Dave’s 9/19/25 Monologue
Note on the transcript and audio from Jim:
The audio appears here in its original form, except for light denoising and volume adjustments to improve audibility, and blanked audio for redacted names. The transcript remains unchanged apart from time codes for navigation and cross-reference with the audio. Also, a small number of name redactions with headings added for ease of use.
Intro and Prayer
00:00:00,080--> 00:02:18,430 [Congregant(s)]
Father,
... and now. Holy Spirit, fill us again. And let your fruit be evident in all we do, in love, in kindness, in patience, in self-control. Caring more for others than about ourselves. Please give us good ears to hear you, and to hear one another. Amen.
All right, guys, so today is going to be a special day. Um, as some of you are aware, and some of you are ... may not be aware, um, in recent weeks, Dave has received accusations of misconduct from some members of the church body. Tonight, he will be addressing some of those concerns. My role is mediator to inform you of the expectations, as well as to keep the peace. So let's take this forward. Can I ask you just one question? Sorry to interrupt. But would you speak loudly for the people online in the back? Yeah. And the people back here.
[laughs]
Do I need to start over? And ... No, no, no, just going forward, I think. Yeah. Thank you.
Dave has met with five brothers of the faith this week to approach this, and for their ... per their guidance, he has prepared tonight's response. He will be giving his response in full without interruption. Sunday morning rules. Afterwards, we will adjourn in prayer, and break for the night. As you will hear him say, all are invited to discuss with him after the statement in person-to-person conversation. As we are all here to learn, heal, and grow, I encourage everyone to act respectfully, and represent yourselves as individual followers of Christ, as well as the church body. Could we move the Zoom laptop closer to you so that people on Zoom can hear you better? I'll say. I'm not IT.
[laughs]
Deferring to Matt. But you do have to whistle. I don't whistle. Hopefully more than whistles.
[door slams]
Thank you. Thanks,
Dave Monologue
00:02:18,430 --> 00:04:21,720 [Dave]
On August 28th, a website was published containing allegations of misconduct by me and my wife.
This has caused great confusion and division that has been separating brothers, and destroying the community of Christian love we fostered here for 20 years. Last Saturday, Kathy and I met with five brothers to discuss the charges presented against us on the website. This was not casual, or sweep it under the rug, but a four and a quarter hour meeting, asking direct questions and providing direct answers. I submitted to their feedback and guidance. The men identified four major accusations to confront, and told me to ignore the rest. The committee that created the website had spent months crafting their words without giving us sufficient time to respond. We asked for time to be able to produce a thoughtful answer, but they set a quick deadline. When I told them that I couldn't answer in time, they published the website, I believe for the purpose of our personal destruction and the destruction of our Friday Night House Church. Our counseling team told us to address the following issues: lack of oversight and accountability, question of financial impropriety, prophecies given, and sexual allegations. And if there's any other issue that concerns you, you are welcome to meet with us to discuss it. We will be happy to meet with whoever wants to talk to us.
Lack of Oversight and Accountability.
00:04:21,720 --> 00:08:27,728 [Dave]
1.
So area one, concerning lack of oversight and accountability.
One of the things the website called out was the peerless Papa Dave,
saying Dave had no peers or leaders who were his equal.
Well, that's true. How many 68-year-old men do you know who have served God all their lives? No, there has not been anybody with the same life experience, but that doesn't mean that there's not accountability. You don't have to be me, or older, or have more studies or anything else in order to hold one another accountable. They documented, "I've been praying for years for elders, but God hasn't sent anyone." So you might logically conclude, he must approve of the way we've been doing things. And true. I said that. And truly, I have prayed for additional elders, and I have worked to produce elders-in-training. Dave also asked for a specific list of our concerns and what we wanted changed. Yeah, we have listened to concerns, and we've made changes over the years. I asked Jessica what she wanted me to do, but she didn't give me any answers. She told me that people had been hurt at Friday night. Her example was a man who touched a woman inappropriately on a date.That's not about Friday Night or me. We don't preach that that's okay. Some things can happen as we have interactions with one another, and it's not all right.Jessica wrote a letter and complained to Scottsdale Bible Church about us. We met with the pastor of Small Groups, and he said, "I really couldn't understand what she wanted."
2.
So we are in agreement. But clearly, we are open to criticism and suggestions. But I confess that there have been times that I haven't listened well.I quickly thought of a defense instead of laying it aside and just listening to a person's hurt. And for that, I'm sorry. And I resolved to change that behavior. If I have hurt you in that way, please come and tell me and allow me to ask for your forgiveness. I want you all to join me in asking God to send us additional elders. That would be great. Do any of you have godly parents who qualify biblically as elders? Invite them. Bring them here. We will make a point as a Friday Night community of praying together for more elders.
3.
And our third point under accountability here is that we are forming a board
to be able to address complaints and to help me grow. And hopefully, you will all feel able to address anything you believe is wrong, with assistance, even something you see in this older man.
Area two.
Financial Impropriety
Back story and Jim’s article
00:08:27,728 --> 00:12:32,156 [Dave]
Concerning the question of financial impropriety. The website page is titled, The Unbought Word: A Biblical Case Against Transactional Prophecy. It says, "The moment money becomes the condition for revelation, when a gift or payment secures a word, the office collapses under a divided allegiance. Whenever revelation is sold, it is profaned. At the same time, Scripture draws a distinction. God does provide for those who labor in the Gospel. The faithful are called to sustain ministers of the word, but not to purchase the word itself. The difference is crucial. Legitimate support is relational and communal, designed to free the prophet or preacher for service. A prophet who accepts money to deliver a blessing subverts the whole system."
The entire article is excellent. It's well-written. It's full of scripture to be studied and followed. Two great articles. There were lots of references to, you know, articles at the end, and I didn't get to read them all, but I read a couple. They were great. Uh, number 22, what does it mean that those who preach the gospel should live by it? Number 28, does your pastor love God or money?
But this page's inclusion in this accusatory website is intended to imply that I am a prophet for hire and that I stand with those, who by their greed and misdeeds, are indicted by the word of God. I agree wholeheartedly with the teaching presented. I repudiate the implication and accusation against us. Now, I ask you to be the judge of what you have experienced from Dave and Kathy on Friday night. Have you ever been charged a fee for attending Friday Night or eating our food or drinking our drinks? How many times has an offering been taken as in most Sunday churches, passing a plate or shoe box around for people to give? Have you ever been charged a fee for obtaining a word from the Lord from Dave? Have you ever been charged a fee for obtaining advice from Dave or Kathy? Have you ever been charged a fee for receiving teaching or dozens of hours of counseling from Dave or Kathy? Have you ever heard that Dave charged anyone for performing a wedding, even though this is common among pastors?
