Update: On April 1, 2015, the votes from presbyteries were tallied and Rev. Karen Horst’s name will be presented to the General Assembly as sole nominee for moderator. She is expected to be installed on June 4 when the assembly meets in Vancouver.
Rev. Karen Horst serves as minister at St. Andrew’s, Orillia, Ont. And she has served on a slew of national committees. She was convener of the Presbyterian World Service & Development committee for six years. She has led monitoring and exposure trips to visit partner organizations around the world. She’s been part of the Life and Mission Agency committee (and the Board of Congregational Life before the LMA was formed), the International Affairs committee, and the Committee on Education and Reception. She was on design teams for Triennium, a youth event of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and has written curricula, study guides and courses for many groups and events in the Presbyterian Church in Canada and for ecumenical use. She began her ministry career as a diaconal minister and regional consultant working with congregations and church leaders.
Those who attended one or both of the national Presbyterian Women’s Gatherings may recognize her; Horst was the M.C. both times.
She also loves to ride a motorcycle with her husband and the “Holy Rollers,” her congregation’s motorcycle gang.
The Record asked her to answer a few questions to help you get to know her a bit better.
Tell me about yourself. How would you describe your faith journey?
I have my aunt Reta to thank for my childhood faith that blossomed as I attended Knox Presbyterian Church in Milton, Ont. She wouldn’t take no for an answer so each week I trekked to Sunday school and church not realizing at the time how much I was absorbing the basics of faith.
I admit a crush on a guy in the youth group led me to join. Nothing happened on the romance front but faith caught hold of me instead! I was fascinated by the whole notion of a loving God and a family of faith in which I felt very affirmed, encouraged and challenged.
Two significant events were pivotal to my journey of faith. When I was a teenager, I met a man who came from Chile to tell of the plight of his people. He returned home and was assassinated. His profound faith touched me deeply. The second event was the sudden loss of my dad when I was 21. As an only child, I was thrust into the deeper questions of death and eternity and how God interacts with humankind. As I struggled with the meaning of life, my faith became more balanced between mind and heart.
I continue to grow daily as I interact within the church and the greater world with Christians who tirelessly give of themselves no matter what their circumstances. I continue to learn from those who never give up hope even in the midst of heartache, oppression and poverty. Those who are willing to ask the hard questions and remain in Christian fellowship, even when we disagree, stimulate my faith. I am blessed every day as I have the privilege of accompanying people in their faith, in their mountaintop experiences and in the darkest valleys they must travel.
I look forward to that day when I will see not through a glass dimly but face to face.
What would you say is your passion?
I am by nature a passionate person so I can name many key passions. The fundamental key denominator in the diverse areas in which I have been involved is the alleviation of suffering for humans and creation itself. I believe none of us can rest when our neighbour is not experiencing God’s grace and justice. Whether it is caring for a child who has been bullied in one of our schools or a farmer in Guatemala who hasn’t even the basic tools to support his family, I believe Christ calls us to come alongside them and offer love and support. Respectful partnership was what Christ offered as he walked this earth. He forced no one but his loving, compassionate ways excited people who wanted to know him and his love. I believe each time people cooperate with and support one another a little more of Christ’s realm is revealed.
Asking the harder questions is also a passion of mine. Christian education has always fascinated me. I have been in a lifelong quest to understand how faith is stimulated and encouraged. I celebrate an authenticity of faith that is willing to shape theology as we see with new eyes through the revelation given to us through the Holy Spirit. It is important for us to constantly revisit what we have held to be true in light of new insight and wisdom given to us through our own study of God’s word along with the work provided by those devoting their lives to such a pursuit.
Living life deeply in the mysteries of faith is another passion of mine. I quip that I am willing to try anything if it is moral and legal and honours God. Whether it is cherishing our experiences on the family motorcycle, walking outside at the top of the CN Tower or babysitting my grandchildren, God comes to us in fresh new ways when we allow ourselves to risk stepping out of our comfort zones to allow the richness of life to come to us. Overcoming fear and exploring uncharted waters will always draw out my soul.
What concerns you most?
There are many things that cause me great concern but three things loom largest for me right now.
Our culture has changed so dramatically that I ache for the institutional church as it seeks to reshape itself for our contemporary day. In the past, our denomination, like many others, has navigated well because of our structure but people are now inspired more by movements than they are by institutions. We will need to quickly find the ways to allow our system to breathe and be more flexible to welcome this new worldview. I do not despair at all for the future of Christianity but the church will have to face many changes. It has risen to the challenge in the past. There is no reason that it cannot do so again.
The growing polarization between ideologies causes me great concern. We are seeing this shift in politics, religious thought around the world and within our own tradition. Reasonability seems to be losing ground to a heightened emotional sensitivity when our ideas are challenged. We have to find fresh ways to agree to disagree and to respect the decisions made by others that are different than our own. God’s Spirit has spoken through the corporate voice of the church and God will continue to do so. We must renew our trust that God’s sovereign purposes will be accomplished.
I am increasingly concerned for our young adults and those growing up with fewer possibilities for meaningful employment and the chance to make a difference. I am inspired by the passion and thoughtfulness of the generations that are now a part of our youth movement. It is my prayer that God will open up new doors for them to use their gifts for God’s glory and the hope of the world.
What gives you the most hope?
I am filled with excitement and hope for the future of Christianity. In my local congregation we are experiencing new growth each year both numerically and spiritually. People have been incredibly generous with their resources and gifts and lives are being touched. As long as we are focused on the care of our neighbour not our own survival, we will never need to despair. People are seeking spiritual truth and we have Christ to offer them.
I am also inspired by the technology that is available to us. It never existed before and how it has changed the way we communicate the gospel. Of course it has to be handled properly but the whole globe is now at our doorstep.
Faithful people who are willing to take up their cross and follow Christ rather than the ways of this world profoundly inspire me. We may not all agree on what that path is, but those who seek to honour Christ in their daily living can inspire us all.
Have you put any thought into a theme if you become Moderator?
I have a deep burden for specialized ministry in our church. Because of limited finances, many positions other than minister of word and sacraments are being eliminated. Yet, as I have talked to many who have entered full time ministry, I have heard that it is because of a significant camp director or youth worker or regional staff person who encouraged them along the way. I would be happy to do what I can to encourage creative and strategic thinking to help congregations and courts explore how they might continue to celebrate a variety of ministries within our church.
And is there anything else you would like to add?
I am deeply honoured to be a nominee for Moderator and I am humbled as I recognize all the other candidates this year. May God’s blessings be upon each one. I know the church will be in good hands in this coming year.
