Several people have wondered and asked us about our new church, the First Presbyterian Church here in Kerrville. First, we have been attending this warm church since 2000, and we remember the huge attendance there for prayer immediately following 9-11-2001 when we were here. We have watched the church change ministers and move from the smaller church, now a "chapel," to the larger sanctuary which is one of the most beautiful we have attended. More importantly, it is a warm church in which we have always felt welcome.
As to its philosophy, there are several items that reflect the beliefs of this religious community. One is found in a passage from a recent newsletter, written by the associate pastor who is working on his doctorate in divinity.
"Dear Friends,
The campus was quiet at Austin Seminary the Sunday I arrived. Guadalupe Street has never seemed so strange. In the absence of students the calm spoke louder than the noise. By Monday morning, staff and students arrived. Cars were being unloaded. All were registered and accounted for. By1:00 in the afternoon, I was sitting with seven other ministers around a table with Professor Lewis Donelson at the head. Questions were then fired away, “How do you interpret Scripture? What does the reader bring to the text? To what extent do our contexts play a role in how we interpret Scripture?” The next ten days consisted of an intensive study in biblical interpretation focusing primarily on the letter of I Peter. Such is the life of a doctoral student and I loved every minute of it! One of the values that Austin Seminary holds dear is a solid foundation in theological and biblical reflection. For this reason, the Doctor of Ministry program includes two core courses, one in theology and one in biblical studies. I took the theology core course with Dr. Cynthia Rigby last June and most recently, the Bible core course with Dr. Donelson. Both courses were wonderful! From here, the next step is to learn how to write a proposal for a final project that can be used in the church. Ultimately (and with the approval of the faculty at Austin Seminary which is standard for all D-Min. students in order to advance), I plan to return in June and take the two week course on how to write a proposal. Thank you, the members of First Presbyterian Church for supporting me financially, prayerfully, and allowing me the time away.
Grace and Peace,
Rob Lohmeyer"
The following passage is another description:
"For generations, folks have gathered at First Presbyterian Church to worship God with hearts and hands and voices. God continues to bring new people into our midst, and we are blessed with a diversity of ages, experiences, and talents. Our pews are filled with brand new believers and seasoned Presbyterians, with many of us being somewhere in between. You are welcome here anytime to join us on the journey of faith, to discover more deeply what God is seeking to do among us, and to share in the celebration of God’s abundant gifts. We receive new members regularly. We have visitors with us every week. We have room for you and room for all of who you are. "
As to its philosophy, there are several items that reflect the beliefs of this religious community. One is found in a passage from a recent newsletter, written by the associate pastor who is working on his doctorate in divinity.
"Dear Friends,
The campus was quiet at Austin Seminary the Sunday I arrived. Guadalupe Street has never seemed so strange. In the absence of students the calm spoke louder than the noise. By Monday morning, staff and students arrived. Cars were being unloaded. All were registered and accounted for. By1:00 in the afternoon, I was sitting with seven other ministers around a table with Professor Lewis Donelson at the head. Questions were then fired away, “How do you interpret Scripture? What does the reader bring to the text? To what extent do our contexts play a role in how we interpret Scripture?” The next ten days consisted of an intensive study in biblical interpretation focusing primarily on the letter of I Peter. Such is the life of a doctoral student and I loved every minute of it! One of the values that Austin Seminary holds dear is a solid foundation in theological and biblical reflection. For this reason, the Doctor of Ministry program includes two core courses, one in theology and one in biblical studies. I took the theology core course with Dr. Cynthia Rigby last June and most recently, the Bible core course with Dr. Donelson. Both courses were wonderful! From here, the next step is to learn how to write a proposal for a final project that can be used in the church. Ultimately (and with the approval of the faculty at Austin Seminary which is standard for all D-Min. students in order to advance), I plan to return in June and take the two week course on how to write a proposal. Thank you, the members of First Presbyterian Church for supporting me financially, prayerfully, and allowing me the time away.
Grace and Peace,
Rob Lohmeyer"
The following passage is another description:
"For generations, folks have gathered at First Presbyterian Church to worship God with hearts and hands and voices. God continues to bring new people into our midst, and we are blessed with a diversity of ages, experiences, and talents. Our pews are filled with brand new believers and seasoned Presbyterians, with many of us being somewhere in between. You are welcome here anytime to join us on the journey of faith, to discover more deeply what God is seeking to do among us, and to share in the celebration of God’s abundant gifts. We receive new members regularly. We have visitors with us every week. We have room for you and room for all of who you are. "
That pretty much describes the feeling. When we were unable to obtain a transfer of membership from our previous church in Omaha, we were accepted as members to the congregation here by a simple reaffirmation of faith. That is the way, we believe, that Jesus intended it to be, that followers of Him and His Word are always welcomed in the fellowship of other believers.
We are enjoying and appreciating the beautiful stonework cross hanging on our walls, which was given to us as a welcome gift. We give great thanks for and to all of those people who have welcomed us so warmly, especially Pastor John Wurster. We are certainly blessed to be here!
We are enjoying and appreciating the beautiful stonework cross hanging on our walls, which was given to us as a welcome gift. We give great thanks for and to all of those people who have welcomed us so warmly, especially Pastor John Wurster. We are certainly blessed to be here!
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