Stay Salty: Being a Follower of Jesus in a World of Distractions

Jesus isn’t handing out a branding strategy. He’s naming what happens when a human life is being remade from the inside out. Exploring the internal fire of salt and light through Matthew 5 and the Desert Fathers.

Justin YawnFebruary 6, 2026St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMatthew 5, Salt and Light, Desert Fathers, Spiritual Formation, Discipleship, Inner Life, Philokalia, Fr. Justin

Parenting Without the Panic

In the high-pressure world of travel sports and perfect grades, how do we raise kids who know they are loved, not just high-achieving? Exploring a family 'Rule of Life' at St. Francis.

Justin YawnFebruary 4, 2026St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Churchparenting, Rule of Life, Nocatee Family, 210 Family, Christian Life, Spiritual Formation, st. Francis in-the-Field

The Beatitudes: your politics is too small

This morning at St. Francis, with Bishop Stokes in our midst, we sat with the Beatitudes. These aren't just pretty sayings—they are a radical challenge to our political identity and a call to a bigger way of being.

Justin YawnFebruary 1, 2026St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Churchbeatitudes, Matthew 5, st. Francis in-the-Field, Faith and Politics, Sacred Ground, Nocatee Churches

Stillness

We wear busyness like a badge, but what if God is more interested in your presence than your output? Exploring the ‘Cult of Productivity’ and the ancient wisdom of holy rest.

Justin YawnJanuary 22, 2026St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Churchcontemplative prayer; sabbath; spiritual rest; st francis in the field;Nocatee; Mental Health; Christian Living

What Dr. King Can Still Teach Us About Following Jesus in Divided Times

Dr. King wasn't just a leader; he was a preacher whose faith demanded action. Discover how his vision of the 'Beloved Community' offers us a spiritual playbook for rising above tribalism and finding unity in the Gospel.

Justin YawnJanuary 19, 2026St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMLK Day, Beloved Community, Christian Unity, Gospel and Politics, St. Francis in-the-Field, Nocatee Churches, Spiritual Formation, Social Justice

Justin YawnJanuary 14, 2026St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Church

Valentines Day Re-imagined

We can take Valentine’s example and let it kindle in us a passion for the people in our communities. Are there neighbors we might lift up with a timely word of encouragement, a helping hand, or a secret act of care? Are there broken relationships in our families needing the gentle touch of forgiveness?

centuries on loveJustin YawnFebruary 14, 2025St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

Discerning God's Call: The Rector's Sacred Duty (

Within the leadership of each Parish, the Rector stands as a shepherding figure, weaving together the spiritual and administrative threads that define any one congregation's journey. As outlined in the Episcopal Church Canons, particularly Canon III.9, the Rector is entrusted with profound responsibilities that extend from leading worship and pastoral care to overseeing varied facets of church administration. Their presence is both pastoral and pragmatic, embodying a leadership style that is visionary and grounded in tradition.

What is the Church?Justin YawnNovember 4, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchEpiscopal Church, st. Francis in-the-Field, Justin Yawn, Priest, Church Leadership, History

Discerning God's Call: The Vestry's Sacred Duty

n my first post of this series “On the Church” I dove into the mission of the church through the lens of the 5 Marks of Mission. Today, we will look specifically at a body within an Episcopal Church that has a very important, and yet, misunderstood role. The most common misunderstanding stems from whether vestry members are representatives or agents.

What is the Church?Justin YawnSeptember 25, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchEpiscopal Church, st. Francis in-the-Field, Justin Yawn, Priest, Church Leadership, History

On the Church: The Five Marks of Mission

As the Rector of a growing Episcopal church, I've found myself increasingly troubled by the state of Christianity in America as realized in church participation. I've witnessed firsthand the decline in church attendance and the closure of many congregations within the denomination that I grew up in. For the last 15 years in ministry, I find I am having the same conversations that range in topic from who is involved, whose job is whose as it relates to nurture of children, scarcity, various business model questions and so forth.

What is the Church?Justin YawnSeptember 11, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Churchearly church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

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