'The Passion' sparks dialogue, churches say

Churches see a new openness in discussing faith.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" has done exactly what the filmmaker wanted.
Gibson graphically showed the Crucifixion so people would understand Christ's suffering to free them from sin.
Area church leaders say the movie has sparked deeper faith in some people and many positive discussions about faith.
"The response overall has been excellent," said the Rev. Chris Jarrett, the outreach minister at Old North Church in Canfield, which sponsored a private showing of the movie. "People have responded very well to the movie, and kind of made recommitments in their faith and have a deeper understanding of what Christ went through."
The Rev. Mr. Jarrett said people come away from the movie thinking, "'This is what Jesus did for me.' It's just been a very powerful, impacting thing in people's lives."
In Cortland, too
The same thing is true at Cortland Trinity Baptist Church, which also had a private screening.
Response to the movie has also been excellent, said John N. Billock, a spokesman for the church.
Billock said he, too, was moved when the movie brought the Crucifixion to life. He plans to see the movie this weekend for the third time.
Neither church saw a huge increase in conversions or attendance because of the movie.
"I wouldn't say we've seen a flood of people coming to church because of the movie," said Mr. Jarrett.
Trinity saw a modest increase in attendance, said Billock.
An aid for evangelization
But "The Passion" and several recent televised documentaries on Jesus and a dramatization about his disciple Judas have aided evangelization.
"I think that there is just such an awareness in the culture now that people are having all kinds of conversations that they had not been able to have before at work or school or with their neighbors about who Jesus is," Jarrett said. "There seems to be an openness to spiritual things that we haven't seen for a while."
Hits at Trinity's Web site exploded since "The Passion" hit theaters, quadrupling to 750 in the past month.
Billock, who maintains the Web site, said, "It's never been that high."
Both churches are completing a series of Sunday messages on the Crucifixion that will end on Easter, when Christians celebrate Christ's resurrection.
Old North has no specific programs planned on "The Passion" after Easter, though it will continue its regular events.
Religion course
That includes working with other churches to offer the Alpha course at the Boardman YMCA. The course teaches the basics of Christianity and allows participants to ask anything they want. Old North is encouraging people to take advantage of the current open talk about Christianity.
"It's a great place for people who are investigating Christianity to come and ask questions," said Jarrett. "You can ask any question. Nothing is too simple, nothing is too hostile. Bring your doubts, bring your skepticism, bring it all and let's talk about it."
Billock is thinking about updating the Web site with more information for visitors.
The goal, he said, "Is to keep that [Crucifixion] story alive, and keep it in people's minds."
wilkinson@vindy.com.
XVisit: Old North Church at http://oldnorthchurch.org/,or Cortland Trinity Baptist Church at http://fm2.forministry.com/Church/Home.asp?SiteId=44410CTBC.