by Rev. Eric Folkerth

Here’s a picture of our 2020 Kessler Park Church Council taken last night at our first meeting of the year. I’m deeply grateful for all these leaders, and I hope you saw the list of them in last week’s newsletter.

Two Sundays ago in worship, we celebrated the installation of leaders for 2020 at Kessler Park. In addition to committing themselves to be your Church Council for the year, there was one question addressed to all of you as members of the congregation:

“Will you do all you can to assist and encourage them in the responsibilities to which they have been called, giving them your cooperation, your counsel, and your prayers?”

I made a little editorial comment about that question afterward. And I’ll do it here again so that we all hear it clearly. Note what the question is to you, as church members:

Will you…assist…encourage…cooperate…give counsel and prayers?

Not…will you complain to them, gossip about them, second guess their ideas and decisions, and undercut how they try to lead?

Far too often in the church, as in life, we identify leaders and then we tend to Monday-Morning Quarterback their decisions.

I should say very quickly that I have not sensed a terribly high level of complaining so far. And that is good. I suppose my general purpose here is to use my bully pulpit to urge you to keep supporting all members of our Church Council, and all members of our church committees.

Pray for them. Encourage them. Find ways to show your gratitude to them in ways great and small.

I for one am deeply committed to supporting them any way I can, and I trust you are too.

It’s been a busy week around the church. Credo Choir has returned from a powerful concert and witness on the border. Our Youth had a Lock-In on Sunday night and 26 (Yes, 26…) Youth came! And on Friday, I’ll be joining a group of KPUMC members and Cliff Temple members back in Juarez to build two homes with Projecto Abrigo.

I know you join me in celebrating these rich ministries of Kessler Park.

Grace and Peace,

Eric Folkerth