7 February 2024
An Open Letter to the Park Street Church Community

Over the last six months, we have grieved as our community has been divided. Decisions made by church leadership, both past and present, and the subsequent reactions by some in the congregation, have led to the intense division and painful situation which we now face. Because there has largely been just one public response, intensely critical of Mark Booker’s ministry and the Elder’s leadership, we feel a burden to offer an alternate perspective.

We affirm that Mark has been called by the congregation to be the Senior Minister of Park Street Church and that we greatly desire to continue under his spiritual and organizational leadership. We trust that the allegations made against Mark were fully and appropriately investigated by the Board, weighed, and accordingly found to be not disqualifying for pastoral ministry. While Mark has identified places he can grow as a leader, we believe he has the spiritual maturity, godly character, and requisite qualifications to lead our congregation well. By God’s grace, Park Street has borne much fruit under Mark’s leadership, and we believe it will continue to do so for many years to come.

We affirm that the congregation has called and elected the Board of Elders to wrestle with and make difficult decisions on our behalf. We recognize that the burden of leadership is considerable and there are many facts and details that our Elders and officers of the church cannot disclose publicly due to privacy and legal obligations. Even when we don’t agree with or understand every decision that has been reached, or we desire for more information, we respect the Board’s authority to make those decisions while seeking the Lord for wisdom and discernment.

We appreciate other lay leaders and officers of the church (the Nominating Committee, Personnel Committee, Clerk, Treasurer, Missions Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer) who have worked to fulfill their duties with grace and integrity despite extraordinary circumstances.

We are grateful to the church staff who have continued to be on mission for the Lord and shepherd the congregation well during this disruptive time, even as they have experienced pain and anger themselves.

To those who are angry, hurt, or confused, we are praying for healing and restoration and will seek to extend the right hand of fellowship, even as we may disagree on the issues at hand or how the church might best respond.

Our church is facing serious problems, both internally and externally, that the Lord alone can solve. We trust that He is working in and through our congregational form of governance and pray that His will be done at the upcoming Annual Meeting. We exhort every person at Park Street to faithfully strive toward peace, submit to one another in love, speak to each other with gentleness, and pursue Jesus above all.

By signing this letter, I affirm that I am currently an active member or attendee of Park Street Church.

214
signatures
207 verified
  1. Margaret Sloat, Stoneham
  2. Heather Hutter, ASL Interpreter, Lynnfield
  3. David Sloat, Stoneham
  4. Heather Lewis, Reading
  5. Elizabeth Lohnes, Melrose
  6. P.H. Benjamin Lohnes, Consultant, Melrose
  7. Janese Free Newell, Professor, Criminal Justice & Criminology, Boston
  8. Sarah Richey, Nurse, Boston
  9. Jamie Bush, Consulting, Bush & Company, Boston
  10. SueBush, Hingham
  11. Julianne White, Boston
  12. Michael White, Boston
  13. Brett Bone, Boston
  14. William Richey, Boston
  15. Mary Frances Giles, Southborough
  16. JULIE HALVORSEN, North Easton
  17. Hannah Schundler, Boston
  18. Rosanna Verrengia, Retired, Wobirn
  19. Chloe Verrengia
  20. Jake Lubinski, Boxford
...
167 more
verified signatures
  1. Jim Schmunk, Executive Search, Attend online
  2. Cameron Henry, Wellesley
  3. Sandra L. Palmer, Retired, Rough and Ready, CA
  4. John palmer, Retired engineer, Rough and Ready, CA
  5. Scott McGrail, Hanson
  6. Sharon Postma, Mendon
  7. Hugh Edward Rutledge, Project Manager, SAVVAS, Waltham
  8. Penny Kulakowski, Chaplain/Nurse, Danvers
  9. Elizabeth Beth Rutledge, Admin Assistant, The Arc of Massachusetts, Waltham
  10. Wesley Ireland, Boston
  11. Elizabeth Ireland, Boston
  12. Jude R Kyambadde, Medford
  13. Mark Lewis, Retired Law Enforcement, Online Attendee, Bayview, Idaho
  14. Susan Brune, Bayview, Idaho
  15. Elise Vasko, Wellesley
  16. Ethlyn Ottley Greydanus, Pastor, Online particpants, Holland
  17. Joshua Siewert, Consultant, Belmont
  18. Ruth Siewert, Psychologist, Belmont
  19. Remove my name now!, Park Street Church, Boston
  20. John Harutunian, Organist, Newtonville
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