Rev. James Parks

Our hope is that Annual Conference will be more than a meeting. We envision it as a time of retreat where we—both as individuals and as a conference—Our hope is that Annual Conference will be more than a meeting. We envision it as a time of retreat where we—both as individuals and as a conference—can realign our lives and ministries with the Holy Spirit. Watch Invitation Video Here When I think about “keeping in step,” I picture different running partners I have had over the years. In my...

Early in my ministry, when I was recruiting people to serve on church committees and leadership teams, I often used a line like, “It’s not that much work.” My thinking was that if I didn’t make the task sound too big, people would be more willing to say yes. I assumed hesitation was the primary obstacle to service. What I learned over time is that I was underappreciating both the role of leadership in the church and the desire of lay people to serve passionately and wholeheartedly. Faithful...

As I reflect on this past year, I realize much of it was shaped by a long and unexpected health journey. In January of 2025, I went to the doctor because of a loss of strength and mobility in my right (dominant) shoulder. What began as a diagnosis of a torn labrum eventually led to the realization that I needed a total shoulder replacement. Three months later, I was back in surgery, followed by months of physical therapy to regain strength and movement in my new shoulder. Throughout much of...