Preaching the word is in her blood

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on February 22, 2008

With a father, grandfather and great-grandfather fundamentalist preachers, it would seem natural to follow in their pulpits.

However, that was not an option when Vicki Kemper was growing up in Texas.

"I didn't have the Y chromosome," she said.

Fast forward to 2008 and the very recently ordained Rev. Vicki Kemper is the new minister at the First Congregational Church on Main Street.

Sitting in her freshly painted office at the church, Kemper spoke of her initial career and her second career following God's call.

Her first career: reporter. "I knew I wanted to be a writer since first grade," said Kemper, who lives in Belchertown.

She earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master's in political science from the University of Michigan in 1982. Her writing career included time spent at a newspaper in Arizona, and writer and editor for "Common Cause" and "Sojourners" magazines.

She spent seven years as a reporter and assignment editor for the Washington bureau of the Los Angeles Times, where she covered health care policy.

But the idea of ministry was with her for a long time. "I got to a point (where) my professional life and God's persistence came together. I made the hard decision to go to seminary."

She left journalism and earned a master's in divinity, summa cum laude, from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington. She was ordained in Washington in January.

Most seminaries are now 50 percent female and at least half are second careers. The last 10 to 20 years has seen an exponential growth in women choosing ministry as a second career, she said.

Vocational careers benefit from life experiences, she said.

"I bring a lot of life experience as a journalist with a lot of experience in the real world, different kinds of experience that are valuable to relate to a congregation. I was married, divorced, lost a sibling to AIDs, a social justice activist. And I traveled to many countries," said Kemper, who served a two-year internship at Christ Congregational Church in Silver Spring, Md., and was a hospital chaplain one summer.

She had several offers from other congregations for her first ministerial post, but the First Church was a good fit.

"It's a very exciting church and has a history of being extremely progressive, ahead of the curve in social justice and theologically. I'm interested in where church came from and interested in where it's going. Many congregations are treading water. This church has a clear vision," she said, citing its deepening spirituality and expansive definition of ministry. "They see every member as a minister. I'm very impressed with the work they have done. I want to be part of it."

The church that has 200 members and three part time staff: administrative assistant, youth and family director, and music director.

At its recent annual meeting, the congregation agreed to adopt a new way to govern itself on a trial basis. Rather than boards and committees that meet regularly, the congregation would have ministry teams that devise their own schedules and agendas. It's much more dynamic, flexible and life giving, she said. People can join an area, such as spiritual life, where they feel called and are passionate about.

She said she isn't coming in with a set agenda. "We're on the same page, otherwise I wouldn't be here. We are open and affirming church, meaning all are welcome here."

She described the church as aiming to be good stewards of the earth and wanting to do more with ministry for children and youth. Part of the church's mission is to serve the community. It offers its building to groups, including Not Bread Alone, a weekend and Wednesday meal program, and a Spanish-speaking church. "We are a faith community and should do more to support what we believe in deeply."

While she is a fourth-generation minister, she said her style is different, "in content, use of Bible themes. Their view of God is different than mine." Being a women would also be an issue. She said her father was adamantly opposed to women preachers as "unscriptural" 20 years ago. "By the time I went to seminary, he evolved. He was glad to see me faithful to my call. He sang at my ordination and now is proud and happy."

"I was called by God. The first thing I accomplished was faithful to God's call. Part of my spiritual journey and with this congregation is to constantly reassess what that involves."

Being a minister is a challenge, but there are opportunities and rewards. "It's a very holy thing to be part of people's lives at the most important moments, to be companion and guide on the spiritual journey."