LEF


boo inde BEL rep


f ingham’s back shows St. Michael standing on Lucifer, an image that


f


PHOTOS BY JESSICA CONNOR/UNITED METHODIST ADVOCATE


ABOVE: “I wanted to be marked,” said the Rev. Brad Gray. “. . . Th ’


hi b id b h f li h


emy of Dermatology, 24 percent of Americans ages 18 to 50 have at least one tattoo. And while United Methodist pastors might not reflect that same percentage, Mr. Bingham thinks the numbers of tattooed pas- tors—and those not afraid to say they are—will continue to climb.


Preaching through skin After all, as much as they can be a


tool for judgment, tattoos can very often be a tool for evangelism. Mr. Bingham said he has had


ample opportunities to witness to people who ask about his tattoos, es- pecially to young people. And Mr. Bowers said his tattoos


have brought people to church on many occasions. He has worked with gangs, wayward youth and others who embrace sinful lives, and the tat- toos have been a conversation-starter for people who often think the church is about judgment and not love. “People ask, ‘You really are a min-


ister?’ I show them my business card, and they say, ‘Wow, so what if I wanted to come to your church?’ And I say,‘That’d be great,’” Mr. Bowers said. “And they’ve come.”


Ms. Connor is editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, where this story first appeared.


UN ITED ME T HODI S T REPORT E R | S E P TEMBER 30, 2011 | 5 B


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17