Have you been pressured or coerced to contribute to Dave and Kathy or Friday Night? Have other missionaries been prohibited to speak to Friday Night and asked for financial support?
Because we still have folders up there from a few weeks ago when Aaron brought his friend, a missionary that we invited to share the whole evening. And I made the pitch for you to support them.How often has Dave told you how important it is for you to give him money?... if your answer to all of these questions is, "Never," then you need to repudiate this charge personally. But what about Jim's story?
00:12:32,156 --> 00:12:32,776 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
00:12:32,776 --> 00:14:06,446 [Dave]
If you have never, ever encountered anything like it, or never experienced any pressure to give to Dave and Kathy's ministries, why do you believe that we've treated Jim and Rebecca differently? Because we have not. But let me share some history with you.
My first career was in the computer business, even before IBM invented the first PC. In 1986, God pushed me to start my own business, which became wildly successful. In the first nine months, we went from a two-bedroom apartment where we had lived for four years, to a 2,700 square foot house on the greenbelt in McCormick Ranch, which became a ministry center and home for missionaries and college students. I loved that house. [laughs]
Steve's over there, nodding vigorously.
That's why I moved into that house. He was there at that time. I love this house so much, this two-bedroom apartment, right?
[laughs] God blessed us greatly financially through the business. In 1997, we were invited to join the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ in a ministry training pastors and ministry leaders worldwide. This would require leaving the business and its financial security, to go to our friends and family and ask them to support us. It took two years to gather our team of supporters. We closed the business, we did not sell it, and left the career that I had-
00:14:06,446 --> 00:14:06,446 [Congregant(s)]
Wow
00:14:06,446 --> 00:14:42,656 [Dave]
... studied for and become respected in. Like Cortez, we burned our ships in the harbor, no turning back. We took a substantial cut in pay, and Kathy was required to join me in full-time work. Over the years,there have been many times that we got short paychecks. This is what our friend and fellow minister, Terry Lavender, says, "There's good money to be made in ministry. Not much, but whatever you get is good."
00:14:42,656 --> 00:14:46,696 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
00:14:46,696 --> 00:19:22,338 [Dave]
We have trusted the Lord to supply our needs for the last almost 27 years. All by his moving and the hearts of our brothers and sisters who work hard and give a portion of their earnings to God by sending money to CRU. We are not permitted to work other jobs to earn money when our paychecks are short. Opening our home for Friday night and carrying the expenses of it, and all of our teaching preparation and counseling for individuals and couples, and performing weddings and making hospital visits is not part of our job description. We do not get paid to do any of that. It is entirely voluntary.
We have borne the expenses of increased utility bills and replacing flooring, and replacing furniture that endures weekly traffic. We need to again replace the dining room chairs that have been worn out, as some of you can attest right now that you're sitting in.
Friday night has never been a moneymaker. It costs us. But we have not shared these things with you for the last 20 years, so that all may come and receive the word of God freely. We are grateful for those who give to God to help meet our needs.
Jim and Rebecca
Jim's well-written article presents the strong biblical case for the support of God's workers. It is the foundation for the policies of Campus Crusade, CRU, the largest missions organization in the world, which requires all its staff to receive donations to support their families. We have donated thousands of hours of service to Jim and Rebecca over the last 19 years, starting even before Rebecca decided to follow Jesus. We have provided abundant spiritual counseling, relationship counseling, counseling for Jim's business, driving to their home in Gilbert always without charge. In 2018, Kathy needed a kidney transplant.
Rebecca was one of 20 who volunteered without being asked to donate her kidney, and Rebecca's was the right match. And she gladly donated her precious gift of life for which we shall always be grateful. Jim used his studio and masterful skills to produce a recording of my song, You Are, without charge. In 2023, the Lintons were making efforts to sell their house. They had already obtained money from other church members and now were asking us for money, always referencing fixing up the house, not for medical bills. We gave them the money they requested.When they asked for more money, I followed the financial policy I had learned at Scottsdale Bible Church. Have a financial counselor talk with them about their situation. But we also gave them the money they requested, every time. Two more times, we gave, now totaling almost $10,000. Our text thread shows us asking them if they needed more. July 6th, I asked, "How much do you need to stay afloat this month?" 11 days later, "If you need more cash to fix the air conditioning, let me know. No guilt, just getting the job done." The website seems to imply that we have been reluctant and not willing to share. But that's not what our texts show, and that's not our recollection at all.
00:19:22,338 --> 00:19:25,987 [Congregant(s)]
Hmm.
00:19:25,987 --> 00:25:49,620 [Dave]
On July 26th, Jim gets two dreams from God about giving. God told him, "I'm going to give you dreams tonight. Write them down." He woke up to find that God gave me a word to give to Jim about giving. We were in Orlando. We were there with our ministry, serving, and the Lord put this message [whistles] on my heart and wouldn't let me go to sleep until I had sent it to Jim. I had no idea that God had been talking to Jim at the identical time.
Jim texted, "Hey, buddy. Thank you. I just woke up from two dreams, but if God is trying to talk to you about my view on tithes, then thank you. I have often wondered about our situation." The 27th, my text, "It's almost 3:00 AM here in Orlando and I can't go back to sleep. God keeps giving me a message for you that I'm reluctant to give.
He loves you completely. He wants you to love Him completely.
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I then pasted Malachi 3:7-11 onto the text. The top part says that Israel has been robbing God and is under a curse, but the bottom part of the scripture says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house.' And test me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows, then I will rebuke the devourer for you."
Following that, Jim texts some more questions, but the Lord doesn't let me answer.
Three days later, Jim texts, "Hey, buddy. Don't answer those questions. The Lord answered them for me last night. I will share details the next time we can get together. Thank you for your obedience and service. Can't wait to share."
When the Lintons sold their house, they excitedly wanted to get together with us. They had elaborately prepared two scrolls with calligraphy. They presented the first along with a check that completely repaid all that we had given them. Then they presented the second scroll and explained that God had told them to give us a tithe of the house sale, $30,000.
A check was made out to me. We rejoiced at God's provision, but didn't deposit the check.
Two weeks later, Jim asked why we hadn't deposited the check, and I asked him to redirect it to the Church of Phoenix account so that he could get the tax deduction for giving to a church that he couldn't take for giving to an individual.
We were completely dismayed to learn recently that their view of the events had changed, and they were telling people that we had demanded the money. They didn't contact us to talk about it. We had reached out twice before we learned that there was a problem. They wouldn't get together to talk. We're perplexed and very sad.
So, this is Jim's vision 100%. Now I was wondering. Okay. Guess so. Also... Number three, concerning prophecies given.
