"Meet The Pastor"
Faith Lutheran Church of Punta Gorda welcomed Rev. Dana
Narring as its new shepherd at his installation service on Sunday, March 21,
2010. Officiating at the service was Rev. Dr. Randy Winkle. The
preacher, who also installed Rev. Narring, was Rev. Gregory Walton – president
of the Florida Georgia Dist of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Rev.
Narring grew up in Detroit, MI where he attended Lutheran High School
East. While in high school, he lettered in three sports and was active in
the band program. Pastor Narring also was involved in Scouting from Cub
Scouting through the rank of Life Scout in Boy Scouting and earning Scouting’s
highest religious award – Pro Deo Et Patria. He currently serves on the
District Committee for our area.
After
high school, Pastor Narring attended Ferris State College in Big Rapids, MI and
later, schools in Florida – after his family moved there following his junior
year. He was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Oviedo, FL,
where he led Bible classes and was involved with the building program. He
was encouraged by his pastor (who also was his confirmation pastor in Detroit),
Rev. Edwin J. Rossow, to once again pray about serving the Lord in the pastoral
ministry. With support from vicars from St. Luke’s, he went to visit
Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Upon visiting the campus, he felt it was
where he needed to be. After 3 years at the seminary, he was assigned to
Spirit Lake, IA for vicarage – where he soon had to assume the pastoral duties
for the congregation after their pastor had accepted a call. After
completing his vicarage, he returned to the seminary for his final year.
Upon graduation, Pastor Narring was called to Peace Lutheran Church, in Sunrise
Beach, MO as their first full-time pastor. He has al served congregations
in Platte City, MO, and Sarasota, FL.
Before
being called to Faith Lutheran, Rev. Narring worked as a chaplain, first at Life
Path Hospice in Tampa, and then for TideWell Hospice in Sarasota. Most
recently, he had been called as the part-time Assistant Pastor for Good Shepherd
Lutheran in Sarasota. Starting in November, he filled the position of Vacancy
Pastor for Faith Lutheran and, in February, was called to be their full-time
pastor.
Pastor
Narring sees great potential here at Faith in Punta Gorda. He stated that,
“The members are warm and genuine, and that they have a desire to reach-out with
the Gospel to the community. With that kind of an attitude, and a great
facility, growth can happen!” His vision for the congregation is to have
them, “Open the Book.” He would like to see members more involved in
reading the Bible, and in Bible Study. This is important to understanding
what God’s purpose is for them, and for how they can serve the Lord through
Faith Lutheran Church and in their community. He also believes that it is
important for Faith to expand their base by adding more full-time residents –
while continuing programs to grow our ministry to winter residents. He
feels that evangelism is going to be a key in Faith’s future. Rev. Narring
looks forward to a long and fruitful ministry at Faith Lutheran
Church.
All right reserved MNB Web Design.
