Kathryn Bell is a custom closet organizer who likes the challenge of a really big house.
God’s house.
The Rev. Bell, 34, is the new interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church.
“I’ll have the regular duties of a minister, plus the goal of getting things ready for the new pastor,” she said. “I’m here to get everything out of the closets, so to speak, so when a new pastor arrives, the congregation is past the rebound mode and ready to begin a new relationship. Think of me as the sherbet between courses.”
In culinary terms, she’s here to cleanse the palate. Or to wipe the slate clean.
Among her goals are to work with church members to update the church’s directory, rewrite its bylaws and conduct a review of its organizational structure.
All the dirty work.
“These things fit my personality,” she said. “I like to clarify roles and expectations.”
BELL BELIEVES a well-functioning church should have three programs in progress:
1. Adult Christian Education — A congregation needs to have ongoing enrichment.
2. Fellowship — A congregation needs to know each other through a sharing of feelings and thoughts.
3. Outreach — A congregation needs to care about the existence of other people and show it.
Bell said she sees the role of a church somewhat differently from what parishioners typically view as its model.
“I see it more in the way a grandparent views her grandchild. Loving, forgiving.” A don’t-sweat-the-small-stuff mentality.
“I think Christ loves us for who we are. The church is a haven for people who are unloved or who want to be loved.”
