We recently connected with Fr. Taylor Tracy and have shared our conversation below.

Fr. Taylor, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Christ the King Independent Catholic Church (CtK) was founded in the early days of 2020 as the pandemic began to roar its way through our nation. Amid isolation, confusion, and panic, CtK quickly became of refuge and place of emotional, social, and spiritual clarity, solace, and comfort.

CtK is a parish for all people, but we emphasize our commitment to the inclusion of the marginalized, particularly those within the LGBTQIA+ Community, those who have divorced, and those who have been rejected or overlooked due to any number of circumstances.

Fr. Taylor, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have served in ministry for over fifteen years and in parishes ranging in size from 60 to over 2,000. I started “at the bottom,” pulling weeds in the church courtyard, and worked my way up as I grew in knowledge, faith, and experience. It wasn’t always easy — actually, it rarely has been, but ministry is not for the faint of heart. However, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Today, I usually wake up at 6:00, and I am out the door shortly after (it helps to know that I will wear the collar every day and I don’t have to decide what to wear). I like to keep track of my steps and average between 13,000 and 20,000 steps per day.

During the day, I visit the sick, provide sacramental care, offer pastoral counseling, mediate conflict, perform administrative duties, attend meetings, offer Mass, and celebrate weddings/baptisms/funerals.

I usually wind down with evening prayer and try to go to bed by 11:00, so I can hit the ground running the next day.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Any time you stick your neck out for others, you will become a target. Advocating for the marginalized is not something I planned on doing, but after serving within the Church, I quickly realized that I could not NOT do it.

Planting and shepherding a church through one of the most challenging seasons in a century, there has been very little that has been easy. We had to get creative about connecting with people and serving them; we had to face the waves of COVID, global, national, and local turmoil and upheaval, and the kitchen sink.

But our faith has carried us through it all. Christ does not tell us that the way of the Gospel is easy or without struggle or suffering. That’s something our secular world can’t handle, but what if an Olympic athlete quit every time they felt tired? It’s no different for those of us trying to build a more loving, accepting, and compassionate world.

Any advice for managing a team?

You have to galvanize behind the mission and vision of the ministry. Without that, what makes you different than the church down the street?

It takes consistency; you have to follow through no matter what, you have to be there for those you are entrusted to care for when they need you, and you must calm the waters and steady the ship.

At the end of the day, the greatest aspect of being a priest is establishing and cultivating that sacred bond between pastor and parishioner. You just can’t beat it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.christthekingkc.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christthekingkc

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Christ the King Independent Catholic Church