

A source told me that the new name helps to give the congregation “a fresh start.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor  

Oklahoma Celebrate Recovery Inside/Out Ministries will host its second annual Celebrate Freedom Car, Truck & Bike Show at 10 a.m. at the church, 301 NE 27. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

The event is being held to raise money for purchase biles, support materials and workbooks for Oklahoma Celebrate Recovery Inside/Out ministries, ministries that reach out to individuals in prison and those who need assistance and recovery support after being released from prison.

This is an open class show for all cars, trucks and motorcycles. Show fees are of $20.00 per entry. 

For more information, call Jeff Aynes at 204-6961 or email celebrate_freedom@yahoo.com.  Also, visit the Celebrate Freedom Car Show page onn Facebook.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

The pastor of First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs said he asked the couple to have it elsewhere to avoid controversy, although he still officiated at the wedding. He said he made that decision after several church members came to him and said they did not want the couple’s wedding performed in their sanctuary.

Apparently, the church has been getting some negative feedback about this. The wedding is over but the pastor said they are weathering a “storm” because people are calling the congregation racist and saying the decision to reject the black wedding was un-Christian.

I read the first stories about the issue, but I think I’m more intrigued by the latest story that ran in the  Clarion Jackson-Ledger on Sunday. 

I can see why the pastor is coming under fire because some folks (judging from the comments section) think he should have stood up to the people who did not want the wedding performed at FBC-Crystal Springs. Others think he could have had the wedding at his church and let people know who didn’t want the service to be held there.

It looks like some members of the church feel like they now have to defend their church from harsh criticism that is, in many ways, unfair to the congregation as a whole.

It’s certainly an interesting situation.

Here’s the story. You can read  it for yourself: 

Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Mississippi church in storm after turning away black wedding

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

I would think this would be a given but you never know. I think the study is funny, but others may not think so.

Anyway, a map was crafted based on the study’s findings and it seems that Oklahoma is mixed: there are some places where people tweeted more about beer than church and there were some locations where people tweeted more about church than beer.

“… according to the study by Floatingsheep.org, Americans tweet more about church than beer, and there is a distinct regional divide between the tweets. Church tweets were most common in the Southeast United States, while tweets about beer were most prevalent in the Northeast,” the CNN story said.

Read the full story here: CNN’s Belief blog: “Study: People tweet more about church than beer”

Here’s a roundup of what’s being said:

Washington Post: “Are Southern Baptists experiencing a game-changing moment?”

Baptist Press: “Luter’s trailblazing life rich with trials, blessings”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Why?

Simple: the pastors shared their opinions about President Barack Obama’s recent statement supporting same-sex marriage.

The story ran in the May 27 Sunday Oklahoman.

It took me a couple of weeks to get a good mix of clergy leaders, but I think the results were well worth the wait. And get this: not one pastor expressed hesitation about voicing his views. That’s not always the case when I do what I call “round-up” stories involving gathering the opinions of several local religious leaders on a particular topic.

Obama’s May 9 statement of support for same-gender marriage created a stir when he made it and the clergymen’s views   — whether they agreed with him or not – seemed to emphasize how controversial the statement was.

Thanks to all the pastors who took the time to answer my phone calls and emails in order to weigh in on this important topic.

It’s about about the conversation … keeping it flowing. 

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor  

He is what Holy Week and Easter are all about. 

The cover of Newsweek’s latest edition reportedly features an image of what some are calling “hipster Jesus.”

By some accounts, the cover story tied to the image, written by Andrew Sullivan, is a thought-provoking one. (He’s set to be part of a live chat about the article in about two hours today at www.thedailybeast.com.)

Read some of what folks are saying about the story by clicking on the links below:

Atlantic Wire: “Hipster Jesus is Here to Save Newsweek”

MSN.com: “Newsweek cover has hipster Jesus in  Times Square”

Honestly, I don’t think the cover image of Jesus is as thought-provoking as the phrase that comes with it: “Forget the Church. Follow Jesus.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor   

Wednesday  is Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter Sunday.

Traditionally, ashes used to observe the day come from the burning of palm leaves used during Palm Sunday services the previous year.

The ashes are placed on congregants’ foreheads in the sign of the cross as they participate in Ash Wednesday services.

The words “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” remind believers of their mortality — that they are on Earth for a short time.

Lent, the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter, excluding Sundays, is a time when many Christians choose to give up one of their favorite foods, drinks or activities.

Lenten fasting is seen as a way for Christians to identify with Jesus in the suffering he experienced to redeem mankind.

Ash Wednesday and Lent are observed particularly in Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran and United Methodist faith communities, although other Christian denominations often participate as well.

Look for more information about Lent in Saturday’s Life section in The Oklahoman.

———-

Here are other dates to remember:

Palm Sunday will be April 1.

Good Friday will be April 6.

Easter Sunday will be April 8. Traditional Orthodox churches will celebrate Easter on April 15.

Meanwhile, the Jewish faith community will celebrate the first night of Passover on April 6.

(CUTLINE/DAVID MCDANIEL/THE OKLAHOMAN) The Rev. Roberto Quanto, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, shows the ashes that will be used for the 2012 Ash Wednesday services at his south Oklahoma City parish.) 

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor