Elder Affirmation | Dr. Mike Kirchner

 

My name is Mike Kirchner, and my wonderful and beautiful wife is Annie.  We are humbled to have the opportunity to speak to you today.

We will have been married for 18-years this Spring. God has blessed us with two wonderful boys John, age 16 and Max, age 6. We absolutely thank God for bringing us to this vibrant, multigenerational body of Christ followers. God has used Graceland Church and its members to challenge us, grow us and bless us beyond anything we could have asked or imagined. We hope to spend our days being apart of the work God is doing in and through Graceland. 

There are many people at Graceland and I know that I have not had the opportunity to meet everyone.  So, I wanted to share a little of who I am and why I aspire to the role of Elder in our church. 

I was saved when I was around 20 years old.  God revealed Christ to me and gave me an overwhelming desire for salvation through Jesus.   At that point, I realized the state of my life and the desperate need for salvation through Christ’s work on the cross.  The Spirit moved in my heart and created a change and peace that I had never experienced before.  A change that was profound and directed the course of my life.  Since finding salvation, I have had a strong desire to serve our Lord and live a life that reflects Christ. 

Our family is very involved and invested in the Church.  Annie volunteers with the greeters and our kids are involved with the youth ministry.  We also host a small group in our home.  I have had the privilege of serving with the Deacons as a Yokefellow.  It was through the Deacon ministry that I found a true love and appreciation for Graceland and for the people of the church.  It was through service of the Church that I realized the desire to serve as an Elder.  There is something special about serving others that can’t be found anywhere else.

1 Timothy and Titus describe the roles and responsibilities of being an Elder very clearly.  Through God’s mercy, I have tried to live out the qualifications set forth in the scripture.  I fully realize the great responsibility that Elders have to protect and lead the church and to serve others in humility. 

I believe that God’s word is true and unchanging.  The Bible is as relevant today as it was when it was recorded.  It is my conviction to help protect the church from the influence of the world around us and to spread the Gospel to the nations.  I commit to our Graceland family that I will always do my best, with the help and guidance of God, to do what is right  and to love God with all of my heart.  I am not perfect, but with God’s help and mercy, I will live a life that reflects the desire to love him and his goodness.

The role of Elder is weighty, I fully realize the implications of the responsibilities and that when my life is finished I will have to answer to the Lord for what I have done.  Whether my life built up the church and its people or not.  I pray for God’s wisdom and mercy in my life and to help me to live a life of humility and service.  

We consider it a gift to simply be members of this body and are willing to serve in whatever way the Lord directs. We are not perfect people, our children are not perfect but together we daily passionately pursue and serve a Savior who is. 

I am excited to see what God has in store for Graceland.  I know that with prayer and humility, we will see God do great things.  It is by his mighty hand that we will see change in our church and community.   It is a privilege to be a part of what God is doing and ask for your prayers.   I pray that God’s will is done in our lives, the church and the people around us.

Dr. Mike and Annie Kirchner