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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
| Current
reading list: |
Our
Endangered Values by Jimmy Carter
The Luminous Web by Barbara Brown Taylor
The Good Book by Peter Gomes
At the Grave of the Unknown Fisherman by John Gierach |
| Favorite
Scriptures: |
Psalm
139 - "O Lord, you have searched me and known me
"
and
Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus." |
| Favorite
Hymns: |
"When
Peace Like a River"
"What Child is This", and
"Be Unto Your Name" |
| Favorite
Music: |
Christian
-- Marty Haugen, Michael Card, Notre Dame Folk Choir
Bluegrass -- Belah Fleck, Allison Kraus, and Nickel Creek
Rock -- The Beatles, Yes, Eric Johnson, The Dave Matthews
Band |
| Favorite
Movies: |
The
Shawshank Redemption
O Brother Where Are Thou?
A River Runs Through It
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Monty Python's "Search for the Holy Grail (Greatest
movie ever made!) |
| Favorite
Pursuits: |
Fishing
(anywhere, anytime, any species), playing the guitar, spending
time with his Chocolate Lab, Libbee, cooking, collecting wildlife
art including the works of Robert Bateman, Terry Isaac, Ron
Parker, and local artist, Bruce Langton. |
| The
Perfect Day: |
Fishing
on a glorious spring day with my angling buddy and fellow pastor,
Dan Petry, on a remote Northwoods lake where the fish are on
a feeding frenzy. |
| The
Perfect Meal: |
Walleye-Clam-Crab-Shrimp
Chowder, deep-fried bluegills, fried potatoes and onions, "Cadillac"
Cole slaw, homemade crescent rolls, his Grandma Bibbee's Brown
Sugar Pie served ala' mode with two generous scoops of Ben and
Jerry's, "Everything But the
" ice cream. |
Staff
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