Coin of the Realm
There are two prophecies highlighted in the website, the Coin of the Realm and the Belarus Prophecy.
One of them happened 10 years ago, the other happened 20 years ago.... 2013. The coin of the realm word was, "The coin of this realm will be damaged."
Many prophets around the world had received the same message.
I checked with the most reliable prophet I know, and she said that the Lord had been waking her up to pray, that she had felt an extreme urgency from the Lord. So, I sent out the word in our newsletter. I had never given such a public prophecy before. My action point: pray, listen, and do whatever the Lord tells you to do. In our next newsletter, in bold type appeared the heading, "How I, Dave, Erred." I confessed my error in the timing of the prophecy, confusing the urgency of the message with the timing of events. And I apologized.
The Belarus Prophecy
00:25:49,620 --> 00:27:31,760 [Dave]
The Belarus prophecy was a deeply personal experience, private, not public. As with the Coin of the Realm Prophecy, I erred in my interpretation. And amidst the situation, a brother brought me correction, and I received it. This is a common pitfall for those receiving prophecy. A prophet may feel strong feelings about the word he's received and attach them to the word. I have made this mistake more than once. If you hear a prophecy given, remember that the speaker is a fallible human being.
It is your responsibility to seek the Lord in prayer and in His Word to validate or invalidate the message, and to determine what the Lord wants you to do. 1 Corinthians 14:29. Remember that just because a person is a prophet does not mean that everything he says is a word from God! Sometimes, the prophecy is given to you directly, not to the prophet. This is the case with Jim in the previous section, and Quinn.
Quinn and [Redacted]
00:27:31,760 --> 00:30:42,252 [Dave]
In Quinn's testimony, he says,
"On May 15th, 2023, Dave didn't come out and say the words, 'God is telling me you are supposed to marry [Redacted].'" No, I didn't [laughs]. At the end of the meeting that night, I gave Quinn a word from the Lord. I said,
"Quinn, the Lord really loves you, and that's not from me."
That was a word I was hearing from the Lord to give to Quinn, to encourage him about God's love. Later that night, Miles texted, "By the way, my confirmation is that you should pray and ask the Lord.
And whatever He says, lean not on your own understanding, feelings. Trust and obey." We had encouraged Quinn to pray and ask God. The next week at our leadership meeting, Quinn reported that he had prayed and heard from the Lord that he was supposed to marry [Redacted]. On their website, Quinn writes,
"When I told [Redacted]..." He uses an, a pseudonym, but everybody knows, he's, he's talking about [Redacted]. I'm just talking straight. "When I told [Redacted] everything several days later, she was completely shocked, but she also thought she heard a confirmation." June 16th, that Friday night, when we were studying Hebrews 11 and discussing faith, Quinn and [Redacted] told the whole group, "God told me to marry [Redacted], and God told me to marry Quinn." On October 27th, Quinn writes on the website, "I contacted another prophet.
At the end of the night, we prayed, and he believed he received a confirmation." In both the November meetings we had with him, Quinn was strongly encouraged to postpone the wedding if he had the slightest doubt about it. Multiple people encouraged him to postpone the wedding, and he said that he wanted to go ahead with it. Lots of other stuff he wrote, but essentially, if you read what he himself wrote on the website, he says repeatedly, "God told him."It was not that I told him. We encouraged him to pray. We encouraged him to consider pursuing [Redacted] if he wanted to get married. That's what our first conversation was about.... but we never told him, "God's telling you to marry [Redacted]."
00:30:42,252 --> 00:31:24,792 [Kathy]
I want to underline that one, the last premarital counseling session. We were so awkward and pushy about it. [laughs] When are you sure? Do you want to? Should we cancel? Should we postpone? Are you positive? Not, "Are you positive?" He's positive.
It was to the point that I was squirming, it was so awkward. And he was adamant. So we are just heartbroken for them, and we have been praying for them ever since. But we just feel like this retaliation is so inappropriate.
Sexual Allegations
00:31:24,792 --> 00:31:44,352 [Dave]
Section four, concern- concerning sexual allegations. On the summary page of the website, it says that Dave made an inappropriate sexually charged comment to Cara.
00:31:44,352 --> 00:31:45,992 [Kathy]
[coughs, laughs]
00:31:45,992 --> 00:36:18,292 [Dave]
This is detailed in Cara's testimony. She said, "Dave said, 'Your legs look good in shorts.'" True. I said that. I did not in any way consider that a sexually charged comment. I like complimenting people, male and female. And it was a characteristic of the times I grew up in, and still see it as a positive thing to give people compliments.
But we won't do it anymore. [laughs] Cara and I had a special relationship.
She had prayed that God would give her a father. She actually was sitting in the counseling office at Scottsdale Bible Church, and I had an appointment. I never ran through that building, but here was this thing. And on that day, I came by and she had been saying, "What I want..." I mean, I know the church will say, "Oh, I can give you a mentor woman," or something else. She says, "God, what I really need is a dad." So she approached me
to be able to take on that role. I became a surrogate father for her.
She didn't call me Papa. She called me Dad. So on that occasion, that night, it was the first time I saw her wearing shorts. I gave her a compliment, but she reacted strongly. So you may judge whether my words were sexually charged. The website says, "He said to her that he wished the church allowed polygamy], so that he could have both her and Kathy as his wives." Absolutely false. Somehow, over time, this is what came, thoughts combined in her mind or whatever. I have taught... Well, yeah, I have taught, the Bible does not say that polygamy is a sin. That is true.
Many fathers of the faith had multiple wives and concubines. The nation of Israel was birthed by Jacob and four women at the same time. But the New Testament says that each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. That was radical teaching at that time. Women were so often considered as possessions. And Christianity elevated their position and said she was entitled to have her own husband, not to share him with other women. In 1 Timothy 3, one of the qualifications, one of the first qualifications for an elder in the church is that he be a one-woman man. That's the literal Greek. But this statement that was placed on the website about a desire to have her and Kathy as wives is absolutely false. I've never had the desire to have multiple wives. I was not attracted to her, nor was she to me. We operated as father and daughter. So I don't know where this accusation came from after all these years, but I unequivocally deny it.
I have been a faithfully committed husband to Kathy for 44 years next month. Our marriage has been an example to a multitude of others. And this attack seeks to destroy the influence of our marriage.
00:36:18,292 --> 00:36:24,132 [Kathy]
Yes.
00:36:24,132 --> 00:37:25,584 [Dave]
I have never had any sexual misconduct with anyone. No one can say otherwise.... however,
I have been told that sometimes my hugs make people feel uncomfortable, even those who are just looking on from across the room. And this makes me sad.
