rector

RECTOR'S MESSAGE

Faith & Works, Grace & Works: In today's lesson from James, he tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2.26). The question comes to whether this is in contrast to what Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans about salvation, if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. (Rm 11.6) How do we reconcile this seemingly difference concerning Salvation through Works and Salvation through Grace? Actually, it is not difficult at all. For, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Rm 10.13) And our response to God's Grace poured out on us (acceptance) is good works. Therefore, if we do not do acts of mercy (letting people know that they are loved by God, healing the sick, raising the dead, praying for those who persecute us, visiting those in prison, etc.) we really do not believe that God's Grace has been poured out on us. Will doing acts of mercy save us in and of themselves? No!! What James is saying is that our actions show forth what we believe. James will not let us have an ethereal relationship with God alone. The incarnation is always present. Our body is always a part of our spiritual journey, it is not separate. That is why James will say, Faith without Works is dead! Faith & Works, Grace & Works: same message, different venue.

What Did You Say? In our continued journey with James, we hear him telling us that our tongue is a very dangerous object. He tells us that is must come under control or otherwise it will destroy those that are in its hearing. Many times we will hear people say things that are very difficult to understand and so we ask them, What did you say? There are also those times when we heard very clearly what the person said and we ask them, What did you say? in order to have justification for our actions with either our tongue or worst. You may remember the old saying of, Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. I have my own saying concerning this remark. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can kill me. However, a kind word will give life to someone. Jesus reminds us that the tongue only speaks what resides in our heart. That is why it is so important to have our hearts and minds renewed by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. For it is only through the teaching of the Holy Spirit about Jesus that we can even begin to speak with an instructed tongue . Is 50.4

Fr. Joe

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FAMILY BACKGROUND

I was born on September 28, 1949 and grew up in the Low Country of South Carolina. I was in the Class of 71 at the Citadel. I married Christine Topp of Lake Charles, LA in June of 71. Tina was in the Class of 71 at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. We were married on June 18, 1971. We have 5 children, all girls. They range in age from 34 to 14. Our oldest daughter, Marie, is married to Paul Christopher Jones and they have two daughters, Sarah Catherine (9) and Avery (7). They live in Sumter, SC. The second oldest daughter is Kerry and she is married to Daniel John Berris, an Aussie, and they have two sons, Isaiah (8) and Ethan (5). They live in Albany Creek, Australia which is on the outskirts of Brisbane. Stacey (24) is with the All Tribes Ministry of Youth With A Mission in Carbrook, Australia and Ansley (22) is a senior at the University of South Carolina. Abney (15) is in the eighth grade at Episcopal.

THE CALL TO SERVE

I was called to serve God as a priest in His Church in February of 1974. I attended Sewanee for my seminary education and graduated in 1978. While in seminary, my call centered on being a sacramentalist and building up mission congregations to become parishes. Later, the call included encouraging the Church to a deeper understanding of ministry. Since 1989, my call has included equipping the Church for short-term missionary work in order to encourage and support the Church worldwide through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

EXPERIENCE

As a layman, I was a member of two small mission congregations. The first was attached to a military college, The Citadel in Charleston, SC and was comprised mostly of students. The other congregation was a small rural congregation in lower South Carolina. While I was at seminary, I was attached to a large suburban parish for my field work.
Since my ordination, I have served our Lord Jesus with 4 congregations: St. Christopher's in Sumter, S.C.; The Church of the Holy Spirit in Baton Rouge, LA.; in 1994, the Bishop asked me if I would be in charge of the pastoral oversight of the Church of the Ascension in Donaldsonville, LA and in 2002 I began to meet with some folks in the Covington, LA area to form what is now known as The Church of the Beloved.
I have found that it is important to be involved outside the congregation to keep some understanding of Vision and correction in the Church. Also, that it is vital to the life of a Church to be obedient to what the Lord asks of that Church.

DIRECTION

I see myself as an Evangelical-Charismatic-Catholic. Evangelical in that I believe it is important to proclaim that Jesus is Lord and to try to get people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Charismatic in that I believe that Jesus baptizes us with His Holy Spirit in order that we might bear witness of Him as we yield ourselves to His service. Catholic in that I believe that Jesus holds His Church together through the Holy Sacraments. Therefore, I like being involved with a church that wants 1) to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior, 2) to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the ministries that have been given to each member, and 3) to offer Jesus to His people through the sacraments