The Confessing Tiger

Mere Anglicanism Conference 2012 talks now online. (Anglican TV)

2012-01-25T10:23:00.002-05:00

For those of us who were not able to attend the recent MERE ANGLICANISM conference, here are a number of the talks that are now on line... Thanks to Anglicantv.com
Mere Anglicanism 2012

The New Year is here....

2011-12-31T23:51:00.003-05:00

My prayer is for the Lord to grant you a Happy and Blessed New Year. Even though I'm a reformed and uber Protestant...I leave you with this quote from the Pope.

Yes, joy enters the hearts of those who put themselves at the service of the lowly and poor. God abides in those who love like this and their souls rejoice. If, instead, people make an idol of happiness, they lose their way and it is truly hard for them to find the joy of which Jesus speaks. Pope Benedict XVI

2011-12-15T11:59:00.002-05:00

For those of you wondering what happened at the Province IV Bishop's meeting with Bishop Lawrence of teh Diocese of South Carolina click here for not much on the subject. Thanks to Canon Harmon

2011-11-30T18:15:00.001-05:00

Bishop Lawrence Writes to the Diocese of South Carolina About Disciplinary Board Decision

Find the letter here.

The Disciplinary Board for Bishops has spoken. Bishop Lawrence exonerated.

2011-11-28T20:35:00.001-05:00

Click the link to read the letter from the Rt. Rev. Dorsey Henderson Disciplinary Board for Bishops

Blessed are...

2011-11-05T08:46:00.004-04:00

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6). Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are neither “do-gooders” seeking to establish their own rightness before God and humans, nor even those who work for “social justice,” worthy as their causes may be, for both activities too often lead to further division and to the self-righteousness that destroys the integrity of human community. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness describes those who yearn for the full restoration of broken relationships, who feel the ache and frustration of aloneness in the world, and who are willing to make themselves vulnerable to those who are enemies and strangers. Jesus promises that this hope will be satisfied in God’s reign.

Saunders, Stanley P. (2011-04-13). Preaching the Gospel of Matthew (p. 33). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.

(buy this book here)

An Urgent Message from the Bishop and Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.

2011-10-05T09:14:00.000-04:00

Click here for the .pdf file.

It is also found at the Diocesan Website.

Pray for the Diocese of SC. Our intent is to stay in TEC as an orthodox diocese.

Spiritual but Not Religious? Please Stop Boring Me.

2011-09-01T11:15:00.001-04:00

Even from the UCC this is a good message... C.T.+

Matthew 16:18

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

Reflection by Lillian Daniel

On airplanes, I dread the conversation with the person who finds out I am a minister and wants to use the flight time to explain to me that he is "spiritual but not religious." Such a person will always share this as if it is some kind of daring insight, unique to him, bold in its rebellion against the religious status quo.

Next thing you know, he's telling me that he finds God in the sunsets. These people always find God in the sunsets. And in walks on the beach. Sometimes I think these people never leave the beach or the mountains, what with all the communing with God they do on hilltops, hiking trails and . . . did I mention the beach at sunset yet?

Read the rest...

What I'm reading...

2011-07-22T23:59:00.007-04:00

Here are two books that I'm really digging right now. Plus if you have a kindle or use kindle for pc the ESV study bible (around $80 in book form) is just under $10 in kindle form...and I'm told by my mother in nook and nook for pc format as well. You can cut and paste from it with instant foot noting...

Okay..the first wonderbook is:

Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned around and yours can too.
Stetzer and Dawson

Second uber reading is:

Leadership: A Selection of Archived Articles

Forward by Bishop Howe.

Good stuff...doesn't cloud brain and excites the soul.

God's grace and peace to you.

Tiger+

The Very Rev. Guy F. Lytle III, my dean, will be laid to rest today.

2011-07-18T08:03:00.003-04:00

Today my wife and I are in mourning. Today, in a tiny college town, in South Eastern Tennessee, our seminary dean will be laid to rest.

We mourn with his wife Maria who treated our children like she was their very own (and very young) grandmother and who taught me that the Spanish language was Anglican friendly and a real way to spread the Gospel message. We have already watched as she has allowed the Lord to hold her through great personal struggle and challenge and loss. She has been a role model without wanting to be one and she has kept pointing to Jesus throughout the storm.

We mourn with his daughters who have lost a real daddy. They are two women who grew up in that tiny town with parents who knew the world but loved the mountain. They are two women who brought great joy to their daddy’s heart and eyes whenever I heard him talk about them.

Years ago, when Lisa and I were in mourning after the miscarriage of a child, the Lytles cared for us in a way that I can only describe as Christ-like. Guy let me go on and on in a pained rant never judging, understanding that my anger and struggle were grief driven. So far away from family, they were family and they understood.

Today, the church will lay to rest a man who, even when he was injured and broken, fought the good fight and who understood the Gospel in a way that few today do: Hope for those of us who can’t quite match Jesus’ call to be perfect as His Father in heaven is perfect. For it was this very clear understanding of our brokenness that led Dean Lytle to show me and my friends at the seminary that God did not call perfect people but instead He prepares normal, imperfect people for the ministry of the Gospel. The dean taught us to be less confident in our own gifts and more in Jesus’. Dean Lytle was the person who started me down that path to Christian self awareness. For in 2002, I had little idea that I needed a savior in Jesus Christ and I had no idea that I wasn’t perfect.

In the late Summer of 2002 I signed my name in a large book as I matriculated at The School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee TN. The Rev. Guy Fitch Lytle III at my side. I was scared to death, he knew better. My dean. Our friend. Although we haven’t seen the Lytles very often since seminary, they are seared into a three year family memory. They are family to us as they are family to hundreds of other former seminarians across the country and into the rest of the world. We have lost a father and brother and amazingly for many of us, a colleague.

So today we worship the Lord and mourn with Maria and their daughters as the memorial service comes and goes. God bless the Lytle women. God receive Guy to your bosom. Thanks be to God for a merciful savior in Jesus Christ who is advocate and mediator and the lover of souls.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help?

My help cometh even from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1,2

Advent Devotion Series Online #1

2010-11-30T11:21:00.001-05:00

Following the Star. Click here

Live Blogging from Convention of Diocese of SC

2010-10-15T12:07:00.013-04:00

Notes from the Convention of the Diocese of SC, Reconvened.

UPDATED 10-16 with detailed links and information and corrections.

October 15^th, 2010

Service began with The Holy Eucharist, Bishop Lawrence celebrating and Bishop Allison preaching.

Sermon was about Paul’s use of the word Encouragement (Paracleo) in his epistle. Click here to see and hear it.

Convention began with election of 2 clergy and 1 lay person to the “Advancement Committee of the Diocese” not many of us remember what the Advancement society is. This priest included.

Bishop Lawrence is now speaking to us to bring us updates since last convention, this is not his official address. Click here to watch and hear

@ convention 2009 the vision was put forth that we should be Making Biblical Anglicans in a Global Age. Told how the new Vice Chancellor of the University of the South included many points in his inaugural address that reflected that vision.
Bishop Lawrence was included in the meeting of the Global South as the leader of a body with which they are in communion.

Bishop Nazerali – retired bishop of Rochester UK. He has agreed to be visiting Bishop for Anglican Development in the D of SC “He gives legs to our vision”.
Bishop Monier, Africa and African Horn. New relationship with him and his churches.
Youth went to Ireland. Made a big impact.
Burundi, Tanzania, Dominican Republic

Biblical Anglicanism here at home;

Union of Black Episcopalians hosted in D of SC
Renewal Conference @ Kanuga led by people from the D of SC
Nat’l Cursillo convention to be held here.

We continue to resist the ‘inappropriate level of power” that the greater church poking about. (my words)

Request made by the Diocese of SC of the PB to recall attorney has met with “Stony Silence”
In July 2011 the title IX canon will pass and will dramatically increase the ability for the Presiding Bishop to intrude in the work of this diocese and supersede the work and ministry if her Bishop and Clergy.
Some would have us quit battling and to go with the flow. However examples like this one: the PB has written in support of the Bishop of Sudan and of the Sudanese, but the non orthodox activity in TEC have effected our ability to be in conversation with people in the Sudan and have greatly damaged our relationship.

People ask why the Bishop doesn’t just leave. Bishop feels that we (the D of SC) has a vocation within the Nat’l church and within the Anglican Communion.
He believes that the resolutions up for vote are appropriate and what is needed at this time.

Mentioned at the end of his talk: Tues.evening of this week. The Presiding Bishop has encouraged 5 Bishops to talk to the Bishop and tell him that his current “status” does not “bode” well for his future as a Bishop in TEC.
Bishop reiterates that we have no intention of leaving TEC

Ended with great quote that you can find on his address transcript. Click Here

Before the resolutions are voted on we will have a presentation from the Constitution and Canons Com. And the Resolutions Com. Then we will break for lunch and vote after.

Alan Runyan (Resolutions Com) gave same presentation to entire delegation that has been shown clergy and lay delegates on a deanery level. Watch it here.

This report is much more succinct than the ones previous.

