The following article appear in The Carteret County News-Times on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, on page 8A:
The Rev. Eric Dougherty of Newport, minister of Church of Christ in Newport, and a third-grade teacher at White Oak Elementary School, has been named new minister of Cherry Point Church of Christ in Havelock. He will begin his new position Jan. 7.
Rev. Dougherty and his family moved from West Virginia four years ago where he studied to be a teacher and trained to be a minister.
For the past 10 years. Rev. Dougherty has preached in West Virginia, Ohio and North .Carolina.
Last year Rev. Dougherty finished his master's degree in science education.
In response to the odd combination of a science background and preaching, he replied, "There is no contradiction between science and scripture. My lifetime goal is to teach the Word of God and about the world He created."
With this goal in mind, Rev. Dougherty has published a book on Christian evidences.
The modem term for his work would be "vocational ministry" because he will continue his work as a third-grade teacher.
"I actually enjoy the dual role," he said. "The two positions compliment each other in that I'm able to better stay in touch with the community. As long as my energy holds out and the church is willing, this will be mutually beneficial to all."
Rev. Dougherty credits family support for his success.
"Both the support of my wife and children and the church family is crucial for a successful ministry. We benefit each other; that's one of the purposes of the church."
In addition to teaching and preaching. Rev. Dougherty enjoys digging fossils, hunting, fishing and running. He has run the Cherry Point Half-Marathon several times.
REV. ERIC DOUGHERTY
Hal here--Back in July of 2002, I warned the church in Newport that Eric Dougherty was liberal (it didn't seem to matter to them). The Havelock Church of Christ is liberal. It'll be interesting to see what happens to the church in Newport, which is/was liberal (but not as liberal as the Havelock Church of Christ).
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Created 2007 Jan 04 Updated |