Physical touch is my love
[camcorder rattles]
language. It is recognized throughout Christianity as a legitimate love language. And I have been told so many times over the last 50 years that I have the spiritual gift of hugs.
00:37:25,584 --> 00:37:25,764 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
00:37:25,764 --> 00:37:57,944 [Dave]
[mic rattles] But in light [sighs] of the possible appearance of impropriety,
I have adopted a new policy. I will only hug a woman if she herself requests it.
I will not initiate.
00:37:57,944 --> 00:38:08,444 [Kathy]
I- I want to speak up on this one. I want to defend, Dave loves and hugs men and women. My son said to me, "Mom, I want real hugs from you like dad gives you."
00:38:08,444 --> 00:38:10,183 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
00:38:10,183 --> 00:38:11,554 [Kathy]
None of this side crap.
00:38:11,554 --> 00:38:12,973 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
00:38:12,973 --> 00:38:44,104 [Kathy]
And that to me is just showing it, that's Dave's heart to men and women for 50 years. But we've talked about it, and on the chance that one out of a 100 is being healed in some way or misinterprets or Dave goes over our line, we're just not going to do it. So, um, that's a heartbreak because we think that has been a ministry to some, but apparently not to all. So...
Help us [unintelligible]
00:38:44,584 --> 00:38:54,734 [Dave]
So I invite my sisters, if you want a hug, please come. I do not love you any less today-
00:38:54,734 --> 00:38:54,734 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
00:38:54,734 --> 00:38:56,984 [Dave]
... than I did yesterday.
00:38:56,984 --> 00:38:59,243 [Kathy]
Oh.
00:38:59,304 --> 00:39:09,584 [Dave]
And as always, I will seek to be extremely conscious of how you [camcorder squeaks] hug me. If you want to give me an A-frame, that's where I'm staying.
00:39:13,504 --> 00:39:14,584 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
00:39:14,584 --> 00:39:20,084 [Dave]
If you want to give me a side, I'll give you a side. To whatever extent you desire, a holy hug, that's what I want to give you. But yes, I forget, but it's been a habit for 50 years.
So if I forget, please remind me.
But I also am going to make this a policy for all men at Friday night. That for all the brothers, if a sister approaches you and wants a hug, be sensitive and give her the proper godly hug.
But you are not to initiate hugging his sister. [hand swishes] One other thing I often do,
sometimes do, with hugs, is I have given what I believe the Bible refers to as a holy kiss.
It may be on the cheek or on the forehead or on the top of the head. I will choose to refrain from giving a kiss unless a sister asks for it, which I don't expect.
00:41:11,004 --> 00:41:13,703 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
00:41:13,703 --> 00:41:21,604 [Dave]
On the first page of the website...
[clears throat] Actually, before I go there, Gary reminded me of something at dinner... We have been ministering to young adults for 35 years. And most of those came to us as singles.
And many have asked questions, that are uncomfortable. And in particular, questions about masturbation. I have said, just like the polygamy issue, I look in the Bible, and while the Bible speaks about a lot of matters of sexual sin-There is no word at all about masturbation.
00:42:53,228 --> 00:42:53,828 [Congregant(s)]
[clattering]
00:42:53,828 --> 00:43:01,808 [Dave]
And I believe that silence shouts. I believe that Satan has brought great guilt and condemnation on men and women, first tempting them to do it, and then condemning them after they do it. I have desired to take away Satan's tool of guilt and condemnation... by simply teaching that, no, the Bible does not say that masturbation is a sin.
However, there are lots of other sins that can be committed in minds and hearts, which may happen at the same time. I do not have a teaching from the word of God, so I choose to remain silent. But to encourage you all, as in Romans 14, for you to come before the Lord and whatever is not from faith is sin. Exercise your conscience.
The Lord speaks to you and wants you to change some habits in your life, listen to Him. It is for your freedom. It is for your joy.
Spiritual Abuse
00:44:53,388 --> 00:52:02,188 [Dave]
On the first page of the website, the word "abuse" appears 10 times. This is a very serious charge. The essays page includes an article titled, "What is Spiritual Abuse?" So using the website's own standard, I ask you to test whether spiritual abuse is occurring at Friday night. The What is Spiritual Abuse page opens, "In its simplest definition, spiritual abuse occurs when one person attempts to control another person in a spiritual context, causing them harm." The article contains a spiritual abuse assessment, listing six characteristics of control identifying spiritual abuse. So as I read them right from the website, please ask yourself, "Is this an accurate description of me or of Friday Night?"
Abuse Characteristics
Number one:
I was not permitted to make my own decisions without approval.
Two:
My behavior was constantly being monitored.
Three:
I was not free to decline participation in an activity without fear of negative consequences.
Four:
Obedience to the individual or group was required to avoid negative consequences.
Five: I was not permitted
to question the teachings of the individual or group without fear of retaliation.
Six: I was isolated from others outside the spiritual community or relationship.
This is the criteria the website provides for evaluation of spiritual abuse.
Is this what you have experienced at Friday Night?
Has official approval ever been required for any activity? To organize socials, to start your own Bible study, to do discipleship, to do anything, have you ever been required to get approval?
Two: Is your behavior constantly being monitored?Three.
When were you not free to decline participation in an activity?
Have we ever had mandatory activities?
Four. Has obedience to Dave been demanded?
Five. Has Dave threatened you because you believe something different than Dave
has?
Six.
Threatened by what? How many of you attend a church besides Friday Night? Has that ever been criticized? Have you ever been told not to go to any other church or group? She quotes Michael Kruger, author of Bully Pulpit. "Spiritual abuse is when a spiritual leader such as a pastor, elder, or head of a Christian organization wields his position of spiritual authority in such a way that he manipulates, domineers, bullies, and intimidates those under him as a means of maintaining his own power and control."
So, according to the website, is spiritual abuse a legitimate charge against Dave ...
There are numerous other charges on the website, including the use of big dead rock as a pride item, as if I am the only person who is supposed to be a big dead rock reflecting God's glory. Instead of the teaching which you have clearly heard multiple times that that is how we all are to be glorifying God. Teaching about edification appointments. That is said in the website to be, oh, a language of a cult, because we have our own terminology, rather than simply teaching that says, "Hey, when you go out on a date, build the other person up. Don't go out hunting for your partner."
Uh, Z, Z, uh, as-
00:52:02,188 --> 00:52:02,228 [Congregant(s)]
Please- please don't.
[laughs]
00:52:02,228 --> 00:52:02,248 [Dave]
Many times-
00:52:02,248 --> 00:52:03,778 [Congregant(s)]
Whatever you're going to say, please don't
00:52:03,778 --> 00:52:09,368 [Dave]
... called Friday Night a spiritual dojo.