Results for Advancement Society Election: Andrew O’Dell+, Marcus Kaiser+, Myron Harrington

Now voting on Resolutions: Click here to see resolutions.

R-6

Question raised by lay person from Grace Church, Charleston Title IX is not against Constitution“In my opinion, A vote for these Resolutions is a way to separate ourselves from the Nat’l Church. We should not kid ourselves

Fr. B. : Since we are stating opinion I’d like to state that we are NOT trying to leave the Nat’l church. That is my opinion”

Fr. H. : Because article 12 of our constitution does state that we accede to and adopt the constitution and canons in our diocese. When did that happen? Answer 1841. Why are we including the word “accede” and taking out “adopt”. Answer: we will embrace 2006 canons and the constitution we don’t need to adopt anything.

Lay person from St. Stephen’s, Charleston stated that the Gospel is about radical inclusion and that St. Stephen’s will be voting against all resolutions Called us to remember that resolutions are not people and that there are people “behind these resolutions”. (a Good and Godly point CT )

Fr. M.+ asked about wording of resolutions.

Kendall Harmon brings clarity for Fr. M.: currently our constitution will work against us it must be revised.

R-7

Again Fr. H: Removal of the word “annual” reduces the number of conventions to change constitution. Has big problem with this.

Canon Malone+ (retired) :it doesn’t eliminate a second convention.

Kenny from St. Stephens: removing annual would not prevent having 2 conventions the same day. (Bishop points out that the Constitution says 30 days between )

Resolutions R6 and R7, which amend the Diocesan Constitution, passed on a majority vote on the first reading. Because they amend the Constitution, they will need to be further adopted by a two-thirds majority at the 220th Convention which will be held in February, 2011.*

Voting by orders for R-8

Resolution, R8 - Clergy: 87 supported, 10 opposed; Parishes: 40 supported, 7 opposed; Missions: 14 supported, 1 opposed.*

Resolution R9 - Clergy: 86 supported, 11 opposed, 1 abstained; Parishes: 39 supported, 7 opposed, 1 abstained; Missions: 13 supported, 2 opposed.*

Braking for lunch…

Now on to vote on R-10

Ted H? from Grace Church: not a lawyer or theologian but a life long Episcopalian. Is heart broken over the votes thus far. Saddened and destroyed that “my diocese” is going to irrevocably shatter that connection that we have with the denomination.

Emily G? - What about Camp St. Christopher? Who is going to own St. Christopher

Bishop Lawrence Answers: St. Christopher does not fall under Dennis Canon. Only Churches and missions do. There is a hope that we would see ourselves as a church that was held together by a common liturgy and hymnity, a common understanding of Scripture and the Constitution. Most of all by a common worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each of those things seem to be fraying…

Emily goes on….still unclear about ownership of property of missions

Bishop Lawrence Answers: we will still function under Canons and Const (2006) and still under Canons and Const. of this diocese. The worry

Canon Malone (retired) Parishes own their own property…so do missions. However, there is a diocesan canon that does keep us together is specifies that the church can’t alienate its property without permission of the diocese…

Resolution R10 - Clergy: 89 supported, 6 opposed; Parishes: 42 supported, 5 opposed, Missions 13 supported, 0 opposed.*

(R-10 has to do with keeping property…I notice fewer dissenting votes)

R-11

Explanation: change is to bring our charter into line with other resolutions..

John S, Holy Cross Faith Memorial Pawleys Island: (paraphrase)My people are Episcopalians, whether this has the effect of separating us from the Episcopal Church I don’t know but I hope that we will be affiliated with the Episcopal church for many more years.

Fr. H: is opposed to removing this from Canons before change in Constitution is voted on at the next convention.

Allen Runyan: This is the resolution that in the State of SC outside of the Episcopal church, that governs our lives civilly. What is changed here is taking out the words (Ep diocese and USA). That does not contradict ourselves..

Fr. H: Why do it now instead of Feb.?

Runyan: we need to bring our charter in line with what we intend to do.

If we are still operating under the constitution of TEC then we are still under that Nat’l canons..

Fr. H. :Then why do it?

Fr. B: I say this with trepidation….by voting on this we are not setting up a process to leave the Episcopal Church…am I correct?

Answer: That is correct.

Sherman B. All Saint’s Hilton Head: Why did we remove...(didn't get the rest)

Answer: Some of it was to look to the question: what is the purpose of the diocese? Is it to fulfill the constitution of TEC or to fulfill the vision of the Diocese of SC? We are here to fulfill the vision of the D of SC.

Sherman B. It seemed to me that this was a means to leave….

Runyan: if we continue operation under the constitution of this diocese …the const. accedes to the const of TEC.

Lay person from Grace Church Charleston: This resolution is what the SC supreme court says a hierarchical church must do to remove itself from a natl entity. What keeps us in TEC?

Bishop Lawrence: We have retained within our const. accetion to the const of TEC

R-10 passed with some dissention. (again, yays and nays)

All votes passed with 2/3 or better in favor.

Rev. Jennie Olbrych and Canon Jim Lewis propose Resolution from the floor

Creating a safer church (sexual abuse prevention) asked Bishop Lawrence to appoint a task force to create a comprehensive plan to prevent the abuse of Children within the Episcopal Church

Some discussion and much support.

Voting Passed unanimously ….

* Accurate count from Diocesan records as reported by the SC Anglican Communion Network

Diocesan Convention, Diocese of South Carolina Convention Blogging

2010-10-15T10:48:00.003-04:00

St. John's, Charleston (Hanover Street) has been approved as a mission in the Diocese after being closed as a church for almost 60 years. The Rev. Dallas Wilson, Vicar. (this is a good and joyful thing!) This church is 141 years old, Fr. Dallas is the 2nd Vicar in her history.

http://www.stjohnsepiscopalchapel.org/

The Convention Diocese of South Carolina (Reconvened) Friday, Oct 15

2010-10-14T20:13:00.002-04:00

The Diocese of South Carolina will be reconvening our annual convention on Friday, Oct. 15th, 2010.

I will be posting my thoughts following the convention.

Your prayers are coveted.

In Christ,

David Dubay+
Rector, Holy Trinity-Charleston
The Confessing Tiger.

God In America - Inside the tumultuous 400-year history of the intersection of religion and public life in America | PBS

2010-10-14T20:12:00.000-04:00

God In America - Inside the tumultuous 400-year history of the intersection of religion and public life in America | PBS

God Doesn't Need Renegades

2010-10-11T09:20:00.002-04:00

A great post from Resurgence.

(Editor's Note) This is something you need to know BEFORE ordination!

Your effectiveness in ministry depends directly on your dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit. The promise of the gospel is that when we bow our knee to Christ as Savior and Lord, we are united with him, brought near to him for eternity (Ephesians 2:13). That is objectively true for us. However, there is a subjective experience of our union with Christ whereby we appropriate our union with him. This is dependence.

Do Bishops Pledge to Conform to Unconstitutional Canons?

2010-10-09T07:05:00.000-04:00

Written by: Mr. Mark McCall
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

It has become commonplace for those supporting the current majority in The Episcopal Church to claim that a bishop’s ordination vow, particularly what is called the “Declaration of Conformity,” is a vow to accept the majority’s interpretation of TEC’s polity that would grant unfettered supremacy to General Convention’s actions. For example, Fr. Mark Harris made this argument when criticizing proposed resolutions in the diocese of South Carolina:

Now, lets see: The Constitution of The Episcopal Church says this: I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Episcopal Church.” (Article VIII of TEC Constitution)

Perhaps Bishop Lawrence doesn’t get it. “Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship” includes the Constitution and Canons. This so called “oath of conformity” is paralleled by the one required of a new diocese. “After consent of the General Convention, when a certified copy of the duly adopted Constitution of the new Diocese, including an unqualified accession to the Constitution and Canons of this Church, shall have been filed with the Secretary of the General Convention,” the new diocese is admitted into union with the General Convention.

Get it? The conformity, by the Constitution of TEC, which Bishop Lawrence claims to uphold, is to the Constitution and Canons of TEC, not the Constitution alone. The authority for this is the Constitution of TEC.

Perhaps if we do not “get it” it is because Harris himself gets it half right and half wrong in his argument, which one can see at a glance is a complete non sequitur as worded.

Read on...

Recent Goings on in the Diocese of SC

2010-09-24T22:21:00.004-04:00

Here is simply a consolidation of links.

The problems with Title IV click here

The Resolutions for the Reconvened Convention (Dio of SC) click here

Call for investigation of The Right Reverend Mark Lawrence by the Episcopal Forum of SC click here

Bishop Lawrence Response to Request for Investigation click here

Kanuga: The Renewal Conference

2010-06-29T22:24:00.001-04:00

Just a quick note. After July 4th, call Kanuga Conference Center and find out how to get the recordings of the talks given by Bishop Mark Lawrence. If you can get a copy you will be blessed.

Peace to you.

The Rev. Richard Smith Announces Retirement.

2010-04-21T22:56:00.002-04:00

My absolute FAVORITE seminary professor. A godly man and an excellent teacher.

