Pastor Dave
My name is Dave, DJ, Pastor Dave, PD, P Dave, P Diddy, or just honey (as long as you are female and happen to be named Ella and are married to me). Just don’t call me David. That’s reserved for my mom.
I live in Pittsburgh, PA, and have been Lead Pastor of the same congregation for 19 years. I have been privileged to share my life journey with the aforementioned Ella for over 25 years, and we have a bad-to-the-bone, black-belt-toting daughter, Carissa. Actually, they are both the sweetest people I know (OK, Carissa, you can let go of my arm, now…)
My house is filled with animals, at last count, 3 dogs, 2 chinchillas, 2 hamsters, and an assorted mix of flies and spiders who have not been invited to the party, but seem to like to crash it anyway. I love music: writing music, playing music, singing music, and listening to music. It is my prayer language, and my most intimate connection I have with God. I am currently lead singer and guitarist for Chocolate Sundae Jesus, the fourth band with which I have played. I also love to run, and am head boys & girls coach of a local high school track & field team.
I have been blessed to have had a life-long relationship with Jesus. I don’t have a great transformational testimony, so I have often felt inadequate next to those that do, until I realized that all of them wished that there had never been a need for such a radical transformation in their life.
I don’t claim to know much about God except this:
* God created the world and all that exists
* We were created for three purposes: Love God, Love each other, Care for God’s Creation
* We have done everything in our power to destroy every relationship God has given us
* God has done everything in His power to restore these relationships, speaking THE Word of reconciliation named Jesus.
I have a BA in Communication & Religion from Houghton College, NY; and, a Masters from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. I am a Christian because of God’s choosing of me; but, I am a Lutheran by my choice.
While I am often ashamed of the politics and non-biblical approach of my denomination, I believe that the world needs a Lutheran revival to remind the Church that it is by grace that we are saved, through faith, not of works. Many liberal and conservative Christians seem to put too many stumbling blocks of works-righteousness before those who would have a relationship with God. The Church has a fundamental lack of trust in the Holy Spirit: we want to change people to be like us BEFORE they come into our churches. Maybe we should recognize that we all fall short, and it is not our job to change people at all, just tell them that Jesus loves them, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Change takes a life-time. That is the message I plan to communicate in my opportunities to be with you. For more information, you may check out our church website at: www.TheRevolutionChurch.com.
