Practical faith and faithful practice
When Ruling Elder Kathy Lueckert, the child of a Presbyterian pastor and grandchild of Presbyterian missionaries in China, wanted to see if indeed it was true that there were nine generations of Presbyterian pastors on her dad’s side, she started with Ancestry.com.
In addition to confirming the nine generations of Presbyterian pastors, Kathy learned she actually is descended from 12 generations of Presbyterians! “That explains a lot about me!” she said. “I grew up around a church and around pews on Sunday mornings and that was a big part of shaping my life.”
Kathy was first ordained at First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, Virginia. During a time of change and expansion for the congregation, she was recognized as a young adult who would bring gifts and talents that would nurture the faith and life of the congregation. She was ordained to the office of ruling elder and had various roles on the session, served on stewardship, served as liturgist, and worked on other at-large projects.
However, those beginning days were not without some glitches. Kathy was able to recognize that her particular talent for organization, clear linear and logical thinking, and planning and logistical skills did not mean that she would be a good fit everywhere. She learned that chairing the worship committee was “not her sweet spot” and not a good fit. She grew a lot during those days — “sometimes having to learn the hard way and had some growing edges.” But that did not deter her from serving actively in that church and beyond.
Kathy has served on the session of Woodland Park Presbyterian Church in Seattle and is the clerk of session at Central Presbyterian Church in Louisville. She has been active in presbytery work in Seattle Presbytery and Heartland Presbytery, serving on both presbyteries’ councils. She has also served as the stated clerk of Seattle Presbytery, as an assembly assistant during several General Assemblies, as an appointed member of a General Assembly special committee, and is currently the president of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation.
Yet Kathy, who says her faith is practical, remains humble when she remarks that she has tried to be active at all levels of the church, believing that this is part of our responsibility as ruling elders.
You may be wondering what she says sustains her:
- Her husband, Don.
- Looking for God’s presence in the everyday and in everyday interactions — “I see evidence of God all around me if I just open my eyes.”
- Keeping worship on Sunday mornings as a top priority to keep a close connection and be a part of a worshiping community.
- Keeping physically active. This is a time when she does her “batch processing” — “I have my conversation with God, good and bad, during those times when I am out doing something physical.”
- Being a part of a running group, whose members have become important to her — “They are not church professionals; it is a good thing in your life to have a little bit of diversity.”
- Adding more walking and biking to sustain her body.
For Reflection:
- As we take on responsibilities at work, in our homes, and for the church, it is crucial to regularly evaluate your energy levels and make adjustments. Pray and listen to your body’s signals and rest when needed, let go of certain responsibilities, or acknowledge the possibility that a particular role or act of service may not be a good fit for you and consider other opportunities for service. How might you make modifications for your own sustainability?
- In lifting up the partnership of ruling elders and ministers that is so important and key to our polity, Kathy said, “There are a lot of things that are not taught in seminary that ruling elders can help pastors navigate through. That partnership in helping the congregation navigate life these days, in particular, is even more important than it used to be.”
- How might your unique skills and experiences, along with the pastor or other elders, benefit the ministry of your congregation in these challenging times?
valerie izumi is a ruling elder serving the Office of the General Assembly as an assistant stated clerk, coordinating the General Assembly nominations process.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, monthly "Regarding Ruling Elders" articles will alternate between a deep dive into the ways ruling elders discern and measure the life of a congregation through the ministry of members AND stories about how ruling elders are using their call and gifts as they move within and beyond the walls of the congregation.
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