Here is the email I received from the U of the South. I had no idea his first name is Albert.

The Rev. Albert Richard Smith Announces Retirement from The School of Theology

Sewanee, Tenn.—The Rev. Albert Richard Smith, lecturer in Greek and pastoral theology, announced his plans to retire at the end of this academic year. Smith received his M.A. and advanced graduate education at Vanderbilt University, building on an earlier B.A. earned there, and his M.Div. from Wittenberg University. Both prepared him well for the pastorate and the academy. Smith began his ministry at the School of Theology in 1986 as lecturer in Greek, while he remained pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Tullahoma. He retired from Trinity in 1993, where he had served for 40 years. That opened the way to even fuller involvement at the School, where besides teaching Greek with his unparalleled combination of linguistic clarity and loving care of students, he taught courses in pastoral theology, including service as interim professor of pastoral theology. For years he served in essence as a full-time faculty member, contributing to students’ and the faculty’s common work and life in countless ways. Smith's formation as a Lutheran pastor enriched the ecumenical character of the School without diluting its Anglican identity.

The Very Rev. William S. Stafford, Dean of the School of Theology, sums it up, "I thank God for the gift of Richard Smith to the world, the church, and the countless graduates of this School who are better priests, lay leaders, and Christians because of him."

Sewanee: The University of the South, comprises a nationally recognized College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a distinguished School of Theology serving the Episcopal Church. Located on 13,000 acres atop Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, Sewanee enrolls 1,500 undergraduates and approximately 100 seminarians in master’s and doctoral programs annually. Sewanee is owned by 28 Episcopal dioceses, the only university so directly related to the Episcopal Church. For more information visit www.theology.sewanee.edu.

St. Andrew's, Mt. Pleasant is on the move.

2010-03-28T15:16:00.002-04:00

Click here for The Rev. Steve Wood's Blog.

All Saint's, Pawley Island Litigation with TEC ends (link from Stand Firm)

2010-03-25T18:09:00.005-04:00

Click here to view...

Albert Mohler on Tiger Woods' Apology.

2010-02-23T14:57:00.002-05:00

Americans are accustomed to a certain kind of public confession, argues Susan Wise Bauer -- and that means a confession that is shaped by the Christian faith. Indeed, in her seminal book, The Art of the Public Grovel, Bauer argues that Americans are actually accustomed to a public confession that she describes as Augustinian.

She refers, of course, to Augustine, the great bishop of Hippo in Africa and greatest among the theologians of the early church. In his Confessions, Augustine (who had been involved in considerable sin and debauchery prior to his adult conversion to Christianity) set the stage and example for the public confession of wrongdoing. Remarkably, Augustine wrote not only of what wrongs he had done, but also of why he believed he had committed such sinful acts. Theology is mixed with psychology.

Read the rest

Ash Wednesday 2010

2010-02-17T12:56:00.001-05:00

Please read the readings for today...
Click Here

The overall heavenly theme of all that I am reading today is that I belong to God. You belong to God. You are not the King and I am not the King. It is He that has made us and not we ourselves.

I'm not sure about you but I have difficulty with this one. Many times the state of my relationship with the Lord is established by me declaring my needs and wants and my goals and agenda.

Today's verses call us to live lives with proper perspective. That Jesus is Lord and we need Him, not the other way around. This brings me great relief in that I have a savior, I have a God, I have a redeemer and I don't have to spend the energy that I usually do being those things.

That is mercy on a heavenly scale. That is love that I can't match but can allow to pass through me to others. That is grace that saves my life.

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you.

David+

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas Day!

2009-12-06T13:40:00.002-05:00

The Preacher’s Corner.

2009-11-28T09:29:00.001-05:00

Liturgical Gangstas 17: Preaching Ananias, Sapphira and the Gospel

Good stuff! Happy after Thanksgiving !

Living up to the label “Evangelical”

2009-11-19T10:35:00.001-05:00

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/november/28.65.html

Good words from Philip Yancey’s last column for CT (for now anyway)

Diocese of South Carolinal Clergy Conf.

2009-11-10T10:02:00.002-05:00

We are meeting as a body of clergy for the first time in a number of years. There has been some heartfelt discussion already. Your prayers are coveted.

Bishop Lawrence clarifies position of Episcopal Diocese of SC.

2009-10-09T14:38:00.002-04:00

While I appreciate Adam Parker's attempt to understand the larger issues surrounding the upcoming Special Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, his recent article titled "Diocese to vote on split" in the Oct. 4 Post and Courier was unfortunately marred by errors of fact.

These errors are all the more troubling because they relate to the effect of the proposed resolutions, should the convention vote in favor of them.

The errors are doubly troubling because a simple phone call to the bishop or the diocesan staff could have quickly corrected any misunderstanding.

The issues are so complicated that I can understand why such errors might be made. Nevertheless, I believe that it is important to correct misimpressions that the article may have produced. Read the rest...

The Invention of Lying: A quick review…

2009-10-03T08:58:00.001-04:00

Well he did it. Ricky Gervais drew me in and then stomped on my head. Let me begin by saying that the new movie, “The Invention of Lying”, is funny, very smart, inventive, and entertaining. It is also an elitist smack down of people of the Christian faith and God Himself.

So if you can stomach that, it’s a great movie.

Gervais skillfully reels you into a world of gullible, one dimensional people with no religion at all. His first lie has, according to the movie, nothing to do with faith (unless you count breaking the 8^th commandment a faith issue), in fact he uses the first lie to rob a bank of money and then continues to lie and rise in status and wealth by doing so.

While at his mother’s deathbed, Gervais crafts a lie to comfort her in her fear of dying and slipping off into what she thinks is nothingness. The “lie” he tells involves an afterlife with “mansions” for everyone and eternal joy….sound familiar? (See John 14:2) That message then spreads to become a quasi-religion centered around the “Big Man in the Sky”.

The not-so-subtle context of the film is that people of faith are delusional and imbecilic which, if you know Ricky Gervais, is the central rant of his life. If you spend any time listening to his podcasts you will hear his acidic opinion of people who believe in God over and over.

Recently I poked around through a book call “UnChristian”. It’s a book filled with interviews of people who have either been repelled from the faith by Christians themselves or by some perceived notions about what Christians are like. Christian Elitism is a common thread throughout this book as one of the repulsive characteristics of “church people”. This mirrored almost perfectly by the Atheistic Elitism of “The Invention of Lying.” And its funny.

This said…I think that this would be a great movie to watch with other Christians and then sit around stunned with some coffee and discuss afterwards. Gervais makes some very simple, incorrect, assumptions about what faith in God is and his actual message is “if you believe the lie you’re an idiot.” Well at least he’s honest and direct, a quality that many Christians would benefit from exhibiting.

Yours in Christ (who really is real I promise)

David Dubay+

A letter to my parish: Giving as Worship.

2009-09-23T12:31:00.001-04:00

About 4 years ago I learned something new. {which is special for me because as you know, I already think I know everything). I watched a teaching on the internet given by a preacher from Seattle of all places. I have to tell you that it changed my perspective on giving in about 2 minutes. Because before that day I had been driven to give (when I gave) out of guilt and peer pressure.

On any given Sunday, I would reach into my pocket and pull out what change I had (my friend calls it “tipping God”) and throw it into the plate, or many times I would give the usher the “Anglican wave off” and watch the plate move to the people behind me. I had a terrible relationship with that plate. The same sort of relationship I had with my dental hygienist who would have to beg, cajole, or brow beat me into flossing just to save my teeth. I would see that plate coming my way and visualize a robber coming to take my hamburger money.

But that has changed, and it’s one of the few instant miracles I’ve been given in this life. The first words I heard were:

Who is your God? Whom do you worship?

Of course my answer was “Jesus” I mean, wouldn’t yours be? The second question sent me reeling. It had never been asked of me before:

“Where do you dedicate your time, talent, and money?….because that is your God.”

I was furious. Furious that some TV preacher in a Members Only Jacket had challenged me like that and, more honestly, furious because for much of my life I had been worshipping a false God.….sometimes my God was my intellect, sometimes my God was my appetite, sometimes my God was my desire for leisure…..but rarely, using the benchmark of “time, talent, and giving” did I end up with Jesus as my answer. The same Jesus who gave all so that I and my wife and my kids and my friends who claimed to love Him might live forever.

Moreover, when I did give, I had had this sense that I was now part of the leadership of the church, “I pay your salary, I better get something out of this place in return!” But that left me quickly that day. I became, as the Christians say, “Convicted”. And for the first time in my life and ministry I believed fully, that Jesus was truly Lord of my life and not just of the world.