00:52:09,368 --> 00:52:18,628 [Congregant(s)]
He doesn't even listen to me. If I say, "Please don't," he just goes right ahead. Okay. Go ahead.
00:52:18,628 --> 00:52:20,788 [Dave]
I thought you would think that I was going to say something else?
00:52:20,788 --> 00:52:24,268 [Congregant(s)]
No. I was just wanting this to be about... Yeah. Just the-
00:52:24,268 --> 00:54:04,388 [Dave]
I am saying there are so many things that go on here
that have all been brought out as accusations that we are a cult, or that we are practicing spiritual abuse, or that there is sexual impropriety or financial impropriety. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I hope I've laid out a clear enough case. The authors of the web have piled on to create the illusion of abuse simply by the sheer volume of the website.
But you get to choose whether the charges are valid or not. If you are concerned about your safety at Friday Night, please leave and go to another church where you feel safe. There are no recriminations for those who leave. For 20 years, people have come and left Friday Night freely. If you are not concerned for your safety, and you are willing to help us rebuild the community of love and trust we have enjoyed, thank you for staying and for being a minister to all.
00:54:04,388 --> 00:54:07,408 [Dave]
Uh,
00:54:07,408 --> 00:54:12,528 [Congregant(s)]
Dave, uh, would you be willing to publish the various, uh, message chains that you were reading from in your response?
00:54:18,148 --> 00:54:19,418 [Dave]
Oh, yeah.
00:54:19,418 --> 00:54:19,628 [Congregant(s)]
Okay.
00:54:19,688 --> 00:56:10,872 [Dave]
Part of the question I have had... All of these charges were just published without me being able to speak to any of them. They have been spread around the world. We have gotten all sorts of calls and emails from people across the country, who no longer even live in Arizona, saying that they were contacted, seeking to get-... whatever kinds of negative comments could be gathered. I got an email last week from a pastor in Zimbabwe, who said Quinn had contacted him, seeking malicious damage. When we talk about publishing an answer, or this, I honestly do not know what I can publish that shows the answers to the website. I have not been invited to be able to answer the website. Do we create another one? I- I honestly don't know. I can send out something on the Friday night email, but this has gone so far beyond our current email list. Uh, so-
Q&A
00:56:10,872 --> 00:56:23,752 [Congregant(s)]
Well, I would request and encourage, i- if you would send me, personally, uh, screenshots or logs of things you quoted and referenced, and then I can facilitate that. Um-
00:56:23,752 --> 00:56:25,172 [Dave]
Facilitate it how?
00:56:25,172 --> 00:56:31,712 [Congregant(s)]
Facilitate it being, you know, dispersed or rel- released in a manner that could be accessible to anyone that viewed it or-
00:56:31,712 --> 00:56:31,902 [Kathy]
I'm seeing-
00:56:31,902 --> 00:56:32,672 [Congregant(s)]
... requests to see it.
00:56:32,672 --> 00:56:35,562 [Kathy]
I'm seeing shaking heads over here. So maybe-
00:56:35,562 --> 00:56:46,432 [Congregant(s)]
I think part of the problem is you, you get people in the room that have known you for a very long time, Dave, a very, very long time, and then we don't, we don't understand like where
00:56:46,432 --> 00:56:46,592 [Congregant(s)]
or why or-
00:56:46,592 --> 00:56:49,622 [Congregant(s)]
Yeah, so the reason I'm saying this is because-
00:56:49,622 --> 00:56:49,702 [Congregant(s)]
... like, you've done that
00:56:49,702 --> 00:57:03,991 [Congregant(s)]
... in your response, you did cite other people's wording as well. Uh, I understand that these were also previously cited things from the website, things, whatever. But considering you did cite them with times and dates providing that-
00:57:03,991 --> 00:57:13,991 [Dave]
Yes, so the only citations that I provided that were not off of the website itself were from text threads that I had with Jim Linton.
00:57:13,991 --> 00:57:15,672 [Congregant(s)]
Okay.
00:57:15,672 --> 00:57:19,891 [Dave]
The text thread I have with Jim is about a mile long.
00:57:19,892 --> 00:57:20,732 [Congregant(s)]
Right.
00:57:20,732 --> 00:57:36,051 [Dave]
Um, to even go back to the comments that we had had with, that night when God was telling me to tell him something at the same time God was telling him, um, goes it, it took me a good 12 minutes to find it, to have to scroll back in the things. We have had, I said, truly thousands of hours of involvement and investment in the Lintons, and we love them. And it's real hurtful that there has been this break. We don't understand it.
00:58:01,152 --> 00:58:02,112 [Kathy]
[unintelligible]
00:58:02,112 --> 00:58:16,872 [Dave]
Um, so if you want to take a look and see those things that I quoted, they're all right there, and I will be happy to show that to you if you wanna stand as the witness to anybody else who asks, "Oh, yes, that's what I saw."
00:58:16,872 --> 00:58:24,132 [Congregant(s)]
Okay. I'm willing to do so. And not for my, my personal sake, but just as a verification, if you will.
00:58:24,132 --> 00:58:30,112 [Congregant(s)]
But not publishing them means that everybody has to individually come ask you for everything.
00:58:30,112 --> 00:58:31,612 [Congregant(s)]
I would also recommend that.
00:58:31,612 --> 00:58:34,732 [Congregant(s)]
Well, we're not publishing it. It's pretty straightforward. It's a- it's a private conversation. Yeah, but it's gonna be-
00:58:34,732 --> 00:58:36,412 [Congregant(s)]
Yeah, well, it's not really private anymore.
00:58:36,412 --> 00:58:39,011[Congregant(s)]
Yeah. If it's, if it's very cut and dry, it shouldn't
00:58:39,011 --> 00:58:41,192[Congregant(s)]
... he's answered the accusation.
00:58:41,192 --> 00:58:43,312 [Congregant(s)]
The accusation made it public.
00:58:43,312 --> 00:58:43,332 [Kathy]
Mm-hmm.
00:58:43,332 --> 00:58:44,812 [Congregant(s)]
He's answered it.
00:58:44,812 --> 00:58:58,671 [Congregant(s)]
I, I think that if you're... don't want to make a open, public publishing of it, I would recommend that any individual that does want it, you should provide it to the individual, if that's more comfortable.
00:58:58,672 --> 00:58:59,732 [Dave]
Happy to. I'll show it to you.
00:58:59,732 --> 00:58:59,882 [Congregant(s)]
But-
00:58:59,882 --> 00:59:07,412 [Dave]
But here's the thing, folks.
