David M. Bibbee Pastor pastordavid@creeksideconnected.com

Pastor David Bibbee has served the Creekside Church of the Brethren since 1992. Previously he was pastor of the Crest Manor Church of the Brethren in South Bend, IN. from 1982-1992.

While pursuing a career in architecture in the early 1970's, his pastor and home congregation recognized his gifts and encouraged David to consider the call to pastoral ministry. David enrolled at Manchester College in North Manchester, IN, where he received a B.S. in Religion and Philosophy in 1977. In 1982 he received a Masters of Divinity Degree from Bethany Theological Seminary in Oak Brook, IL.

David's understanding of Christianity is governed by two basic insights. First, God came to us so we could come to him. The Bible is not the story of our search for God. Rather, it is God's search for us. God seeks. We are sought. God's goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23:6). Worship is our grateful response to the unconditional, eternal love that will not let us go. We experience God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in many ways. David believes that worship should reflect the breadth of this experience. Instead of dividing Sunday morning into traditional and contemporary services, he believes that generations should worship together and learn each other's music and styles of worship. Both the young and those new to Christianity should know why our hymns have stood the test of time. The older generations must understand that the Holy Spirit did not stop inspiring composers and musicians seventy-five years ago. Worship at Creekside reflects this variety. It is old and new. It is formal and informal. It is contemplative and celebrative. It is gospel and classical. It uses the organ, keyboard, and guitar. Hands are folded and hands clap.

Second, A church is not the church unless it radiates the warmth of Jesus' love. Each Sunday we "unlearn" what society says about relationships. We sit at the feet of Jesus and learn about loving others as he has loved us, and even loving our enemies. Followers of Jesus are new creations, not self-improvement projects. We need helping hands to lift us up. We need shoulders to lean on and cry on. We need people of wisdom and strength to walk with us. We need caring Christian companions who pray for us. David says the church should display a sign that a famous New York deli has above its door — "If you don't smell it, we don't have it." David and the caring community at Creekside are committed to spreading the scent of Jesus' love.

With apologies to Julie Andrews, these are a few of David's favorite things…

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