Years later I ran into this little story:

Once upon a time there was a gardener who grew an enormous carrot. So he took it to his king and said, "My Lord, this is the greatest carrot I've ever grown or ever will grow. Therefore I want to present it to you as a token of my love and respect for you." The king was touched and discerned the man's heart, so as [the gardener] turned to go the king said, "Wait! You are clearly a good steward of the earth. I own a plot of land right next to yours. I want to give it to you freely as a gift so you can garden it all." And the gardener was amazed and delighted and went home rejoicing. But there was a nobleman at the king's court who overheard all this. And he said, "My! If that is what you get for a carrot—what if you gave the king something better?" So the next day the nobleman came before the king and he was leading a handsome black stallion. He bowed low and said, "My lord, I breed horses and this is the greatest horse I have ever bred or ever will. Therefore I want to present it to you as a token of my love and respect for you." But the king discerned his heart and said thank you, and took the horse and merely dismissed him. The nobleman was perplexed. So the king said, "Let me explain. That gardener was giving me the carrot, but you were giving yourself the horse." Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God (Dutton, 2008), pp. 60-61;

Of course, the king represents God, and for years I had been the nobleman and not the gardener.

The next step for me was to prayerfully find the stumbling blocks to my giving. There were three big ones staring me in the face.

Since I had changed from checking to debit card use, I didn’t have a check with me when went to church….so coins it was.
I found that when I would write the check or take out cash I couldn’t give sacrificially or with regularity.
I didn’t think my contribution mattered, like taking one grape from the produce stand and eating it doesn’t hurt anyone.

The answers:

To fix problems one and two I set up an automatic check that went out the day after my paycheck hit the bank…I didn’t have to write it…it was just sent… no pain, no inner debates.
I realized that the church actually counted on the amount that I had pledged and had to do things like cannibalize funds for other ministries just to keep the lights on. So my giving was important in a practical sense and not only a spiritual one.
I discovered that my giving to the Lord tells Him and tells me that I am dedicated to serve Him not only with lip service but with my most precious possession…. money. It has opened up my worship, freed my soul and blessed my family.

So, Fr. David, you want me to tithe?

No, I want to you to give regularly and consistently as worship. With the same regularity that you open the prayer book, kneel at the altar, and sing the hymns I want you to acknowledge who your savior is with your giving. 10% is great 5% is great 3% is great, but ask God first and find out what He wants you to do. He will tell you if you ask.

I won’t do a lot of talking about this….its a tough subject but it’s a real subject. If you have any questions about this please call me here at the office

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

David+

Diocese of South Carolina.

2009-08-14T07:54:00.002-04:00

The Bishop of South Carolina is neither reactionary nor paralyzed. Thursday, Aug. 13th was a day that I will remember forever. It was the day that the Diocese of South Carolina, it's clergy and congregations, engaged the problem of corrupt doctrine in a way that has not yet been seen across the Communion. While pride is a sin, I admit, I was proud of my Bishop and of his predecessor, Bishop Allison, who did more for the faith yesterday than the house of Bishops has done in 40 years.

Click HERE for the full text of Bishop Lawrence's address.

Tim Keller: Who is Jesus parts 1 and 2.

2009-08-08T15:34:00.002-04:00

Tim Keller: The Resurrection is intellectually
credible and existentially satisfying.

Part One

Part Two

Rest In Peace Marion Hatchett+

2009-08-08T15:08:00.002-04:00

The following is a message that was received in my Facebook inbox:

Friends, I write this morning with news that Marion Hatchett died sometime during the night. I will send funeral arrangements when I hear of them. Sean+ The Reverend Sean Ferrell, Rector Saint Luke's Episcopal Church Jackson, Tennessee

Joseph Monti retires from Sewanee School of Theology

2009-07-29T10:47:00.001-04:00

http://sitemason.sewanee.edu/newspub/iWaPzG?id=18769

Anglican Digest now online.

2009-07-27T14:46:00.003-04:00

Here is the welcome page.
While you're there, please contribute to the
digest...they need the funds!

2009-07-27T14:12:00.001-04:00

This is a mobile text test.

Bishop Lawrence of The Diocese of SC on Gen Con 09

2009-07-21T09:47:00.002-04:00

From Bishop Lawrence to the Diocese of SC

2009-07-18T19:33:00.002-04:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“…not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Galatians 1:7-8

Grace, peace and courage to you in our Lord Jesus Christ, who was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world into the redeeming love of the Father and sustain us in the power of the Holy Spirit. I write to you in the aftermath of General Convention 2009. You need to know that the landscape of Anglicanism and The Episcopal Church has once again changed. I haven’t time now to describe these matters in the detail that they deserve and I am still too close to the events to adequately evaluate them. I shall write you at greater length when I return to Charleston next week. But let me answer ever so briefly two questions: Where is the Episcopal Church after General Convention 2009? What does it mean for South Carolina?

+N.T. Wright Weighs in.

2009-07-14T18:02:00.001-04:00

In the slow-moving train crash of international Anglicanism, a decision taken in California has finally brought a large coach off the rails altogether. The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church (TEC) in the United States has voted decisively to allow in principle the appointment, to all orders of ministry, of persons in active same-sex relationships. This marks a clear break with the rest of the Anglican Communion.

Both the bishops and deputies (lay and clergy) of TEC knew exactly what they were doing. They were telling the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other “instruments of communion” that they were ignoring their plea for a moratorium on consecrating practising homosexuals as bishops. They were rejecting the two things the Archbishop of Canterbury has named as the pathway to the future — the Windsor Report (2004) and the proposed Covenant (whose aim is to provide a modus operandi for the Anglican Communion). They were formalising the schism they initiated six years ago when they consecrated as bishop a divorced man in an active same-sex relationship, against the Primates’ unanimous statement that this would “tear the fabric of the Communion at its deepest level”. In Windsor’s language, they have chosen to “walk apart”.
MORE

Gen Con 09 from the Diocese of SC

2009-07-03T04:22:00.001-04:00

From the D of SC website:

Pray for the 76th General Convention, Anaheim, July 8-17
Joining Bishop Lawrence in Anaheim, will be SC lay delegates: Reid Boylston, Lydia Evans, Wade Logan and Elizabeth Pennewill, with Lonnie Hamilton as first alternate. Our clergy delegates are the Very Rev. John Burwell, the Rev. Haden McCormick, the Rev. David Thurlow and the Rev. Steve Wood. Three of our delegates will be blogging from the convention. View their blogs here: The Very Rev. John Burwell, The Rev. Steve Wood, Mrs. Lydia Evans. Our Canon Theologian, the Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall S. Harmon, will be blogging offsite at titusonenine.

Read Bishop Lawrence's letter to the clergy concerning General Convention. Read the Very Rev. John Burwell's personal reflections on General Convention.

Your Child, Internet Pornography, Facebook.

2009-06-19T11:56:00.002-04:00

Here's a new resource I've published..buy now, buy often!

When priests rap....somewhere and angel is hit by a bus.... Just say no.

2009-06-05T10:11:00.001-04:00

The Holy Trinity

2009-06-04T19:04:00.001-04:00

Great Ipod Resource #7 Preaching Christ in a Post Modern World

2009-05-29T09:19:00.001-04:00

To listen you must have Itunes installed on your computer. You can listen to it from your computer if you don't have an ipod. Great stuff.

Learning a hard lesson from an unbalanced life

2009-05-28T11:32:00.002-04:00

This is written to Youth Ministers but it applies to all in Ministry, especially full timers.

by Dale Tadlock

Hello…my name is (your name here). I'm a youth pastor, and I'm unbalanced.

In ministry, unbalanced lives tend to be the norm more than the exception. It seems that ministry has a way of subtly drawing us into a life that, in the end, is more hurtful to us and to others than many of us would like to admit. Youth ministers might even be more susceptible to unbalanced lives than many other occupations in the church.

A few years ago I found myself trying to minister in an unbalanced church, led by unbalanced leaders who demanded daily I rearrange my life from balance to unbalance. I knew I was not happy. Constantly it seemed I was being asked to stretch my family and I further and further.

The whole article is here.

Shocking Message To Pastors & Churches

2009-05-27T11:24:00.003-04:00

I'm almost positive that the clowns are Episcopalians... yuck.

The Forgotten Faithful

2009-05-20T08:25:00.002-04:00

The dwindling Arab Christians....

Here

Using the wall.

2009-05-15T03:49:00.002-04:00

When I arrived at Holy Trinity I found "the wall". The beginning of (a now stalled) building project that will someday include a new church building. But for now we just have this huge wall...
It is the subject of much discussion and "humor". So I got a domain name. Put a banner outside the wall that can be seen from the road with "www.whythewall.com" on it, and created this site.
Check it out!

Something to pass the time when the Wii is in the shop.

2009-05-08T10:51:00.002-04:00

John Chrysostom on the Priesthood.
Good stuff!

Is the Passive Voice something you use?

2009-05-04T08:15:00.001-04:00

Despite the advice of grammarians, linguist Geoff Nunberg believes in the usefulness of the passive voice. Listen

Examples of fine homiletics (Listen and Learn)

2009-05-03T17:24:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite Preachers, The Rev. Rico Tice.

Life Way Powerpoint Presentation: Bad Economy Challenges Churches but Provides Opportunities

2009-04-29T12:09:00.002-04:00

Click on the logo!

NLT Online Study Bible

2009-04-27T20:20:00.002-04:00

Sometimes when I'm stuck and can't make a sermon pop out on the page... I pray real hard and then open one of my study Bibles to spark the creativity....Here's a new one online.

