21 OCT 07: SHOUT IT FROM THE HOUSETOPS

Don't be surprised if one church in Phenix City has a bigger crowd than normal today. It won't be due to a special singer, or even a potluck dinner after the service. People will want to see how a pastor responds to getting arrested last Sunday -- and it wasn't even for opposing homosexuality.

The pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on South Seale Road had to post bond, after he was arrested during last Sunday's service. A Russell County sheriff's deputy charged LaFayette Claiborne with disorderly conduct. Well, the name says the grove is pleasant - not necessarily the ministers....

(So we're clear: this case does NOT involve the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Seventh Street in Columbus. I doubt the two congregations even play in the same church softball league.)

Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell told WRBL LaFayette Claiborne became disorderly by "raising his voice" during a church service. Aw c'mon - a pastor can't raise his voice during a church service?! How many Pentecostal people will be praying today for God to smite the sheriff's tongue?

Sheriff Tommy Boswell explained Pastor LaFayette Claiborne "alarmed people around him" when he raised his voice. Well, maybe that was his point. Maybe he wants to scare people about the consequences of their sins - or at least wake them up, if they're falling asleep.

But there's apparently more here than a pastor simply raising his voice to evoke the fear of God. LaFayette Claiborne seems to have a dispute with the family of Phenix City Councilor Arthur Sumbry - so a sheriff's deputy showed up last Sunday to enforce some kind of court order. Some ministers would have waved their hands, and knocked over the deputy through the Holy Spirit's power.

Arthur Sumbry's family apparently has held a concert every year at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church - but this year, Pastor LaFayette Claiborne objected for some reason. If the pastor needs a white singer to achieve racial balance, I'm available....

The pastor and City Council member wouldn't talk on TV about the disorderly conduct case. Perhaps they met during the past week, and settled their differences. If they didn't, the attorneys at LaFayette Claiborne's trial will face a challenge - because if you call a pastor to testify, he might talk more about salvation than the case at hand.

(And if that's not enough, ask a pastor the wrong question and he might give you a 20-minute-long answer.)

But I'm still puzzled about a pastor being arrested for "raising his voice" during a church service. Some ministers almost consider loud voices as proof of a worshiper's conversion. I've heard some on radio remind congregations that they wouldn't hesitate to shout and yell, if they were at a football game....

Some ministers even demand worshipers talk back to them during services -- telling congregations, "Say amen, somebody!" Maybe that was the problem here. Maybe someone answered the Pleasant Grove pastor by quoting a Bible verse which disproved his point.

Not all churches and ministers act this way, of course - and you can tell some denominations by how the members conduct themselves during a service. As Cascade Hills Pastor Bill Purvis put it this weekend: "Baptists raise one hand. Pentecostals raise two hands. Episcopalians put their hands in their pockets and watch."

BLOG UPDATE: "WATER CRISIS LOOMS" screamed the front page of Saturday's Ledger-Enquirer -- only a few days after it warned of rationing on the front page. NOW will you stop the showers, and switch to tub baths filled with bottles of Callaway Blue?

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency Saturday in 85 counties, due to the drought. The list of counties includes Harris, Muscogee and Sumter - but for some reason NOT Chattahoochee. Maybe Fort Benning soldiers moistened the soil enough, by putting out all those controlled burns.

Governor Perdue wants President Bush to declare a "major disaster" in Georgia. He'd also like the President to intervene, to stop the mandatory daily release of water down the Chattahoochee River from Lake Lanier. But this might not be realistic - since Mr. Bush already is under fire for waterboarding.

A Saturday morning walk around our neighborhood found three separate violators of the Georgia water rules. A sprinkler system was running outside Whitaker and Whitaker - which is a law office on Broadway. Are these the attorneys handling the Governor's lawsuit?

As it happens, Columbus Water Works marked "Clean Water Week" Saturday with a special event on South Lumpkin Road. People were invited to tour the wastewater treatment facility. Hopefully no one (ahem) was moved to leave a donation....

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now for another powerful person, trying to show some clout:

I saw in the Ledger where MCSD superintendent Phillips made a selection for a dept.head at the main office without opening the position for applications...A big no no...but,then the board approved his recommendation. I guess he can break all the rules without getting detention...Seems I remember once before he tried to slide in an old friend,but was caught..

Yes, I remember that as well. Maybe this department head hasn't already bought an expensive home in Russell County. Maybe this one's actually in Columbus.

Now let's see what else is on people's minds this weekend:

+ A new office for the state Environmental Protection Division was opened at Columbus State University. Too bad - that place really needs to be on Victory Drive, to watch the waves of carbon black roll in.

+ Police reported a worker was arrested for stabbing a co-worker at the Columbus Foundry on Northside Industrial Boulevard. This could have been a lot worse, you know. They could have grabbed some hot metal, and tried to throw it at each other.

+ Mayor Jim Wetherington read a story for children at the North Columbus Public Library. I wasn't able to attend this - so did the mayor drop any hints about an upcoming sales tax vote? I mean, did the story have a character named "Henny Penny?"

+ The Northland Neighbors "transactions" section noted St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Hilton Avenue plans $500,000 in renovations. The reason was listed as "alter church" - which is strange, because I thought most churches came with that already. Oh wait....

(This week's edition also has pictures from the "America's Next Top Model" auditions at Peachtree Mall - the auditions which took place ten weeks ago. This paper is starting to make the Columbus Times look current and up-to-date.)

+ Organizers of the Fountain City Classic football game confirmed they're working on a replacement entertainment act for jailed rapper T.I. If someone pointed a machine gun at me and told me to stay in school for a college degree, I'd probably listen to him.

+ Louisiana State edged Auburn in college football 30-24. L.S.U. was in position for a winning field goal, but instead threw a surprise touchdown pass with one second left. Coach Les Miles thus takes his first step toward becoming the next Steve Spurrier.

(The Auburn radio announcers kept calling L.S.U. the "Fighting Tigers." I know Auburn's nickname is Tigers as well, but you kept waiting for them to call Auburn the team of peace and love.)

+ Georgia Tech overran Army 34-10. WRBL noted it was Fort Benning Day at Bobby Dodd Stadium - but I think the football team was more likely to say "God Bless West Point."

+ Instant Message to Chase Card Services: The credit card bill was postmarked Wednesday. I received it Friday. And the "due date" for payment is this coming Tuesday?! If you expect me to apologize for paying my bill on time and in full, forget it....

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