Furman University

Religious Council

Religious Council is a coordinating body composed of representatives from each religious group, the Secretary of Religious Affairs of AFS, and the University Chaplain. Member groups of the Religious Council have agreed to abide by the Religious Council Guidelines for Ministry (see below).

Religious Council functions as a clearinghouse for ideas and information. It promotes unified functioning, mutual understanding and cooperation among the various religious groups. It also works to promote religious understanding and respect on campus.

To view descriptions of each religious organization, choose the Religious Groups link on the left-hand side of this page.

The meeting is open to all, though only official organization representatives receive a vote. 

Religious Council Officers for 2012-3013 are:

President: Drew Bongiovanni

Vice President: James Nix

Treasurer: Peter Lehmann

 Secretary: Christine Gwinn

Religious Group Representatives:

Association of Hndu Students: 
Baptist Collegiate Ministry:  Hannah Vincent
Canterbury (Episcopal): 
Catholic Campus Ministry:  Ahlam Asmaly
Cooperative Student Fellowship: 
Exploration of Vocation and Ministry:  Bryce McClendon
FaithServe:  Jenna Barnett
Fellowship of Christianity Athletes:  Robert Barnes
Furman University Gospel Ensemble:  Keda Dubard
Habitat for Humanity:  Alex Barmakian
International Justice Mission: 
Jewish Student Association:  Andrew Kantor
Lutheran Student Association: 
Mere Christianity Forum:  Thomas Hydrick
Muslim Student Association: 
Orthodox Christian Fellowship:  Sarah Mae Lammert
Presbyterian Student Association:  Claire Campbell
Reformed University Fellowship:  Will Clark
Society for Free Inquiry:  Lacey Brantley
Wesley Fellowship (United Methodist):  Caitlin Russell
Young Life:  Clark Dixon

Religious Council Guidelines for Conducting Ministry

1. Students may make a witness to their religious commitments and invite others to attend meetings of a religious nature.  If, however, the hearer indicates a desire to break off the conversation or to walk away from the one making the witness or to refuse an invitation, such desire should be honored immediately without question or comment.          
2. Students invited to attend any meeting hosted by a religious group or having a religious theme must be told the identity of the group hosting the event.
3. Students must be given an accurate description of the content of any meeting hosted by a religious group or having a religious theme.
4. Students who accept an invitation and then indicate a desire to leave should be allowed to do so without the appropriateness of their departure being questioned. If the meeting is taking place off-campus and the student does not have transportation back to campus, those hosting the meeting should assist the student in returning to campus without questioning the appropriateness of their departure.
5. Random or unsolicited visits to student rooms are not allowed.
6. Solicitation or posting of unsolicited religious statements on or around another individual's door is not permitted
7. Only groups that are recognized members of The Religious Council or have special permission from the Chaplain’s Office may advertise on campus for any meeting having a religious theme.
8. All literature of a religious nature distributed on campus must be approved by the Chaplain’s Office.