The Non-Anxious Presence in Disrupted Homeostasis

2009-04-23T12:35:00.001-04:00

From "Sam I Am"
Last week I blogged about the principle of HOMEOSTASIS which is the property of any organization (institution, relationship, organism, etc.) to long for stability, balance, sameness, status quo, etc. The irony in regards to church is that NO church does anything great for the Kingdom of God in a state of homeostasis. So leaders need to be very discerning in when to live in homeostasis, and when to break out and disrupt the status quo to do something great for God. Having said that, it is important to remember that according to system theorists, a disruption of homeostasis affects every part of the system. Think of it like a mobile. If you pull on one end, every part of the mobile is affected, especially the opposite side.

Read the rest!

Leadership Training in the Diocese of SC...sign up now! sign up often!

2009-04-16T17:43:00.002-04:00

Here's the info at the Diocesan Website.

And now a word from my sponsor.....One Way Out of the Cul de Sac - Bishop Lawrence's Easter Message 2009

2009-04-09T22:34:00.002-04:00

From the website of the Diocese of SC

The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence
Bishop of South Carolina

Ansel Adams, whose photographs eulogizing the landscape of the western U.S. are legendary, once made the comment, “Sometimes I think I do get to places just when God is ready to have somebody click the shutter.” Anyone who has seen his pictures will hardly wish to argue with this consummate artist who was perpetually seeking “order and truth.” I recall his comment as we approach another Easter. I wonder if he had been in Jerusalem, camera-in-hand, on that first Easter morning following the women to the tomb just at what point God would have had him click the shutter. I’ve imagined three such moments. The first is described in Luke 24:1 “On the first day of the week, at early dawn….” Take the first photograph at the break of dawn as the sun rises—peeking above the Mount of Olives—a dominating sky overhead, the clouds that darkened Jerusalem on Good Friday beginning to disperse—the sunrise, the eighth day, the new dawn—itself an emblem of the resurrection, the new creation, now only in shades of black on white: the shutter clicks. More

New Seminary Resource - Greek & Hebrew Reader's Bible

2009-04-06T18:37:00.002-04:00

Very cool, click HERE.

A Brief Response to the tragic shooting in Binghamton New York.

2009-04-04T12:10:00.001-04:00

Well worth two minutes of your day...
Click here

Musical thoughts while preparing for Palm Sunday.

2009-04-03T10:04:00.000-04:00

As I prepared for Palm Sunday services this hymn popped into my head. It is a blessed and appropriate med iation for the day and for all days..to hear the music and sing it click on the link at the bott om of this note.

Words: Attributed to Alexander Means.

Music: From The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, by William Walker (New York: Hastings House, 1835); arranged by William J. Reynolds (1920-)

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I w as sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am”;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on.

http://nethymnal.org/htm/w/h/a/whatwond.htm

The Reverend Marion Hatchet (Prayer Request)

2009-04-01T16:49:00.001-04:00

These are two notes from my Facebook email. Just passing on the sad news.

Dear friends,

I understand that The Reverend Doctor Marion J. Hatchett is in the hospital, and may very well be in his last hours in this life. Please keep him in your prayers.

For those of you still at the School of Theology, please feel free to pass along updates as you are able.

Prayerfully,

Sean+

The Rev. Sean Ferrell, Rector
Saint Luke's Episcopal Church
Jackson, Tennessee

SOT alum Jim Pappas writes,

Joe Ballard, who is the rector of Otey Parish, gave Marion Last Rites this morning at about 6 a.m. I spoke with Joe just before 2, and Marion was still with us, but his blood pressure has been steadily dropping all day. The doctor says there is nothing he can do. And so we wait.

I will send further updates as I receive them.

Sean+

The Call to Preach: Video Matt Chandler The third session of the 2009 Acts 29 Boot Camp held in Seattle on March 9-10, 2009.

2009-03-27T06:35:00.001-04:00

Some good Brain Fodder

2009-03-27T05:43:00.002-04:00

The Nightline "Face-Offs"

The "Face-Off" is a recurring series where opposing sides debate hot topics. In 2008, Ron Jeremy and Vivid porn star Monique Alexander debated "porn pastor" Craig Gross and former porn producer Donny Pauling about America's addiction to porn. In 2007, the first "Nightline Face-Off: Does God Exist?" pitted actor and evangelical Kirk Cameron and his partner at the Way of the Master against two self-proclaimed atheists. In this third installment, philosopher Deepak Chopra and Bishop Carlton Pearson will face-off against Pastor Mark Driscoll of the Mars Hill Church and Annie Lobert, founder of the Christian ministry "Hookers for Jesus" about the existence of the Devil.

Editor's Note: You have to watch a LOT of commercials to view the entire video. And you have to manually click from segment to segment...but the discussion on the existence of the devil is very interesting.. Driscoll holds his own and only tries to be funny a few times although it fails... What we see here is a modern revisionist understanding of heaven and hell and a modern Eastern understanding of heaven and hell, both of which draw from each other and are really not pure strains of ideology or theology but a mish mash. Driscoll lays out the Historical/Biblical understanding of Satan and his relationship to God and to us clearly and succinctly. Watch this with your brain on please. It could offend your senses. -C.T.

Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of SC

2009-03-16T08:50:00.001-04:00

Segue Promotional from Kris Meade on Vimeo.

America becoming less Christian, survey finds (CNN.com)

2009-03-09T14:58:00.001-04:00

(CNN) -- America is a less Christian nation than it was 20 years ago, and Christianity is not losing out to other religions, but primarily to a rejection of religion altogether, a survey published Monday found. Read the rest.

40 Days in the Wilderness.

2009-02-27T21:58:00.000-05:00

Joel Cunningham announces plans to retire in 2010

2009-02-27T16:24:00.000-05:00

Vice Chancellor Joel Cunningham has announced his plans to retire in June 2010. (A link to the Vice Chancellor’s letter is below.)

Cunningham’s administration has been characterized by fiscal discipline and a commitment to strategic planning, which have allowed campus construction and renovation projects that have modernized Sewanee’s learning and living environment. His financial stewardship has helped the University remain fiscally sound despite the current worldwide economic crisis.

Read More

Good Books! - Mark Driscoll weighs in with a fine list.

2009-02-27T08:26:00.001-05:00

Check this yo.

John Piper-What is the Recession For?

2009-02-23T22:59:00.001-05:00

A sermon to remember. Click here for audio and transcription.

Antagonists in the Church.

2009-02-19T13:54:00.002-05:00

I'm reading this wonderful book : "Antagonists in the Church."
Here is a wonderful article summing it up and teaching a bit.

http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200503/200503_038_antagonists.cfm

Anglican Events to Pray Through (Lent and Beyond)

2009-02-17T17:27:00.001-05:00

Click here and pray...then continue praying.
Pray without stopping.

Great Online Resource for Parents!!!

2009-02-14T12:00:00.002-05:00

JellyTelly...don't ask just go to the link.
Spread the word.

Something good for Evangelicals...

2009-02-06T08:24:00.003-05:00

Some of the best minds of the Reformed and Evangelical world..

click the picture to get you there.

Latest Publication from Nashotah House in living color.

2009-01-23T18:16:00.002-05:00

Its a PDF file so you need a .pdf reader to view it Try here

Here's the link to the Nashotah House "The Missioner".

tip of the hat to Titusonenine

Rick Warren knocks it out of the ball park!

2009-01-20T11:53:00.004-05:00

As I sit and listen to the wonderful Aretha Franklin, I must say that I have never been more proud of Rick Warren than I am right now. The prayer he just let flow through him was one of the most appropriate, blessed, and faithful prayers that I have ever heard at a government function.

God bless America.

Charting Our Course - Shaping the Future; A Message from the Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina.

2009-01-20T10:52:00.002-05:00

Charting our Course; Shaping the Future

By the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence (From the Diocesan Website)

One of the better descriptions of the Church I’ve read over the years comes from a character in J. F. Powers’ novel, Wheat that Springeth Green. Powers, a semi-reclusive Catholic writer known primarily for his short stories, has given us a helpful analogy for understanding the Church—he pictures her as a big old ship. As one character tells another in the story:

“This is a big old ship, Bill. She creaks, she rolls, and at times she makes you want to throw up. But she gets where she’s going. Always has, always will, until the end of time. With or without you.”

I thought of that description of the church some time ago when I read an article in the newspaper of a cruise ship returning to New York from a vacation in the Bahamas. It seems the ship encountered a storm at sea. One disturbed passenger was quoted as saying, “We were going back and forth, up and down. And then, ‘Boom!’” The cruise ship, Norwegian Dawn was hit by a freak 70-foot wave. Reaching as high as deck ten, the wave smashed windows, flooded cabins, and sent furniture flying across rooms. One passenger complained, “Why would you go through a storm? Can’t they see it coming? I’m trying not to be angry.” The captain of the ship wasn’t quoted in the story so there’s no way of knowing whether the storm was foreseen, unavoidable, or underestimated. This much I know as a crewman on the Ship of Faith: there are times you can see a storm approaching, you can even warn others on board it is coming, but there’s no way to avoid the storm if the course charted and the storm’s trajectory are aligned.

