Lawrence, 56, is what locals of the faith call a man of tradition who believes in the Bible as the word of God used as the authority of The Church.

His biblical take on faith mirrors that of Bishop Edward L. Salmon, Jr., 72, who is retiring.

Lawrence's election reaffirmed the state's conservative character, which is opposed to the liberal stance existing in the Episcopal Church USA.

The divide, members said, widened over the years and became more severe when V. Gene Robinson, who was the Church's first openly gay bishop, was consecrated Nov. 2, 2003, in New Hampshire.

Jim Ewing, a member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Surfside Beach, said the Church is moving away from Bible-based teachings.

"I've seen the Episcopal Church going liberal for probably about 30 or 35 years," said Ewing, a senior warden at his church.

However, Ewing said he believes Lawrence's leadership will be beneficial to the state's diocese.

"His election will probably continue to attract people as it has in the past," Ewing said.

The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina has been No. 1 in numerical growth and financial giving over the last 25 years, said the Rev. Robert "Bob" Caswell of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. Caswell said folks migrating to South Carolina contributed to that growth, but he also believes the message has attracted people. Membership in the state's diocese, which includes coastal areas from Hilton Head to North Myrtle Beach, is approaching 30,000, Caswell said.

Controversies over sexuality and other issues, however, have caused some people to leave the Church and that is a fact Caswell wishes wasn't so.

"If people are seeking God, they can come and find him here," said Caswell, who has been at the Episcopal Church of Resurrection for more than eight years. "It doesn't matter how they dress or who they are sleeping with. They are welcome here. The church is not made up of perfect people. We come as we are, and the power of the Holy Spirit transforms us. I want us to be a church that is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints."

Carole Bradley, a member for four years at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection said she believes eventually Episcopalians will narrow the gap and stand stronger together.

Nationally, there are 2.3 million Episcopalians in the Church, down from 3.6 million in 1968.

"We are in a dark place right now," Bradley said. "But the Lord is in control, and this, too, shall pass."

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/local/15570311.htm

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