It is difficult to believe that my two short years of serving as your Prior of Temple Church are only two days from ending. Claudia and I will be Templars for 11 years this October. In that time, I have watched four previous Priors come and go in this office and have observed each of them closely. Based on what they had to deal with, I can say that I was blessed, as the scriptures say, with “Peace on every side.” The leadership team I was most honored serve with, and the entire Priory team of every experience range that I worked alongside was truly extraordinary and made all the difference as Prior.
I maintained my enthusiasm at committing my time to this task, but I am likewise very excited to get back to breathing new life into our start-up company, writing and getting caught up with many things that had to be left adrift for the sheer lack of minutes and hours of TLC.
In that spirit, I have moved to another state, changed my telephone number and email addresses… just like Prior Linda before me… (LOL)
Not really…
Now I am privileged to be a member of the Temple Church’s august Board of Elders, shown at a recent meeting below.
Probably the best decision I made as Prior was asking Tom Beaton to be my Chancellor – with whom I have communicated nearly every day for the past two years. I can confidently assure you, there will not be a better Prior in the whole of our international Order. Thank you for fully supporting him and his leadership.
And now, one last, but most important comment, concerning my days as Prior – one that I have saved for last because it is a single thought that I hope stays with you, beloved Priory. I could not have been successful were it not for Claudia – my wonderful, Godly help-meet and my one flesh. Her selfless devotion to me, to you and to our Order is truly one-of-a-kind extraordinary. There is no medal or accolade that could express my gratitude and love toward this amazing Kingdom, Proverbs 31 woman. No man, no Prior and no Priory has ever been as blessed. So to be sure, and without any equivocation whatsoever – Claudia and I working side-by-side together have faithfully served and loved each of you together as a genuine Prior team.
Now, I am most privileged to find myself back at the Temple Church Chaplain’s duty – one that I truly thrive at and enjoy more than any other.
To that end, I plan to send out a Chaplain’s Message to the Priory once or twice per month, and share prayer requests with everyone as soon as I receive them. So please do not be shy about sending me your prayer requests so that your Templar family can join with you before God’s Throne.
Claudia and I just want to say THANK YOU for your friendship, your love and the unexpected outpouring of respect you have have extended toward me, for the job and duties of the Prior. It has been both humbling and sweet.
We do look forward to serving you for many years in a different capacity, as God allows.
With this, the final Battlefield Report has been issued…
But in the wind is the whisper that perhaps they shall all be bound together and published between the covers of a book. God only knows….
Non nobis, Domine, non nobis; sed Nomine tuo da Gloriam
In His Holy Kingdom Service
Dennis and Claudia