Pastor David Moerbe    The joy of following Christ is to be set free from the darkness that lies within.  Because once you have been set free then you can start truly living in grace!

         

Background

 Pastor Dave was born in North Carolina but grew up just outside of Austin, Texas (go Longhorns!).  His parents Don and Dot still live there as well as the majority of his extended family. He went to college at Concordia University in Austin Texas which is also the place where he met his wife Becky.  Pastor Dave's desire to become a pastor first began in college when he worked at a summer camp for youth "Camp Lone Star" It was there that he discovered the incredible power of God to change lives through the message of the Gospel.

Hobbies 

  Reading, watching movies, playing sports, eating, and hanging with friends.


Favorite Music/Bands

 Jars of Clay, DC Talk, Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, Todd Agnew, Kurt Franklin, and anything you can jam out to.

Favorite Books  
        

	Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller Donald Miller has become one of my favorite authors over the past year. In this book he captures the essence of being a follower of Christ without getting lost in religious jargon and lofty ideas. He speaks from the heart and his own personal experience. This book is perfect for anyone who is beginning to explore what lies at the heart of the Christian faith.
	Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels For the past 5 years I have grown to truly appreciate Bill's heart to see every church reach its full redemptive potential. In this book Bill shares his 30 years of experience of leading a local church and the leadership challenges he has faced. A great read for any pastor who wants to lead and lead well.
	Everybody is Normal Till by John Ortberg John Ortberg is an amazing writer who has the ability to be profound in a very simple way. None of us are normal according to God's definition, and the closer we get to each other, the plainer that becomes. Yet for all our quirks, sins, and jagged edges, we need each other. Community is more than just a word - it is one of our most fundamental requirements.  John shows us how community pays tremendous dividends in happiness, health, support, and growth. It's where all of us weird, unwieldy, people encounter God's love in tangible ways and discover the transforming power of being loved, accepted, and valued just the way we are.
	Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg The heart of Christianity is about transformation - about a God who isn't just concerned with our "spiritual lives," but who wants to impact every aspect of living. It's realizing that God meets us not in a monastery but on Main Street, and that all of ordinary, daily life has the potential to be lived as if Jesus himself were the one living it. Offering modern perspectives on the ancient path of the spiritual disciplines, The Life You've Always Wanted guides us on a journey beyond performance and externalism to a life marked by joy, peace, kindness, and all the signs of a faith that's vital and growing.
	Celebration of Disciplines by Richard Foster This book was along with John Ortberg's Life You've Always Wanted opened up my understanding of the ancient disciplines of the Christian faith. These disciplines include prayer, fasting, meditation, celebration, solitude, and simplicity. The practice of these disciplines has added a refreshing depth to my walk with Christ.
	Spiritual Leadership by Henry and Richard Blackaby  No matter if you are a pastor,businessman, coach, or teacher, Henry and Richard Blackaby offer biblically based principles that will equip you to lead in the 21st century. The key to spiritual leadership is learning to listen to the Spirit of God who provides inspired vision and focused direction for making Godly decisions.
	What's So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey When it comes to difficult issues, Yancey isn't afraid to ask hard questions and he doesn't give easy answers. In this book he takes you on a soul-searching pilgrimage into the meaning of grace. Combining poignant stories, personal examples, and biblical insight, he'll challenge your mind and heart with a liberating look at the driving force of our faith.
	Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning The Ragamuffin Gospel reminds us that Jesus did not come for the pretty, pious and powerful. Instead, he came for the "bedraggled, beat-up and burnt-out" ragamuffins who desperately need his grace. Brennan, a fellow ragamuffin, will help you receive God's freely given and wholly unmerited grace. After spending a few hours with The Ragamuffin Gospel, you will once again be amazed by God's unrelenting grace. This book was recommended by my friend Nathan who I will forever be indebted.
	The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey This is this first book that I read by Philip and I loved every minute of it. He takes a fresh look at Jesus' family, teachings, miracles, death and resurrection. I truly walked away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the radical nature of Christ.  Read this book along with the Four Gospels if you want grab hold of the Christ who changed the world.
	The Small Catechism by Martin Luther Every family needs a copy is this concise yet powerful summary of the Christian faith.  Luther wrote the small catechism as a tool for families to teach the six chief parts of the the Christian faith: The Ten Commandments, The Apostle's Creed, The Lord's Prayer, Baptism, The Lord's Supper, and Confession. This expanded edition includes an incredible amount of supplemental material to aid in the formation of one's faith.

Favorite Websites 

 Out of Ur -- A conversation for those concerned about the church
 The Oooze -- A journey for emergent Christians
 Monergism.com -- Theology at its best
 Burnside Writers Collective -- just a little something different 
 Concordia St. Louis -- Pastor Dave's Alma Matter 
 Jesus Creed -- online bog by Scott McKnight --professor and writer
 

Favorite Podcasts -- (found on iTunes)

  Catalyst Monthly -- leadership for next generation leaders
  Living on the Edge -- Pastor Chip Ingram of Walk thru the Bible 
  Imago Dei -- Pastor Rick Micknely's weekly sermons 
  Mosaic -- Pastor Erwin McManus and the awakening project
 

Pastor Dave's Writings and Sermons (coming at some point)