THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604030182
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Long : 130 lines
WHEN THE Rev. Ruffin Alphin came to lead the congregation of Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church less than two years ago, he expected to see the church grow just by virtue of the fact that Suffolk was growing.
What has taken place is significant growth, prompting the church to embark on a building program to increase space and to expand Sunday morning worship to two services, beginning April 14, to accommodate the crowds.
``We've experienced good growth, and now we're into a very eventful year for our church,'' Alphin noted. The church has added two modular units behind its sanctuary on Constance Road for children's educational space, and it's in the midst of a $175,000 expansion that will add 2,500 square feet of space. In addition, the church is beginning the interview process for an associate pastor to share some of the increasing pastoral and administrative responsibilities.
Alphin credits God for the blessings. ``He's brought together certain elements to create an inviting environment,'' the pastor said. Those elements include a warm and inviting atmosphere. ``This church makes visitors feel very welcomed - our people are just like that,'' Alphin said. An effective follow-up contact with newcomers also emphasizes the caring nature of this congregation.
Another element contributing to growth has been vibrant worship. ``There's a vitality, spiritual energy and life to it,'' Alphin noted. ``It communicates that God is real and we want Him to be real to their lives, too.''
Another appealing element of Westminster's program is a strong children's ministry. ``We have a well-run nursery, strong children's church and an exciting Pioneer Club program on Wednesdays for kids. This is attractive to young couples with children,'' Alphin pointed out.
Alphin describes the church's worship as ``a blend of contemporary and traditional elements.'' Congregational music is complemented by a choir and brass ensemble. And the thrust of Alphin's preaching and teaching is exposition of Scripture with practical applications to daily living.
Another strength of the Westminster ministry is its expansion of home Bible studies and covenant groups within the community. ``These are already being done well by our lay leadership,'' Alphin noted. ``God has raised up some excellent Bible teachers and multiplied our teaching ministry through these.''
The church plans to continue strengthening existing ministries while developing new ministries to reach the community with the message of Christ. ``We want to be a reformed presence in the community of Suffolk that continues to develop vital worship and practical Bible teaching,'' Alphin said. MEMO: AT A GLANCE
Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church
Established: 1971
Address: 312 E. Constance Road
Office: 539-0540
Pastor: The Rev. Ruffin Alphin. Alphin and his wife, Dorothy, have
three children: Allison, 18; Adam, 15; and Anna, 13.
Average Weekly Attendance: 230
Weekly services
Sunday: 8:30 a.m., early worship (begins April 14); 9:30 a.m., Sunday
School;
10:45 a.m., Morning Worship.
Wednesday: 6:30 p.m., Pioneer Clubs and Youth Group; 7 p.m., Adult
bible study.
Call the church office for times and dates of other ministries.
HOW DO WE KNOW THE RESURRECTION WAS REAL?
Someone has astutely observed that today we do not live in an immoral
age, but an amoral age.
By that, he meant that American society is moving away from the
absolute categories of right and wrong and adopting a mindset of
personal preferences and tastes. Now we speak of plurality, of
appreciating diversity, even moral diversity, and demanding that no one
claim to have absolute truth. Whatever is good for you morally, may not
be good for me morally. True virtue is found in not requiring others to
adopt my point of view, for we are all travelers on the same path and
will all eventually arrive at the same goal.
Now there is a certain sense in which we can appreciate differing
points of view, for no one has cornered the market on every aspect of
truth. And there is certainly room for disagreement even among those who
claim to know the One who is Truth.
But beyond this, there is a unique way in which the Christian faith
stakes claim to exclusive truth, and the resurrection of Christ is the
justification for such a claim. For in raising him from the dead, God
declared Jesus to be all that he claimed to be; He vindicated Him,
reversing man's verdict and exalting Him to the highest place.
The resurrection places Jesus and subsequently the Christian faith in
an unmatched position. But that raises the question: How do we know the
resurrection really happened? Was it a hoax or history? Consider the
following alternative explanations.
First, some have claimed Jesus did not really die; therefore, there
was no such thing as rising from the dead. Some say he only fainted or
lost consciousness on the cross. The problem here is it must assume the
Roman soldiers were thoroughly incompetent, for the purpose of
crucifixion was death. Not only that, but how could an almost-dead Jesus
survive in the tomb for days and then manage to push the stone away,
appear to his disciples and then disappear?
Second, some believe the disciples stole his body and then concocted
the resurrection story. But the historical accounts indicate a group of
men who were confused, disillusioned and in great fear for their own
lives. Could such men have realistically mustered enough courage to
outmaneuver the Roman guards and keep the body hidden?
Third, a few have attempted to claim the enemies of Christ stole his
body, perhaps to prevent his disciples from doing so and then claiming
resurrection. But if they did, all they had to do was produce his body
once the early church began preaching his triumph over the grave.
History records nothing about finding a dead body belonging to a Jesus
of Nazareth.
Fourth, some folks say the appearances Jesus made after his death
were only hallucinations. The problem with this theory is that it simply
does not do justice to the founding of the church. All that had to be
done to stop the teaching and preaching of a risen Christ, was produce
his body. But that was never done.
The best and most reasonable explanation is belief in a miracle. The
resurrection is fact, and that means Jesus is in a class by Himself -
able to demand an exclusive place among all truth claims. There is no
other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
- by The Rev. Ruffin Alphin, pastor of Westminster Reformed
Presbyterian Church, Suffolk. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
The Rev. Ruffin Alphin is pastor of Westminster Reformed
Presbyterian Church, which is in the midst of a $175,000 expansion
that will add 2,500 square feet. The church also is interviewing for
an associate pastor.
by CNB