SISTERS, Ore. — A Central Oregon man who has run afoul of the local government because he holds commercial weddings on land zoned for farm use has now been warned about church services on the property.
John Shepherd, 56, a pastor, said he hosts small, nondenominational services in his home on the Sisters-area property, with about 12 regular attendees.
A recent letter from Deschutes County’s Community Development Department informed him of “an alleged violation of the County Code associated with your property; specifically, that a church has located at the property without required land use approval.”
Shepherd said the notice is probably a violation of his First Amendment rights.
The Community Development Department said the county is just trying to follow state safety guidelines.