Read the Rest

Martin Luther King Day, 2009

2009-01-19T05:59:00.005-05:00

When I moved to South Carolina in 1971, I remember getting Confederate Flag Day off from school. I had reached my new elementary school only a few years after full integration. As an Air Force brat, recently moved from Idaho, I had not known many (if any) people of any color other than white. During some free time in 1st grade, one of the black kids in my class made me a necklace out of clay, put it on me, and told me that I was now his soul brother. I had no idea what he was talking about but I knew that we were friends.

It was only much later that I became snared in the fear and distrust between our two races. My friends and I used the "n" word in jokes without any thought that it was wrong. I was the only white kid who drove a school bus, and one of the few in the school choir. My good friend Tommy, one of the few black students on the soccer team, had never been to a white person's home until I took him to mine. Much later I served a church as youth minister which had the history that included it's elders, in the mid sixties, standing on the front steps and blocking the attempts of African American Presbyterians to get into the church and worship.

I share these memories not to say that I have any corner on race relations or it's breakthroughs; but to say that I am grateful that I have not lived in a racial vaccuum, like so many of the kids to whom I have ministered. I am greatful to God for any advance in racial equality. And even though I didn't vote for him because of his politics, I am as excited as most of the country that a man of African descent will be serving as president. I really never thought that I would see it in my lifetime. I leave you with one of my favorite Bible verses and the speech that will be repeated hundreds of times all over the nation today.

23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:23-29 KJV

First night of Mere Anglicanism with Dr. R. Albert Mohler

2009-01-15T23:25:00.003-05:00

Amazing night. If you weren't there you missed a wonderful lecture (talk, speech, sermon) on the development of secularism in the Western World. It was a very thorough and accurate account of the path we have taken to get to where we are. But it's late and I'm nowhere as articulate as the Rev. Doc so check out his website and glean from his vast and amazingly "on target" understanding of the 21st Century church and the challenges we face...
http://www.albertmohler.com/

YOUTH MINISTRY DEPT. Abandoning Outreach Events! (Tim Schmoyer)

2008-12-13T15:02:00.006-05:00

It took me almost 17 years as a youth minister to get this into my head. This guy is right. Read this and save yourself some grief!- C.T.

Why I've Abandoned Outreach Events!
Tim Schmoyer

For many churches and youth groups, the typical approach to evangelism is to host a big event that will be attractive to unbelievers who are invited by their Christian friends. A little over a year ago I wrote a blog post about my problem with outreach events like this. Back then I didn’t really have any answers for my frustrations, but now I do. I’ve officially decided to ditch outreach events

Read his great reasons...

Amazing, May God hold them tightly in His arms...

2008-12-12T12:49:00.003-05:00

An Advent Sermon: David Dubay @ St. James, Charleston SC

2008-11-30T16:54:00.003-05:00

This is written to speak not to read.. in include it with all the typos and bad grammar that I fix as I read it. I think the audio is not far behind this posting.
Grace and peace to you in Jesus Christ, who was and is, and is to come.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was preached Nov. 30th @ St. James, Charleston (James Island)
copyright David Dubay 2008

Welcome to Advent…

According to Webster the word “advent” means: the coming into being or use

The word Advent brings to mind a sense or a feeling that something is about to happen…. That something is coming.

Sometimes we know what the something is. Sometimes we think we know what that something is. Sometimes that something surprises us with what it is……

Like having a baby….they can tell you and tell you what it’s going to be like in that Advent period before you receive that blessed package…but until you’re changing that diaper or waiting up for the kid to come home from something a little too late. The reality is always different from the preparation lecture or the encyclopedia sized baby books…

The Season of Advent is like that for me… and over the years the meaning of the season has changed in my life…and I think you can relate. It really depends on how old you are and how much you listen to the bible readings in church….

For me…for a long time…. Advent was simply the season before Christmas…. The season that people would refer to as the Christmas Season. The time of year when my family would begin preparing for the Day of Present Giving….

We’d start limiting the colors of the clothes we’d wear… around my house things seemed to turn to mostly green and red…..my mother would bring out these really terrible sweaters….with giant elves and reindeer on them and wear them in public…

The music would change…the TV shows would change…we’d get all excited about a deer named Rudolf with an odd electric nasal deformity and a possessed snowman who sang…chased kids around saying ‘happy birthday’. And this would lead, eventually, to the 25th of Dec.…

Somewhere in there we’d be reminded that it was also the day we remember the birth of the tiny baby Jesus…who was born in a barn…and who apparently was visited by shepherds and wise men within about 4 minutes of being born because a star put a giant spotlight on the barn and the animals all started talking….

Later….as I grew older Advent became a deeper and more rich season for me….
When I was about 16 my parish priest told me that Advent was much like Lent in that it is a penitential season. He told me that I should be taking special time to pray and concentrate on the birth of Jesus and what that means. So around that time, the baby Jesus became less of an extra add on to Advent….but the center of my worship as I would figuratively and literally prepare myself for the birth of Jesus….that I would then think about and wonder about things like if Jesus were to be born today where it take place or who would be his mother or what race would he be and what did a baby, the Son of God being born into poverty mean to me. So it became a time when I often became quiet. When my prayer life grew. But like with all seasons..it would end for me…around 3pm on the 25th and I’d go back to being less prayerful and less introspective…

And then…in my adult years…in my years as a minister, something very stressful happened…. I started reading my Bible and not just being read to. I started listening to sermons. I started praying through the lectionary and I find that Advent is not just about Go tell it on the mountain…that Jesus is going to be born….but along with that that he’s coming again for the last time…. That the readings for Advent take us to the manger and take us to the end of days….

What a conundrum…. What in the world am I supposed to feel here. It’s so stressful.

Add to stress of planning for Christmas…the food and the shopping and the snowman sweaters and the gifts for people who give you gifts that you weren’t expecting but can’t send away empty handed….. Add to the anxiety that fills my heart when I think about the misuse of the season; of the secularization of the Christian celebration; the Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas and the Corporate greed that sweeps the nation and leaks into my own home….into my own family….and was so much a part of who I was as a child……. And now…Jesus is coming back…

It’s almost more than I can bear….

And I think that pressure for me comes from what I think the second coming means for me…..because I have read the whole left behind series…and saw the movie.. I’ve read all the scary parts of the book of Revelation. I know that somehow even though I’ve been told that I’m covered by the blood of Jesus that I’ve missed some minute detail and I’ll be standing there and everyone else will get on the Holy Elevator and I’ll be there….dare I say it…left be…..side the church building…

I am guilty of that guilty feeling…as are many of us….

That, although I would rather be with Jesus in the New Jerusalem and on the New Earth….I know that I’ve missed something.. That I’m not prepared..

I’m prepared for carols, and Candlelight services and Santa but today’s Gospel reading says nothing about those things….

Lets review:
24“At that time, after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
25the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. 27And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. (Mark 13:4-27 NLT)

I would love to hear the Christmas Carol written from that verse…Fa la la la la the moon goes dark…..

Okay…you get my point…and it seems dark and dreary now…

So hears the good news….as I had to discover…and as I’m sure many of us here today already know. The second coming is not at all about nervousness, whaling or gnashing of teeth… it’s about freedom and liberation, and salvation and kept promises ….and eternal Joy….Joy to the world in fact ….Halleluiah in the highest in fact….in fact take the feeling you get from your favorite Christmas carol and multiply it by a thousand….

And for me the most exciting thing about Jesus’ coming to get me and us is that the longing and striving and hoping and waiting will turn into just being with Jesus…

Someone. once pointed out to me that Eternal life with Jesus was a life without hope…

Which at first sounded really sad to me…until he pointed out that Hope is about anticipating something good happening…and with Jesus….the good is there and there’s no need to hope for it….which in this world is hard to fathom…but it’s true…

And if that’s not encouraging enough as we head into the crazy, worldly, month…. Listen to the wonderful blessing that we, God’s church get from the Bible today. Listen to what St. Paul writes to the church in Corinth:

As I read this…hear it written right to you…right to your address…your name is on the letter…

3May God our cFather and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
4I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6This confirms that what I dtold you about Christ is true. 7Now you have every spiritual egift you need as you eagerly wait for the freturn of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into gpartnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:3-9 NLT)

So although sometimes for me , life may feel like a looooooong sit in the universe’s giant waiting room…. The Lord is in the midst of us now….He has tinkered with our hearts…. He has meddled with our Spiritual DNA….he has been slipping us gifts…powerful gifts…. Survival gifts while we weren’t looking.. While we’re out sweating and biting and scratching on Black Friday…God’s been putting, faith, love, charity, courage, wisdom, and words of knowledge under our trees….

And all we need do to receive this gifts…is believe. It’s not about number of Bible studies you attend, it’s not about giving to charities, it’s not about the He’s the reason for the season buttons…. It’s about the transformation and the blessing and the visible presence of Christ in your life that comes from believing…

Believing that He is with you
now, through the Holy Spirit.