00:59:07,412 --> 00:59:15,832 [Dave]
This has been excruciatingly painful for us.
00:59:15,832 --> 01:00:03,852 [Kathy]
50 years of what we have built, 44 years of the good marriage, the good family that we have developed... I, I have grieved for my sons and my grandchildren this week, to have the 50-year reputation of their patriarch trashed, you know? Charge upon charge upon charge upon charge. What is... He, he has influenced hundreds of pastors in Zimbabwe, and there is good fruit upon good fruit. And the pastors haven't even contact him. He hasn't been in contact with them in nine years. And he says, "What is this malicious piece of libel that has been sent to me?" So, you know, this is heartbreaking.
01:00:03,852 --> 01:01:43,259 [Dave]
I have not... Let me put it a different way. I have desired not to engage in a back and forth salvo. You say, we say, do all this. It's, it's unproductive. One of the things that has been a great sorrow on my heart for the last few weeks is that this has robbed praise from Jesus Christ. That taking time to be talking about me is taking away from the time [cries] that we should be growing in the word of God and blessing one another in love, but there has been chaos. There's been confusion. There have been people accusing each other, friendships broken up, chaos not only at Friday night, but it's Saturday night as well.... this is not the work of God. I have come after obtaining the counsel of people that I am going to continue to seek. [laughs] I will have accountability, and I pray God will send more elders. [sighs] I think Kyle wanted to say something about people caught in the middle.
01:01:43,259 --> 01:01:46,420 [Congregant(s)]
Okay, yes.
01:01:46,420 --> 01:01:47,450 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:01:47,450 --> 01:01:47,640 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:01:47,640 --> 01:01:48,080 [Congregant(s)]
Um-
01:01:48,080 --> 01:01:49,230 [Congregant(s)]
Got you.
01:01:49,230 --> 01:01:51,399 [Congregant(s)]
Still caught in the middle.
01:01:51,460 --> 01:01:52,540 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:01:52,540 --> 01:02:00,220 [Congregant(s)]
Yes, as my secondary... what you said earlier.
01:02:00,220 --> 01:02:00,240 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:02:00,240 --> 01:02:03,339 [Congregant(s)]
Brad and I were joking around about if it gets out of hand-
01:02:03,339 --> 01:02:04,279 [Congregant(s)]
You guys talk louder
01:02:04,279 --> 01:02:04,480 [Congregant(s)]
... it gets like, a little bit-
01:02:04,480 --> 01:02:07,549 [Congregant(s)]
Kyle. He doesn't want everyone to hear that. [laughs]
01:02:07,549 --> 01:02:07,549 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:02:07,549 --> 01:02:09,339 [Congregant(s)]
No, I don't remember what I was gonna say. Um-
01:02:09,339 --> 01:02:13,200 [Congregant(s)]
You're all invited to look at the website.
01:02:13,200 --> 01:06:50,439 [Congregant(s)]
Yeah. So this is, um, kind of a sidebar topic, right? [clears throat] Uh, there are a lot of people at Saturday, um, who I met Dave once or six years ago, right? And we talked all about this about three weeks ago. Um, some of you guys may have the recording. Um, don't know like the backstories or whatever. And the only thing they know about Dave is, really, is kind of what they read on the website. And what, where, where my heart is at right now is, okay, that's fine, it's this piece of information, like a news story on Donald Trump, right? And everyone can kind of go figure it all out. But I am seeing, um... I can see a lot of friendships that I've had over the last two years, people I love, just tearing each other apart. Like, I, I, my, my, my joke, so I don't cry about it, is, it's [laughs] it's woke versus MAGA, you know? [laughs] You guys have heard me say this, right? Deep state versus the patriarchy, whatever you want to call it. And again, I'm gonna, I'm gonna sidebar everything here. It's just, I want to encourage all of you. I asked this on Saturday two weeks ago. Is it possible for members in the body of Christ to completely disagree on an issue, woke versus MAGA, right? Those, those evil six day creationists versus the theistic evolutionists or whatever, right, to disagree on even something like this and still love each other and serve each other and be in the body of Christ together, right? I have, um, I, I know a lot of these backstories, like Cam was in diapers when, uh, some of these stories happened, right? [laughs] We've seen it a long time. And Dave and I have been meeting and I have on purpose, um, I kept my mouth shut, and I will continue to do so, um, on, on all the issues, right? W- what... And you guys can talk to me personally. If you want, please give me a call. I know there's been a lot of things happening on like the, the group chats and a bunch of people get together and talk about stuff and I'm like, "Yeah, what did that person say when they called me? Oh, wait, they didn't." Right? And, and just, we just go and go and go. And I think that, um, Satan is having a heyday over division. And I was joking with the Lord, and I'm like, "Okay, is this payback for me?" Because I caused one of these when I was like 26 at Arizona Community Church. You can call Bill Meier, he can tell you the whole story. It was awesome. [laughs] Um, but I just want to... I love you all. I want my friends back. [crying] And I'm so sorry that this is dividing us. I've told everyone last, two Saturdays ago, you know, there's... W- we'll call it the, the, the Dave side and the website side, right? There's some people kind of just entrenched on both, and there's a whole bunch of people that are just going to make their own decisions and, and be stuck in the middle. Like, we okay with that? Can, can we love each other kind of no matter where everybody lands? And I, I, I want to see what the answer is because I don't know. Um, so that's just my, my plea with you. Right? So I, I, I do just want to commit. And if I, if I screw this up somehow because I got home at 2:30 in the morning and, you know, said or done something dumb or whatever, please call me out on it. But I just, I want to commit to everybody here, I'm not going to go after you for your view on this. Right? I'm, I've been Dave's friend for 17 years. I'm gonna continue to be his friend. We're gonna, we're meeting together, right? But I'm also your friend. Um, so I guess my prayer would be can we not get seen as that anyway. So I didn't plan to say all that. I had a sentence, but there you go. So it's just my heart.
01:06:50,439 --> 01:07:02,060 [Congregant(s)]
I have two things really quick. The first one, I feel very awkward that you went ahead and said something about what Zee said when he asked you not to, just a couple minutes ago. Could you apologize for doing that?
01:07:02,060 --> 01:07:02,080 [Dave ]
Yes.
01:07:02,080 --> 01:07:02,399 [Congregant(s)]
Thank you.
01:07:02,399 --> 01:07:11,339 [Dave]
I am sorry. Please forgive me. I thought you were thinking something else. And I thought it was a totally innocent thing, and I was wrong. Please forgive me.
