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Dayspring Presbyterian Pastor Settles Into New Role

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN, Hernando Today

Published: November 24, 2007

SPRING HILL - Working on his fourth book, one may say that the Rev. Robert Barnes is a dramatic wordsmith, and it is evident in his first pulpit pastoral job at Dayspring Presbyterian Church.

One of his initial sermons in September, before he was officially installed, caused him to pause. He was speaking about Paul being in conflict with God, regarding a donkey needing discipline. In a demonstration of his point about Jesus' intent, the ministerial candidate for the church gave a sound "donkey kick" to the side of the pulpit, and his shoe flew off, arching in the air.

The pastoral candidate worried as his right foot shoe flew toward the head of an elderly member. What if it caused injury and bleeding?

His pastoral debut could cause expensive litigation and disdain, not to mention losing the ministerial post.

The flying object lofted high in the air and was deftly caught by Old Guard member Ray Heddleson, a good catcher with a big grin. Heddleson tossed the shoe right back to the pastor, and to this day, some in the church think it was rehearsed. "So, didn't he kind of get off on the right foot?" Heddleson mused.

"Well," the new parson sighed. "The catch was aptly volleyed right back to me, and it served as a saving grace."

Now Barnes is unpacking his many books and getting his office and church thoughts in order, eager to ferret out various aspirations and anchoring of diversities between the old and the new Dayspring members. Some prefer the traditional but want to have younger members join.

Barnes will take his time he says, attempting to appease and build consensus among the congregation while embracing some of the newer trends in American Sunday worship services and religious programming.

Barnes has focused his recent commissioned writings to encompass a variety of theological directives from such theologians as Bill Wright, Jack Arnold and Don Mountan.

"Rev. Arnold stood next to me in his final speech before a huge crowd, saying, 'When I get to Heaven ...' and then he toppled over and died right then. Arnold had accumulated massive writings, and the editing and resultant books or journals will amplify his teachings," Barnes said.

Arnold's mentoring afforded trips and instruction for Barnes to teach ministerial leadership classes in Liberia. The country's 15 years of civil war devastated churches and illustrated many social justice concerns. An e-mail to Barnes from one Liberian minister expressed thanks to Barnes for his workshops and support, especially in view of the many Liberian males killed in war.

A minor but important elevation of women in leadership roles and the economy is evolving, Barnes noted.

The New Work

Barnes' newest book is "Discovering God Study Bible," published in July, the result of five years of research and commissioned writing and editing under mentor and theologian Bill Wright.

It profiles three aspects of God - character, personality and ecumenical concerns in non-idiomatic text designed to be easily grasped in English and for English-as-secondary-language readers. "English on an eighth-grade level, understandable also for those where English is a second language," Barnes said. It is "selling like hot cakes," Barnes said.

Born in New Orleans, Barnes was raised on a small farm, and was an English honors student at Prentiss Christian School, later studying at Belhaven College. He holds a master of divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo.

He met his wife, Kim, at a Presbyterian church. She called in for a prayer request for her mother's impending surgery, and the young aide answered the phone. "I charmed her with my empathetic prayer-request-taking skills," Barnes recalled, noting that they were married six months later.

"We have two children, Bethany is 9, and Noah is 8. They are being home-schooled, and I must say that Kim is the best mom and wife a man could ask for. Plus, she'll be an active church member, who specializes in hospitality and teaching."

Barnes likes a variety of music and plays piano, guitar, and percussion. He has done choral direction and hopes to include some newer Christian music to fit alongside traditional hymns.

Doris Boutell oversees a daily computer update of member concerns and prayer needs, filling in as an interim communicator. A cartoon in the religious education classroom portrays her as a "reporter," and she enjoys communicating ongoing shared concerns and volunteerism among the membership.

Heddleson also mentioned such care and sharing evident in monthly luncheons that afford participants poems, music talents, readings and testimonials.

He also applauded little known charity support to help groups such as Jericho Road residency, Dawn Center and the church food pantry.

He even acted the part of a waiter for the church ladies' annual tea. "Some of us humbled ourselves with dressing in waiters' attire, and sang "I'm a little teapot strong and stout ... tip me over and pour me out."

Old, New Influences

When asked about some favorite books, the new pastor mentioned some old and some new influences. "I find the 'old paths' are the best ones, so my mentors and guides are often those from the past," Barnes said.

"I'm listening to tapes of Jonathan Edwards' classic 'Religious Affections' in my car. I am also drawn to J.C. Ryle, a profound writer from the Anglican tradition during the 1800s, whose book 'Holiness' should be read by every Christian.

"Eugene Peterson's 'Eat this Book' is a powerful little tome, a guide to an experiential existential way of interacting with the Bible. I expect I will read it yearly, as I do Jonathan Edwards' 'Charity and its Fruits and Religious Affections.'

"

Barnes is impressed with Dayspring's charity outreach, including preparing for being the local Operation Shoebox collection drop-off next week and its ongoing local pantry, open each week. "It's an amazing food pantry," he said. "It could grow five times if we had the staff and volunteers. If we could get community volunteers, I think we could feed 250 families a month from it."

Paul and Patricia Frye are Dayspring members who appreciate the new pastor. "We attended a large Tampa church," Paul said, "and we especially like Dayspring for it's being small and so friendly. Pastor Barnes has a lively, exciting sermon style. A nice plus is that Pastor Barnes' kids are almost as cute as our own grandchildren."
Dayspring Presbyterian Church is at 6000 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.

For information, call (352) 686-9392 or e-mail dayspring church@gmail.com.

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