The longtime rector and chaplain at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Coral Gables resigned in June, saying only that “it was time.”
The Rev. Eric Kahl, spiritual leader at St. Philip’s for nearly 17 years, sent a letter to parishioners explaining that he would stay in the area to be near his three children.
Kahl, who wrote frankly about a difficult year because of his impending divorce from his wife, Carolyn, took July off and said he would go on a six-month sabbatical to learn what God’s next plan for him was. He said he wouldn’t lead another church or take another call but was putting his faith in the Lord.
“I am at peace with this decision, and it is my hope that all members of the family which calls itself St. Philip’s will join me in the peace of Jesus,” wrote Kahl, who delivered his last sermon June 28. He could not be reached for comment.
Update: You can go here and check the statistics on this parish (diocese of Southeast Florida)
One has to ask about the relevance of adding a note indicating that one can check the statistics regarding this parish at a website (declining baptised membership, flat to increasing Sunday attendance and increasing pledge and plate in spite of that). The article seems to be about a human tragedy of a man who has given many years of his life to the Church, and is faithful to his family. Why not recognize it as such and let it lie?
Agreed.
I rarely post here (I had to go dig up my username and password to do this) and that should show how strongly I feel that it is crass to have an “update” on the statistics.
Really?! What does that have to do with anything? The article doesn’t mention growth (or shrinkage at all) — why bring it up? Most churches in the US probably have a similar profile — there is nothing interesting there.
What was the point in that update? The guy got a divorce and is resigning and you are trying to rub his nose in the fact that his parish hasn’t been growing?
I don’t get it but it lacks class.
2, agreed.
I do not know why the stats link was added,
But, I read those stats differently than above.
Namely the Diocese has been shrinking from 15,000+ to maybe 13,500+/-; meanwhile, the parish has remained consistently at 200. The numbers demonstrate a faithfulness in the rector’s ministry throughout the decade.
Further, 200 is a difficult number–the average priest can know 200 people by name. To grow above 200 requires a different way of doing Church, and the resistance to the necessary changes is often intense and unpredictable. Thus, for this priest to remain steady in his cure at 200 persons suggests that he has carried quite an emotional toll for several years.
That indeed may be related to his marital difficulties and divorce.
If so, it becomes a word of caution to those of us who have parishes just under 200 who are trying to get over that hump–be attentive to the stress being absorbed personally and in your family.
It’s just information, folks. But, wait a minute. Now that you mention it, would it be surprising if this article, very wistful in tone, is not the whole story? I mean, the article goes on about the former rector being a “great guy,” “brilliant preacher,” the “most well read person I know,” and an “angel.” Then, in a twist of irony, the search process is described as being like a “marriage.” Some will disagree, but I’m okay with a hard fact or two to accompany this puff piece. Even the “facts”–and we all know how gaseous the attendance numbers can be–are open to interpretation. It’s interesting to look at the zip code demographics, too.
I’m not certain either why it’s considered a bad thing to helpfully post a link where one may look up the parish stats.
The stats seem to indicate that the membership rolls were purged at some point but that ASA remains fairly constant. I saw nothing pejorative about the stats or the posting of the link.
Sheesh — it has come to this, then — Kendall’s being “crass” because he had the infernal cheekiness to *provide his blog readers with an objective link to further information about the parish*.
Yep — that’s TEC for us! No information please! No sources please. That is ever so “tasteless.” ; > )
Eric and I were at CDSP together at least for the year we both graduated; he helped me with some youth ministry concept stuff and ministry in my field ed., which he seemed to be able to do from his back pocket (and what he got hired in Jacksonville to do after graduation).
This would explain why he’s been on my mind for the last couple of months. Probably while trying to settle the ethical issue for himself re: being a priest and getting divorced. Looks like he made his decision.
Would that others could choose to do the same.
I say, join me in praying for the man and his family.
I too know Eric and have spoken with him. It is not helpful to second guess his reasons. Let’s pray for him. It is a difficult time to put together a new life.