Believing that you do NOT have what it takes to fulfill his commands but HE does through you…believing that even in the darkest hour; the most depressing economic downturn; the most stressful family holiday meal…..that you are NEVER….EVER alone…..never without a savior and redeemer….

Than that is something worth singing about….that is worth decking the halls and preparing the Wassail….that is worth….staying awake for a midnight service or dressing like a complete nut!

Jesus rushing to our rescue as Emmanuel again and finally….that is what gives me the Christmassy feeling these days…. And I hope you leave here filled with it as well.

Filled with the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in a way that makes you amazingly obnoxious for Jesus….that causes you to bring Christ to others, to feed, clothe, and bless others,….and to tell them about the Jesus you know.

And to recall with great Joy, great Joy….that

As St. Mark tells us, and I believe we can picture a smile on his face as he told this to the people of his day….

24after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
25the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. 27And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

[And, although]
no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert (Mark 24-33 NLT)

That’s right! Mark says….with an exclamation point STAY ALERT.….like you’re waiting for Christmas morning…. STAY ALERT like you’ve been waiting all year for this very morning….STAY ALERT like you’re a Child waiting for Santa….but then getting someone much much much better…and for all time.

For even though, we spend this time preparing to remember the incarnation…the time when God became one of us…When Jesus came to town….

It was the baby Jesus…who in 25 days we will find lying in the manger once again….who died that we might live….who took our place in punishment and set us free….

and who has promised…in his Word. That in His good time, we, who believe, will live with him forever….

And that is the Advent I can sit through…that is the Advent that calms me in the lines at the mall. That is the Advent you and I enter into today.

• Seek him this day.
• Call upon His name.
• Spend this church season not stressed but on your knees.

Because today we remember once again that Jesus is not just a figurine in a crèche… but that Jesus is Lord.

And for that I say…thanks be to God.

Off Topic Fun!

2008-11-29T17:39:00.002-05:00

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.

2008-11-27T10:54:00.003-05:00

I have been slow to post much these last few months as the sea on which my ship resides has been choppy of late. However, as I sit with my family and after my morning devotion, I am thankful that I have a God who never fails, a Savior who never forsakes, and the Holy Spirit who comes along side and gives peace that far passes my understanding.

May God bless you and yours. May He bless our nation. May, through your devotion to Christ the King, more and more come to know him has Lord.

Happy Thanksgiving.

The Confessing Tiger.

A good laugh!

2008-11-23T21:45:00.000-05:00

I'm back....here's "The Shack".

2008-11-05T10:24:00.003-05:00

Okay..so everyone that I know has read this book. Like all books about faith that EVERYONE loves I a bit skeptical. However, I'm reading it...or really, I'm listening to it. I'm an auditory learner. I remember things better if I can hear them as well as read them. Recently I found a great deal. You can find The Shack in audio form on ITunes for only $5.95 . It's on Audible.com for around $15. So the ITunes download is a deal. My prayer is that it is as much of a blessing to me and to you as it was to my beautiful wife. If you have trouble with these links then head to ITunes.com or Audible.com and search for "The Shack".

Grace and Peace -Dubay+

Experiencing God, The Musical. No Kidding.

2008-09-24T16:53:00.002-04:00

Here to listen.

Personally, I'm holding out for the interpretive dance version.

What do you think about political endorsements from the pulpit?

2008-09-16T13:30:00.001-04:00

Well I wouldn't do it, but this is interesting.

From the Washington Post.com

Where was God during the terror attacks of 9/11?

2008-09-11T17:56:00.002-04:00

A week after the towers were destroyed I found myself at a youth conference in North Carolina. Before the kids arrived, we the staff (and I the paid and flown in musician) sat in the circle…and prayed. We prayed for the young people, we prayed for strength and stamina for the coming weekend. We prayed for safe travel for the participants…and then one of the ministers said, “ I have been unable to find God in all this, how could God be in any of it?”

We were silent for a while more. After all it was a valid sentiment. I have found that in times of disaster people usually end up in one of 4 camps….

a. God was with me, I made it through.

b. God’s will be done, I’m not going to question, even though I have questions.

c. God was not there, that is why it happened.

d. God did this, how can I love that God.

The people that I was with in that hour of prayer could not find God in the disaster…and I was not in the camp that said that the disaster was willed by God…that he caused the crash to further the cause of Christ…which I have heard spoken a few times since.

That night, after the yoots were sleeping in their cabins, I prayed again. “Heavenly Father, show me where you were.”

This is what I heard and wrote down.

I was there, I was weeping for the men who were committing the murders. I was in their ears, in their consciences, begging them, commanding them to stop…they couldn’t hear me, or they wouldn’t hear me. Listen. LISTEN! Listen.

I had my arms around those in the buildings; I was comforting the dying and the terrified. I was weeping for the loss and the injury; was whispering into the ears of the suicidal…saying, “I am with you always.” I was falling with the victims of the disintegrating towers; I was gathering the dead into my arms.

I was in the hearts and muscle tissue of the rescuers; I was in the prayers of the faithful as well as those to whom prayer was new and unfamiliar. My word and Holy Spirit was bringing comfort when no answer would suffice. I was in the morgue, on the walls of photographs, in the ambulances, moving through the dust. I was in the courage of the construction workers and the conviction of the surviving policemen and firemen.

I was on the Cross saying to those who knew me, “today you will be with me in paradise.”

I am still in New York, healing hearts, fighting disillusionment and hatred. I am in America, reaching out with a message of forgiveness and reconciliation and welcoming those who in their confusion and pain turn to me to cope; pointing them to Jesus.

And I’m back in the terrorist camps, wherever they may be, screaming into the ears of the extremist assassin. Stop! Listen to me! This is NOT what I require of you! You have been sold a lie in my name. Turn your head to me…here is my Son, Jesus. He has a message for you… Listen. LISTEN. Listen.

May God bless us all.

Dubay+

Why I recruit retired adults to be youth leaders (Tim Schmoyer)

2008-09-04T10:51:00.003-04:00

(From www.timschmoyer.com)
It seems like most youth pastors and sr. pastors think that college students or young married couples make the best youth workers, usually because, “The kids can relate to them” or “They’re energetic.”
Looking back over my 10 years in youth ministry, I can honestly say that I’ve had more problems with the college kids and young married couples than any other volunteer demographic. Granted, I probably fit into the “young married couples” category myself, so I’m not too hard on the immaturity. It’s just that every single retired youth worker I’ve had is absolutely wonderful! They’re the most incredible youth workers ever!

For the rest Click Here.

Holy Communion and Germs....

2008-08-29T17:39:00.003-04:00

This is 3 years old...but very informative.
HERE and God bless you!

Free Wall-E Bible Study (Youth Specialities)

2008-08-28T12:12:00.003-04:00

A Wall-E Bible Study! from YS

http://www.youthspecialties.com/freeresources/movieresources/walle

An American Abroad.

2008-08-25T13:46:00.003-04:00

My young friend Tallie Cross has gone to Egypt.

She's there to study and to get a handle what it would take to

reach across the chasm between the Muslim and Christian Faiths.

She is a thoughtful and eloquent person. And, really very honest.

Click here to read her blog...

God Bless you Tallie.

5 Ways a Youth Minister (or any other Christian Educator) Can Get Themselves Fired.

2008-08-23T00:08:00.004-04:00

I have been in youth ministry for two decades. I have seen the mighty fall. I have been the mighty who has fallen. Over the years I have noticed some patterns that many ministers get caught up in. They are patterns of destruction, and have led to the “voluntary resignation” of many a minister. So from my own experience and from the lives of other people who just thought they were bringing Jesus to teens when the lights went out, I give you this list. As you read put check marks by the behavior that you exhibit. Some or most of these traits can be solved by getting some counseling. Some can be fixed by surrounding yourself with people who have the gifts that you don’t. Some of them mean you need to seek employment elsewhere, possibly in another field.

Check out the new E-Booklet (.Pdf) at www.palmettopastor.com

The behaviors I cover in this booklet are:

Becoming Invisible (the unseen get unpaid)
Handling Emotional Topics with Email (you send it, they end it)
Triangulation (just say no)
Bad Boundaries (You are the adult, remember that)
Feuding with the Grey Panthers (you can’t win, but then again its not a fight)

Actual advice that works.

Real situations, real answers.

Grace and Peace to you in Jesus Christ,

David M Dubay+

Bigfoot, Eunuchs, and the Canaanite Woman.

2008-08-19T12:13:00.005-04:00

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
David M. Dubay+
St. Philip’s Church, Charleston SC

Click here for WMA Audio download.

Click here for Scripture Readings

Bigfoot Hoax Update (remember God IS consistant, we are not)

As I begin today’s sermon I need to tell you that this has been a difficult week for me. Much of what I held as truth has been violently shaken if not turned on its head…for years I have been telling my son, Joseph, what I was sure to be the truth. I had no doubt that I was right. He depended on my honesty. He relied on my wisdom about how the world works….but now….that part of our relationship is damaged, maybe forever,….because, according to CNN,.. Bigfoot may, in fact, be real.

