DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
I am excited to have Dan return to ministry here at Prineville Christian Church.
“They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come help them.
And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink” (Luke 5:7)
You may be wondering how I feel about Dan returning to ministry. So, I want to take a moment to “clear the air” and tell you personally. I am excited to have Dan return to ministry here at Prineville Christian Church. When I came in 2022, I wondered how this transition would function as Dan has plenty of years of experience and I am the new guy. However, I found Dan’s years of wisdom from ministry and partnership to be incredibly valuable. As I follow God’s call to step into ministry I also step into the unknown and Dan has helped me through that very process.
One of Dan’s early passions in our partnership was to help me “Find where the rocks are.” Speaking in terms of trying to wade into the deep waters of ministry. The wrong step in ministry and you can find yourself in deep waters. His wisdom has continued to prove invaluable. Which means extremely useful and you cannot place a price on it. Despite the gap in experience, we actually share a passion for many of the similar topics.
Many times as we would sit in the office and discuss matters we shared similar ideas or even arrive at the same conclusion for matters. This to say, I appreciate his partnership in ministry and we work well together. Not that everything has been without a bit of tension. However, the ability to talk through conflict is key for the survival and success of a team. We’ve come to a mutual understanding on many topics. As Prineville Christian Church takes a step forward into 2025 there is much to be done and connections made with new people.
I pray for the little brick church on the corner that we would continue to be a warm and welcoming church. A group of people who can laugh during sermons and move past disruptions in the service because we know we are all here to find God. “Keep the main thing the main thing.” - Dan Parks.
​
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
​
-
News Article Written by Scott Carpenter
Something to ponder:
Some people say no way; We say Yahweh.
Hi, my name is Dan,
After 21 years and 3 months I preached my last sermon as Lead Pastor of Prineville Christian on August 5, 2024.
Per our transition plan I handed Scott the keys to the corner office, he became Senior Minister. I took a 3-month sabbatical and now am returning December 1 as part time associate with the title of Fellowship minister.
So, you might ask. What does a person do with a 3-month sabbatical?
Pickleball tournament – 2 hunting trips – mission trip to Uganda – a surprise 93rd birthday party for my mom – visited several churches – officiated a wedding at a vineyard on the Washington side of the Columbia – visited family in Idaho and the list goes on.
Time flies when you are having fun.
Oh yes, Georgia and I watched Prineville Christian’s service online most weeks. We missed being here. You are family. We are excited to be back.
3 things I am looking forward to:
-
I look forward to being a helpful support to Scott as he leads us in following Jesus. (I believe Scott was/is the right person to be the next lead pastor. He is a good man with a good heart and is doing an excellent job.)
-
I look forward to catching up with you who have been here and getting to know those of you I haven’t yet met.
-
I look forward to sharing more details about Uganda and other sabbatical adventures.
(Contact me 24/7. The first cup of coffee or meal is on me.
phone or text, 541-410-5093;email dan@prinevillechristianchurch.com)
2 more ideas to ponder.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
See you in church
Dan