An Introduction To This Website
Hello my dear friends in Christ, and all who read this website, this is Dad O'Connor, bringing you an introduction to the website of
Calvary Church and Calvary School of the Bible.
We are so very thankful that you have chosen to visit our website and we sincerely trust that you will be greatly
helped and encouraged by our Lord Jesus Christ, as you read and study the articles posted herein. The following introduction
is but a brief attempt to familiarize you with our work in the Lord's Vineyard, and perhaps to give a small insight into our
lives and ministries as well.
While I am regarded as a Senior Pastor, and a father in the Faith, I place no mandate upon “titles”
(if any Christian Minister feels it necessary to demand a ministerial-title in order to enforce or to maintain respect, there
is most likely a deficit already existing of respect toward him, in any event).
Some folk feel comfortable addressing me as, “Pastor O'Connor,” or as, “Pastor Mike.”
My Catholic friends over the years have very sincerely addressed me as, “Father Mike,” but I do not solicit, demand,
nor expect any such accolades. I was raised in a time when both Ministers, and Congregants, were upon a “Brother,”
and “Sister” basis. (I still feel most comfortable with the humility and unpretentious informality of the same.)
Enforced titles have served to establish a non-scriptural, hierarchical “pecking-order,” which is
contrary to sound doctrine, as expressed in New Testament practice. Such a concept entered the Early Church some years after
Constantine's decree in the early Fourth Century, A.D. In the New Testament, there is not one single reference to anyone of
the Apostles or other recognized ministries of that period employing the use of ministerial titles. They were without exception,
upon a first-name basis. There are references where ministerial titles were used as descriptors by way of introduction or
mention, but they were not ever employed as mandated titles by which the Apostles were to be addressed. The Apostle Paul,
found it necessary (when dealing with serious problems in the fledgling churches), to establish the fact that he indeed was
called to be an Apostle, and was functioning in that role; but we never find occasion where he demanded to be addressed in
that manner.
These days I am known as, “Brother O'Connor,” “Brother Michael,” “Brother Mike,”
or just, “Dad O'Connor,” which I prefer.
I reserve to the “young'uns,” the right to address me as, “Grampa Mike.” (Just don't
you older-Folk, try this! HA!)
I perceive the Body of Christ, as one big Family, sprinkled like myriad grains of salt, all over the whole Earth.
This is my family! These are my kin-Folk! Our Lord Jesus posed the question, “Who is my mother? And who
are my brethren?... [He then answered this question, by stating:] whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven,
the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:48-50).
I for one, cringe at the thought of some vaunted, intimidating title, holding me at distance from even the least
of my fellow-members in Christ! Please understand that I do not criticize those who use “Biblical” ministerial
descriptors, but to use such as mandated titles, I do not agree with, nor can I personally embrace such. Perhaps the most
unscriptual abuse of all titles is the very commonplace use by ministers, of the title, “Rev.” The Scripture,
Psalm 111:9, makes it very plain that “holy and reverend is His name.” In the original, this very clearly
ascribes personal ownership unto the bearer of that title/name. There is no reference made anywhere in all of Holy Writ, to
any servant of the Lord using that title. If “Reverend” is His name (that is, belonging signally unto Himself),
then please tell me what right anyone of us could possibly have to usurp and claim that high and holy title/name unto ourselves?
It would be my sincere wish if I were to be known as anything at all, to be known as a father in the Faith, and
as a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of His people! Peter admonished: “Neither as being lords over God's heritage,
but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). Surely, all of our Lord's servants in the Early Church regarded themselves
as “servants!” (Let me be known as a servant to all! Amen!)
This problem of which Peter warned the early believers had already raised its serpentine head in his day, early-on
in the First Century Church, and had become well-established by the time of John's banishment to the Isle of Patmos, when
he wrote strong words of warning and condemnation of “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:6, 15). The
word “Nicolaitans” (being the followers one, Nicolas), is derived from a compound Greek word: “Nike”
= to conquer and gain the victory/preeminence over, above, and upon... “Laikos” = the common people, especially
as the congregation or body of Christian believers.
Most Bible Scholars agree that this sect was the first in the Early Church to enforce an exalted “clergy,”
lording-over a groveling, passive laity. (Is it any wonder that through the Church Age, and especially in our day, the greatest
majority of the congregants are little more than “bumps on a log” or “bench-warmers?”)
Oh! What a glaring departure from the Apostles of the Lamb! (Servants All!, whom sealed everyone his testimony
with a martyrs death, with the possible exception of the Apostle John.) Those great heroes of the Faith, as well as those
memorialized in Hebrews, chapter eleven, will surely rise up in the Day of Judgment, and bear witness against all such usurpers,
as were the Nicolaitans.
We sincerely believe we are called by our Lord Jesus, to undergird and encourage our brothers and sisters in
Christ, in every part of the world, regardless of race, national origin, or denominational affiliation/background. We wish
to be known as servants unto all our Brethren, everywhere!
Please make a habit of studying all Scriptural references contained in the various articles posted on this website,
which is not intended to be a “reading-room,” but rather, a “Study-Center,” for serious-minded followers
of our Lord Jesus, who wish to grow and come to maturation in their Christian experience.
It is not our purpose to eke out crumbs and tid-bits, but rather to lay in store, excellent “Spiritual”
food, as did “Joseph,” so that he could feed his brethren (and the population at large), in the time of famine
(Genesis 41). In this day, the “World” has entered the Church! Truly a dearth (drought) has covered the whole
Land, and we consequently find ourselves facing a stark “famine.”
Our vision and purpose for this website is to provide nourishment for the “Hungry-Ones.” We earnestly
desire this Ministry to be a repository of quality substance for our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, in all the Earth.
Oh! Lord Jesus, please grant it to be so!
We are a Study-Center, and a Institute of Biblical Learning. In order to learn, we must apply ourselves
to become good students. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed [found empty,
fruitless, lacking], rightly dividing [dissecting, excising, investigating...] the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Let us follow the example of the “Bereans,” who were deemed more noble because they searched the
Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). We might add, that in their day, to do so was a tedious and arduous task. There were very few
sacred manuscripts, except those housed in synagogues, and to a lesser extent, within libraries found in large population
centers. There was not as yet any compiled body of sacred writings. The individual manuscripts were without chapter and verse
divisions, nor did they contain punctuation, nor grammatical syntax: Yet, the Bereans searched and studied the Scriptures!
DO WE?
When visiting our website, for best results, type our web address directly into the address bar of your web browser.
It may be necessary also, to adjust your zoom-percentage, to correspond to our format.
Please spread the news of our website to your family and friends, so they may also be blessed and encouraged
in the Lord. Above all, PLEASE PRAY FOR US! Thank you and may God bless you every one!
Should you have any inquiries, we sincerely welcome your call or email for further information. Thank you!
I hereby wish to acknowledge and thank those whom have most blessed us in the raising-up of this website. Brother
Warren Dayton, helped me launch this site in Fall of 2009. He has labored tirelessly and sacrificially since the beginning,
with very limited resources. While we were taking the first, early, baby-steps, Mrs. Vincent (Clarissa) DiPilato, was a great
encourager who very patiently mapped out for us those necessary early steps.