Since my boy was a toddler, he would, from time to time, look up and me with those big brown eyes and ask, “ Daddy, is Big Foot real?”

“No son”, I’d reply. “Not a chance.”

Now I can’t be sure what is real and what is fantasy….

Just an aside for the reader, I don't believe there is a bigfoot.

Interestingly, as I began working my way through the scripture readings, in preparation for this sermon, I found that each reading, brought to light a moment when God changed his mind. In each reading a truth seems to change. Ultimately we find that it doesn’t change…God is, as always, consistent. But we meet in each reading, people who were, in the past, denied access to blessings of the Lord, and the worship of the Lord. And here, suddenly they are“let in the door.” They are given the keys to the city. We need to take a look at why that occurred.

In each reading, the Lord, in His wisdom, crosses boundaries that were set in stone even up to the day before. As we read and study these verses we find that the bridge across these barriers and boundaries is not some kind of politically correct inclusiveness. God doesn’t suddenly say in Isaiah: Okay you Eunuchs and Foreigners, You can now join my people in worship of me because I’m feeling sorry for you…and we don’t want to damage your self-esteem, everybody wins….

In the book of Deuteronomy, we find God’s earlier prohibition of Eunuchs and members of Foreign tribes intermingling with the people of God was a way to keep pure, the faith and worship of the people of the One God, the God of Abraham and Isaac.

Allowing people of other faiths into the inner circle of Israel would have infected the faith with other deities and beliefs and the first commandment would be broken quickly….

Isaiah’s declaration that Eunuchs and People from “off” are now welcomed in the temple is a declaration that God recognizes that there are now verifiable converts in the land. That there are people who have turned from their worthless idols and now, with a deep and real faith, love the One True God. God’s presence in the region had begun to change the hearts of men and women. His eternal tug on the hearts of stubborn, self assured, non believers was changing them on a microscopic level….their spiritual DNA was shifting …and the unclean were being made acceptable to God by Grace through Faith.

It’s that same cultural struggle we witness in the Gospel of Matthew today…And, I believe to teach a lesson, Jesus plays the role of legalist almost to the bitter end gives us and his disciples a key lesson in the nature and blessing God’s saving Grace.

At first, it’s a culturally typical scene. 1st Century Jews did their best to avoid Pagans. To God and to the Jews, Pagans, their sacrifices, their Gods, and their bloodlines were unclean…outcast, they were less then human.

Jesus first learns of a pagan woman calling after Him from his disciples…

The woman is a Canaanite. And while the land of Canaan was blessed to the people of Israel the Canaanites were not at all esteemed…..They were unclean, idolaters. In the book of Deuteronomy we find this commandment from the Lord God to His people Israel.

You must completely destroy them--the Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite--as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that they won't teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and you sin against the LORD your God.[i]

So you begin to see the cultural tension building here…one of THOSE people was following after and annoying the King of the Jews, the Messiah,. Who, in his own words, “ was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” And not so some idol worshipper from the next desert over.

But the woman is persistent…and she has done her homework, she knows Jesus, better than His own disciples do….

Have mercy on me Lord, Son of David…..Son of David… She knew her Hebrew prophecy, She knew his human lineage…and we find she knows that He is a purveyor of God’s miracles….A conduit for the Grace of Jewish One God….She sees, what the disciples do not….that boundaries and social barriers do not confine the healing and saving Grace of Jesus the Christ.

Listen to this escalation….. the woman is calling after Jesus
And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us."

He answers in a manner that is culturally correct and safe and factual

"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Jesus says this to his disciples not to the woman, she is slighted here, ignored)

But this did not faze the woman…and here we get a glimpse into the nature of Godly parenting…it is unfazed by obstacles no matter how big…. So them she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."

He answered, and here we have the difficult saying of the hour…Jesus is seemingly cruel.” It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs."
In ancient and in most modern Semitic cultures the dog is not a warm and fuzzy pet. In these countries dogs are garbage scavengers, bottom feeders, and vermin. Calling someone a dog, even today in the Middle East is a capitol insult. And you can maybe see the disciples standing behind Jesus, loving this whole exchange…If I were there you’d hear…yeah that’s right….he said Dog!… what are you going to do about that!…Lousy Canaanite! Jesus’ words are designed to inspire an emotional reaction…

But here, driven on by a mother’s love and something much more powerful…the women reaction is not one of anger or frustration…she stays in the game…she knows who Jesus is, she knows who she is…and she wants her daughter whole again.

She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

Then Jesus answered her, (and you can almost hear birds singing here!)

"Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.[ii]

In my mind the faces of the disciples change at this point…they’re jaws drop, they can’t believe what Jesus has just said….they have been taken past the boundaries of what they know to be true, and shown that faith trumps, ethnicity, that faith is a key component of reconciliation to God, that faith, given by God, also elicits Grace: blessed saving Grace.

It’s as if Jesus was saying “Woman, woman of a tribe on which my Father declared war…through My eyes…that same God knows your faith and loves you into a miracle….

Such a miracle!….for in that moment there was no sacrifice, other than surrender…no ritual other than contrition, and no offering other than real, heartfelt, faith. And that’s what Jesus was after…the faith.

Let’s face it…there’s no denying it…this is a good story…. And it’s fine example to follow if someday our children are in need or ill…or possessed by a demon…good to have in our religious tool kit. And I put this in my pocket and march on to the table where God will meet me and bless me and share his food and presence with me….but then all of a sudden, I hear myself utter these familiar words….

“I am not so worthy as to pick up the crumbs under thy table….”

In other words…..I’m the dog.

And then I continue….because I know the same thing about Jesus that the Canaanite woman did….

“But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy….”[iii]

In other words…Jesus you’re not like the pagan Gods with their arbitrary lightning bolts, petty jealousies and who really don’t exist….you are the God who is real….who tugged at me until I got up and came to church this morning and who wants me to know His mercy and grace…because of my tiny, tiny, but God given faith.

The gift given to the Canaanite woman that day is available to us… the same intimacy, the same healing, the same blessing of Grace upon grace is available to us…through the conduit of faith….and if you’re here today….you have the faith…

Because I believe that if you are here today it’s because you were called….in the Bible Jesus says, that No one comes to Him unless the Father draw Him….

And look, here you are…in the church, the house of God, in the presence of the Lord, the Lamb, the Savior. What would the neighbors think?

And in a few moments we will recite what the church calls the Prayer of Humble Access…it is the prayer that is today’s Gospel story….and I bet you can recite if from memory…

This time…as you kneel and pray it again….remember, you need a miracle, You’ve heard that Jesus is in town….you’ve done your homework and you know who He really is…and you’re desperate for the blessing…and you believe…you have faith.

The Canaanite woman’s story is our story…her need for Jesus and his Grace is the same as our need for Jesus and His grace. Her blessing is our blessing too.

And with that blessing the upside down world is turned right side up again; and our imperfect truth is trumped by the full truth of God; and our imperfect plans are superseded by his perfect and Holy Design for our lives; and the demon is cast out.

This is more than a good story….it’s the story of the Christian…it’s our story.

And it’s what keeps me going whenever I stumble, and when I sin, and when I fall bruised and bent….raising to one knee I remember that His property is always to have mercy….

And I muster a seed’s worth of faith and find a miracle….My prayer is that you would have enough faith this week to expect that miracle….and that as you recall this woman, the disciples, and the Lord Jesus that you are able to say, with joy in your heart…
Thanks be to God.

[i] Deut. 20:17,18 Holman Christian Standard Bible.
[ii] Matthew 15:21-28 ESV
[iii] Prayer of Humble Access. BCP 337

Are you and American Pelagian?

2008-08-13T20:30:00.002-04:00

Great podcasts and resources from the Whitehorse Inn

Download them all! I'm loving this.

It's Merely Back!

2008-08-13T15:02:00.003-04:00

Mere Anglicanism is Back! Coming to Charleston SC in January of '09
Click here for details.

Sanctus - Dubay

2008-08-11T10:33:00.003-04:00

www.palmettopastor.net

Pray for China

2008-08-11T08:40:00.003-04:00

Someone brought some Pray for China bracelets to the office last week. I thought it was about the Olympics. It was not.

Look here.

Sanctus Dubay Sheet Music Now Available!!!

2008-08-09T00:18:00.002-04:00

In 1990, on a rainy evening at Browns Summit Conference Center, God gave me the only worship song I've every written.

Since then, this version of the Sanctus (Holy Holy Holy) has found its way in to worship services all over the nation.

I've given permission to churches all over the country to use it. I've recently heard that the Diocese of Alabama will be publishing it in a new Cursillo Song Book.

So for years people have been asking if I had the music to this song. Finally I do. Also I have a recording available so that you can hear how it sounded when I wrote it.

Click Here for Sheet Music and MP3 Download

God's Grace and Peace to you in Jesus Christ

David Dubay+

How to Call a Youth Minister (The E-Book)

2008-08-08T01:34:00.002-04:00

Thinking of calling a youth minister? Want to do it right? Maybe the Palmetto Pastor can help.

Click here.