01:07:12,308 --> 01:07:12,528 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:07:12,528 --> 01:07:22,048 [Congregant(s)]
Uh, I will say, I love my brother Tyler but, but... and I love you, but I didn't necessarily feel that you needed to apologize. But I know Tyler's heart-
01:07:22,108 --> 01:07:22,268 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:07:22,268 --> 01:07:31,608 [Congregant(s)]
I know who this man is. And I know that... You know, I think if everyone can just have the freedom, kind of playing off of Kyle's point-
01:07:31,608 --> 01:07:32,178 [Congregant(s)]
Mm-hmm
01:07:32,178 --> 01:07:36,748 [Congregant(s)]
... if we all can just have the freedom to be who we truly are.
01:07:36,748 --> 01:07:41,288 [Congregant(s)]
Our identity, and to be accepted for who we are, because I think that's also been under attack-
01:07:41,288 --> 01:07:41,428 [Congregant(s)]
Mm-hmm
01:07:41,428 --> 01:08:08,348 [Congregant(s)]
... in a certain way, and it- and it makes it very difficult, uh, to be who you are. And so, um, I just ask that we would show... If you don't really know someone that well, get to know them well, and show them grace and accept them. We're all fallible. Um, I'm not dismissing anything that has happened, but- but don't make this to where someone can't be who they are, because that's happening too.
01:08:08,348 --> 01:08:08,388 [Congregant(s)]
Yes.
01:08:08,388 --> 01:08:42,248 [Congregant(s)]
And, uh, obviously a tenet of Christian faith is acceptance. To be fully known and fully loved. And so [smacks lips] I extend that grace to Tyler, and, uh, I extend that grace to everyone in the room. I- I- I love you as you are, and I hope that you would love me as I am, and that we'd understand that, um... well, we all are fallible and make mistakes. And that's not to say we're going to dismiss those things and that that's okay. But yeah, so thank you, Tyler. Thank you, Dave.
01:08:42,248 --> 01:08:43,508 [Congregant(s)]
Second point. Um-
01:08:43,508 --> 01:08:49,788 [Congregant(s)]
Uh, so they did express in the beginning that he does not want to have open discussion over this.
01:08:49,788 --> 01:08:49,908 [Congregant(s)]
Um,
01:08:49,908 --> 01:08:50,127 [Congregant(s)]
Okay
01:08:50,127 --> 01:08:50,667 [Congregant(s)]
So, if you want to
01:08:50,667 --> 01:08:50,948 [Congregant(s)]
... go ahead and try
01:08:50,948 --> 01:08:52,848 [Congregant(s)]
He's okay though, if Dave just said-
01:08:52,848 --> 01:09:15,667 [Congregant(s)]
If we... if we, um, are trying to silence gossip and hearsay, I still think that the best direct way to do that is to publish the receipts, because that's going to be the primary source. And without the primary source being online, the primary source is physically right here, there are much fewer people who can access the primary source.
01:09:15,667 --> 01:09:15,917 [Congregant(s)]
Yeah.
01:09:15,917 --> 01:09:17,548 [Congregant(s)]
And that's not good for the truth.
01:09:17,548 --> 01:09:21,188 [Congregant(s)]
No.
01:09:21,188 --> 01:09:27,127 [Congregant(s)]
Okay, so help me out. Do we want to... do we want to get together to talk about
01:09:27,127 --> 01:09:29,888 [Congregant(s)]
how to... how to do that? I don't know if we can decide it here.
01:09:29,888 --> 01:09:31,468 [Dave]
Let that be another meeting.
01:09:31,468 --> 01:09:31,667 [Congregant(s)]
But, yes.
01:09:31,667 --> 01:09:33,348 [Dave]
I think that's appropriate.
01:09:33,348 --> 01:09:37,587 [Congregant(s)]
Uh, and I'll say yes, and who else?
01:09:37,587 --> 01:09:39,788 [Congregant(s)]
Yeah. Uh-
01:09:39,788 --> 01:09:43,798 [Congregant(s)]
Is that okay? I don't mean to be... j-... I'm... I'm the one
01:09:43,798 --> 01:09:45,328 [Congregant(s)]
I feel very strongly that should happen.
01:09:45,328 --> 01:09:52,728 [Congregant(s)]
Yeah. Okay. Me too. Yeah, me too.
01:09:52,728 --> 01:10:34,988 [Dave]
Their committee spent several months putting together all their items. They asked me first in a letter that I received, they said, "Over the week, but actually, Kath and I were about to be going out of town, and then I had a family funeral to go to, and essentially what it worked down to was I had four days." And I reply... I responded, I said, "I can't do it in that time, please give more time." And he said, "Well, no, you haven't responded, so now your rebuke will be public."
01:10:34,988 --> 01:10:40,428 [Congregant(s)]
Can I ask a clarifying question on that? Did they... they did not give you any extra time at all?
01:10:40,428 --> 01:10:48,048 [Dave]
So there was one week which was right in the middle of our vacation time, and so he said-
01:10:48,048 --> 01:10:48,658 [Congregant(s)]
It's not every week
01:10:48,658 --> 01:10:51,308 [Dave]
... "Oh, I'll give you another week."
01:10:51,308 --> 01:10:53,108 [Congregant(s)]
So they gave you an extra... extra time?
01:10:53,108 --> 01:11:48,638 [Dave] So they gave me extra time, which essentially worked down to four days. So they had their... they had no idea what my calendar looked like. Oh, by the way, I've got a job, I've got other things going on at the same time, and the sense was, "Oh... oh yeah, we'll... we'll be really gracious." I mean, when... when is it valid even to put a deadline on somebody to give a response for something like that? Can I say, "Okay, I'm working on the answer. Please give me more time"? I did give up one of my vacation days working seven hours to start going through this thing, and it's so huge. And I decided because I had neglected my family for that whole day, that I wasn't going to give up any more of our vacation days. But essentially it worked to... I had four days when they had been working... months-
01:11:48,638 --> 01:11:49,798 [Congregant(s)]
Months and month
01:11:49,798 --> 01:11:50,528 [Dave]
... and months.
01:11:50,528 --> 01:11:53,888 [Dave]
Yep. Um,
01:11:53,888 --> 01:11:56,568 [Congregant(s)]
did... did you start a response at all?
01:11:56,568 --> 01:11:57,228 [Dave]
Okay.
01:11:57,228 --> 01:12:04,728 [Congregant(s)]
Cam... Cam, he addressed all of this stuff last week and... but tonight, he was just gonna give his response.
01:12:04,728 --> 01:12:05,708 [Congregant(s)]
Okay. I just wanted to know-
01:12:05,708 --> 01:12:06,818 [Congregant(s)]
That was the rule that we wanted to do.
