This Pastor Makes York County a Better Place
Pastor Bill Kerney and his wife, Pastor Georgetta Kerney
There is a lot of talk today about people quitting church. One significant contributing factor has been the very public fall of far too many pastors. I explain that here in a piece titled It Might Be Tempting, but I’m Not Quitting Church Anytime Soon.
I am simply weary of the news of scandals involving pastors. We expect more from Christian leaders and should. I say this without casting a stone of judgment. Being a pastor is hard work, and tiring, and the best of us are prone to fall if we take our eyes off the prize.
The public does not often get to hear the stories of men and women serving as ministers, exemplars of the Christian faith, who make their communities better.
I am not talking about spotless saints, but humble leaders faithfully living out their calling to serve their communities with God’s help.
In spite of the flashy scandals, there are countless men and women serving faithfully as ministers right here in York County. In my nearly 20 years in York, I have been blessed to meet many faithful men and women who love God and other people in the most unselfish ways.
One particular name immediately comes to mind: Pastor Bill Kerney. This Pastor makes York a better place.
Upon encountering Pastor Kerney for the first time, you will sense a sincere, warm, and generous presence.
I recall speaking at a local college with Pastor Kerney about our work bringing police chiefs and clergy together in York County.
After the session, one young woman came up to Pastor Kerney and began to tell him about her mental health struggles. He listened intently, asked questions, encouraged her, reminded her that God loves her, and told her that he loved her.
When I heard those words, I wondered how often that young woman had been told that she was loved by another human. Knowing Pastor Kerney, he was sincere. It was not pious talk. This loving way of speaking is normal and comfortable for him.
It is this warm and generous presence that is changing the state of community relationships between people of color, specifically Black people, and local police. Pastor Kerney is adept at building relationships of trust in critical civic zones that need a positive pastoral presence. Because Pastor Kerney is trusted, I have witnessed him be welcomed into more and more places where his presence and wisdom are making a difference.
I am not overreaching to suggest that local police departments have changed both their perspectives and policies in the way they are policing York based on their relationships with Pastor Kerney and other ministers like him.
Pastor Kerney shows up at an incredible number of local events. He makes it his aim to proactively attend as many as possible but is also incredibly faithful to show up whenever asked. His consistency and reliability are what enable so many police chiefs in York County to not only trust the man Bill Kerney but also to call him a friend.
One particular white police chief in our County often states that one of his greatest fears as a police chief is letting his friends down. And by friends, he specifically means Black ministers like Pastor Kerney. That particular chief now carries a weight, a good burden, in the way he leads his department due to his relationship with Pastor Kerney.
Pastor Kerney speaks the truth with love. On numerous occasions, I have had the privilege of sitting in private, behind-the-scenes meetings where Pastor Kerney and I, and often another minister, have met with a local politician, police chief, judge, business leader, or someone in the midst of a simmering racial conflict. Never once have I witnessed Pastor Kerney fearful of speaking the truth in a direct, straightforward manner. When he speaks, he speaks boldly and prophetically, never afraid to speak God’s truth to power.
Yet, the truth always seems to land in a way that the other party receives it. That is because he speaks the truth with love. The recipient is never left wondering about Pastor Kerney’s intention. He is present to heal and bind up wounds, not to divide and attack.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9, NIV)
On numerous occasions when asked about why we brought police chiefs and clergy together in York County, you will hear Pastor Kerney say, “We were led by God to build relationships with one another.”
“We were led by God to build relationships with one another.”
I am well aware that Pastor Kerney could retire, give his energy elsewhere, or spend his time indulging his secret sin, his love of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even the best saints have their flaws.
I have the deepest gratitude, love, and respect for a minister who is listening to the heart of God for York County.
It is my hope and prayer that many years from now York will have an even greater reputation as an exemplary City built on peace and trust. If the good Lord allows me to be alive in those days, I will gladly remind future Yorkers of a number of good men and women who sowed the seeds of unity and relationships of trust.
Chief among them will be my friend, Pastor Bill Kerney, President of the Black Ministers Association of York, PA, Pastor of Covenant Family Ministries, and Board member of the York County SafetyCollab.
He makes York a better place.
