GAIL WHITE Bible study course brings denominations together
For the past 10 years, at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning, the sanctuary of Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Austintown begins to fill.
Entering the church, the men and women search the pews. They find who they are looking for and, more often than not, exchange greetings with a hug.
There is a similarity about everyone. They are all carrying study sheets, notebooks and Bibles.
But there is an unnoticeable difference among the 140 Community Bible Study participants. Though they sit in the pews at Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church every Thursday morning, most of them worship elsewhere Sunday.
The participants of Community Bible Study represent more than 17 denominations and more than 40 churches from the tri-county area and western Pennsylvania.
"We focus on the commonality of Jesus Christ," says Ellen Blair, teaching director for CBS.
With all the hugs and smiles and laughter upon entering the church, I was surprised to learn that most of the CBS participants did not know one another before September, when the 30-week-long course began.
"There is a lot of relationship building," Ellen explains.
What they share: Indeed, though their denominations may differ, CBS'ers share the same first love and a love for one another.
After a few praise songs and prayer, the 140 disperse into small groups, called core groups.
Each core group consists of a little more than a dozen people.
"Any more than 15 [people] and you lose the intimacy," Ellen shares.
Visiting one core group, led by Sheryl Fortnat of Austintown, I began to understand what Ellen meant.
While the ultimate focus of CBS is to study Scripture and gain better understanding of its meaning, the relationships forged in these groups while on that Scriptural journey are remarkable.
"I love these people," Sheryl smiles, pointing to the circle of chairs around her. "When we start out at the beginning of the year, we are all strangers. Through all the studies and sharing, we end up feeling like family."
Nancy Kendrick of Austintown echoes Sheryl's sentiments. "It is like a family," she says. "Everybody has genuine interest and care for you."
The rest nod their heads in agreement.
As an outsider looking in, I can feel the loving friendship of these people toward one another.
Home visits: As part of the CBS curriculum, each core group has lunch together once a month at one another's home. It is a lively, fun time where the relationships with one another blossom even more.
While friendships are growing and expanding, the Biblical knowledge of each participant is broadening as well.
CBS is not a casual Bible study course. It is, in a word, intense.
"It is an in-depth study," Ellen explains. "And we seek a commitment."
This year, CBS is studying the Pentateuch -- the first five books of the Bible.
Each week, every participant is given a study guide. Each study guide has six lessons to complete.
Perusing through this week's lesson, I realize these are not five-minute, easy-to-answer questions.
These study guides require much reading, thought and spiritual introspection.
The efforts of each member of the core group is directly related to the success of the group discussion.
"It's a discipline," says Peggy Sutherin of East Palestine. "It is difficult to really learn and study on your own." CBS gives her direction.
"You learn different aspects," says Simone Pascarella of Boardman.
In a time where people seem to focus on their differences as a source for hatred, CBS has taken all those differences and channeled them into a source of great love.
XFor more information about CBS, call (330) 758-4276.
gwhite@vindy.com