Pastors' Requests

Lynn Garden pastors endorse County Commission's call for School Board to review no vote on released time program during school hours

by BECKY CAMPBELL, Kingsport Times-News

A group of Lynn Garden church pastors has publicly praised county commissioners for requesting the Sullivan County Board of Education reconsider squelching a released time religious program for Lynn View Middle School students.

''This is a far wiser course of action than killing a successful program. We second the unanimous recommendation of the county commissioners and express our deepest appreciation to each of the members,'' stated a press release Thursday from 10 Lynn Garden area pastors.

Those 10 pastors are Jim Hoilman of Lynn Garden Evangelical Presbyterian, John Anderson of Ketron Memorial United Methodist, Phil Hoskins of Higher Ground Baptist, Carl Strickler of Lynn Garden Baptist, Paul Becker of Concordia Lutheran, Danny Grace of Gravely Baptist, Gary Calhoun of Parker's Chapel, Greg Street of Apostolic Gospel, Bob Underwood of Morrison City Christian, and Richard Dice of King's Highway Temple.

''The Christian community is not afraid of other religions or false teachings. The truth will prevail,'' the pastors stated.

Some school board members said earlier this week they were ''bewildered'' at the commission's request. They also stand by their 5-2 vote in ending the program during school hours.

The school board approved last year the released time pilot program at the school, allowing students to opt out of certain elective classes with parental permission. Students were transported to a nearby church for religious instruction. Some school board members voiced concerns about allowing students to leave during related arts classes.

During the board's last meeting, several people spoke in favor of maintaining the program. But some opposition was there as well. Carletta Sims, Tennessee director of the American Atheists, has publicly opposed the program from its inception because she says it takes students away from important instruction. She and Lewis Loftin, a deist from Bristol, both proposed released time programs to the school board that support their beliefs.

But the Lynn Garden pastors who announced their support of the commission's request say biblical instruction has improved students' grades and promoted better behavior when they're at home.

''We still request released time during the elective part of the school day. Before- and after-school programs do not change the need for released time and the equal opportunity and positive peer support it provides,'' the release stated.

School Superintendent John O'Dell said Thursday he still urges churches to form before- or after-school programs. He also recommended to the board they look at a high school program.

School board members who voted against keeping the program said they did what they believed was best for the school system.

All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, rewritten or redistributed. Published August 20, 1998 by Kingsport Times-News.

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