01:12:06,818 --> 01:12:08,868 [Congregant(s)]
If he did... if he did... if he did... He did? Okay, cool. So you
01:12:08,868 --> 01:12:14,068 [Congregant(s)]
In fairness to you, Cam, you came in a little bit later, I don't know if you were listening online or...
01:12:14,068 --> 01:12:14,748 [Congregant(s)]
No, I didn't get it.
01:12:14,748 --> 01:12:16,148 [Congregant(s)]
But when we went over the stuff-
01:12:16,148 --> 01:12:16,158 [Congregant(s)]
Okay
01:12:16,158 --> 01:12:17,148 [Congregant(s)]
... you weren't in the room.
01:12:17,148 --> 01:12:19,688 [Congregant(s)]
Sorry. Thank you for the energy.
01:12:19,688 --> 01:12:20,168 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:12:20,168 --> 01:12:21,028 [Kathy]
Thank you, Cam.
01:12:21,028 --> 01:12:21,348 [Congregant(s)]
Love you guys.
01:12:21,348 --> 01:12:37,608 [Dave]
Thanks for being here, Cam. There are those who said, "Oh, well, Dave's gonna dodge, he's gonna deflect, he's not going to receive everything." I hope you've heard something very different. I have received correction multiple times.
01:12:37,608 --> 01:12:59,888 [Kathy]
And we have more to receive because it's worth it. You know, there's one accusation in there about marriage counseling we gave 15 years ago. The guy says we gave something harmful. He doesn't remember what it is. But I told Dave, "We probably gave something wrong for every couple we've ever counseled [laughs] times 50 years."
01:12:59,888 --> 01:13:00,488 [Congregant(s)]
Mm-hmm.
01:13:00,488 --> 01:13:24,172 [Kathy]
Because we're not perfect and we don't claim to be, but we do want to be more able to listen and not have a defense, and have a group of people that you feel like you can go to, to help get our attention.Mm. So, I would say those are two things that have definitely come out of this.
01:13:24,172 --> 01:15:49,812 [Dave]
I will s... The website makes it clear what their desire is, that we would step down from ministry. Oh, not only that, but this is the second time that one of the members of this group has contacted my employer to seek to get us to lose our jobs. We are currently under suspension. We've been told that we cannot do any work for CRU or family life right now because of... because of the accusations that have been brought there. This is an attack we've been subjected to multiple times. This was the most vicious. Pray for us, but pray for them. I know that so much of this came out of hurt. However, things came around, and I've been praying for their healing. And I ask you to join me in that. I close with Ephesians 4:30-32. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Alex, would you close us in prayer, please?
01:15:49,812 --> 01:15:52,192 [Congregant(s)]
Ironically, that was what I was gonna ask for-
01:15:52,192 --> 01:15:52,422 [Dave]
Oh! [laughs]
01:15:52,422 --> 01:15:55,752 [Congregant(s)]
... when I raised my hand.
01:15:55,812 --> 01:15:56,322 [Dave]
[laughs]
01:15:56,322 --> 01:15:58,852 [Congregant(s)]
God will stand by you.
01:15:58,852 --> 01:15:58,882 [Dave]
[laughs]
01:15:58,882 --> 01:17:11,982 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs] God, I thank you that you are good. Um, even in messy [laughs] situations in life, even in painful stuff, Lord, I thank you that you're good and that you love us. I ask you to continue to speak to and move in each and every one of us, Lord. Um, move in each of us and mold us more and more into your likeness. Lord, give us wisdom. Uh, lead us and show us how to- how to love you and love each other well. Um, give us your heavenly wisdom, Lord. I- I just pray for... I pray for this, I pray for healing, uh, all around. I pray for, um, relationships that are stronger on the other side, Lord. You- you have a great track record of taking painful things and turning them around in amazing ways. And Lord, I ask that you'll do that in each of our lives. And I thank you that you are faithful, Lord. So give us wisdom, bless the rest of the night. Help us to love each other with the love that you love us with, and to give each other the- the grace and the... that you give us as well. Thank you. Amen.
01:17:12,062 --> 01:17:15,512 [Dave]
Thank you.
01:17:15,512 --> 01:17:16,732 [Congregant(s)]
Thank you.
01:17:16,732 --> 01:17:53,272 [Dave]
So many of you have been praying for us and sending us notes of encouragement and blessing, and we are so grateful. Thank you, thank you. And I just made a decision. Next week is going to be just a praise fest. We're gonna worship the Lord and bring your voices, your instruments, whatever it may be, but let this house be full of praise to our great God.
01:17:53,272 --> 01:17:56,012 [Congregant(s)]
And it does mean you can't still come to us, but-
01:17:56,012 --> 01:17:56,222 [Dave]
Oh, yeah
01:17:56,222 --> 01:17:57,612 [Congregant(s)]
... prayer won't have to be the main thing.
01:17:57,612 --> 01:18:04,322[Dave]
If you feel there's stuff that still needs to be addressed, come to us personally.
01:18:04,322 --> 01:18:04,352 [Congregant(s)]
Yes, please.
01:18:04,352 --> 01:18:49,432 [Dave]
But I- I appreciate, again, so greatly, the counsel of the men who spoke to us. And we have submitted ourselves to their wisdom. And, what a great blessing they have been and, uh, hopefully shall continue to be. I have asked all of them to be on our board. [sniffs] And, uh, we may have others, but I'm, uh... We are grateful for the love of the body of Christ in its services. Thank you.
01:18:49,432 --> 01:18:52,532 [Congregant(s)]
And I saw Carmen goodies come in the door.
01:18:52,532 --> 01:18:54,492 [Dave]
Did Carmen bring something?
01:18:54,492 --> 01:18:55,252 [Congregant(s)]
Yeah.
01:18:55,252 --> 01:18:59,172 [Dave]
Oh, what- what did you bring, Carmen?
01:18:59,172 --> 01:19:00,132 [Congregant(s)]
A cake.
01:19:00,132 --> 01:19:03,632 [Dave]
Oh, nice.
01:19:03,692 --> 01:19:04,772 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:19:04,772 --> 01:19:06,412 [Dave]
Thank you.
01:19:06,412 --> 01:19:06,422 [Congregant(s)]
[laughs]
01:19:06,422 --> 01:19:16,172 [Dave]
All right. Bless you all, go enjoy the cake, and pray and encourage one another. Thank you, Brandon.
01:19:16,172 --> 01:19:18,112 [Congregant(s)]
Just wanna give... Give me a hug.
What's up, Brandon?
01:19:18,752 --> 01:19:20,682 [Congregant(s)]
I don't want to leave you without hugging you. I just want to call it a night.
01:19:20,682 --> 01:19:22,452 [Congregant(s)]
Nothing new, man.