The Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Chicago’s Northwest Side, sits on the steps of the church, which is welcoming of gays, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. (Photos by Kevin Beese/For Chronicle Media)

Kara Wagner Sherer embraces new ideas and isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers.

The leader of a small congregation on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Sherer sees an untapped revenue source for state and city officials that is not likely to get a lot of support among her peers.

“I think we should tax churches,” said the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church. “If you can prove you are a community center and not just open one day a week, you would get a discount. Churches should pay their fair amount.”

Sherer, who has been at the helm of St. John’s since 2005, would have little trouble proving that her parish is an active part of the community. A parishioner leads yoga classes in the parish hall, classes that Sherer takes part in. The church is the site of self-help groups for alcoholics, overeaters, and sex and love addicts,. The Irving Park area church is the home to a Philippine Independent church’s Sunday afternoon worship service; and it plays host to The Irving Park Garden Club, Moms of Multiples and voice lessons taught by Sandy DeAthos-Meers.

Sherer stands next to one of the church’s stained glass windows.

A cradle Episcopalian raised in Minnesota, who went to a Catholic grade school, Sherer expected to spend her career as an English teacher. However, she gave a sermon at age 18 and got glowing reviews.

“A woman came up and said, ‘You should be a deacon,’” Sherer remembered.

After graduating from St. Olaf College in 1991, she taught in England, New York and Chicago. But thoughts of serving as a religious leader stayed with her. She went and earned her master of divinity degree from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in 2003.

She was assistant rector at St. Paul & the Redeemer in Hyde Park from 2003-05 before being called to lead the St. John’s congregation of 225.

Before becoming a priest, Sherer was asked how she would be different once ordained. She gave what she thought was a decent and heartfelt answer, but she didn’t get the nod for commissioning.

Another of St. John Episcopal’s stained glass windows.

“I went out and started to cry,” Sherer said. “It was in that situation that I realized how much I wanted to be a priest.”

Sherer said being a wife and mom to two girls keeps her grounded and forces her to take time away from the church, despite living right next door to the house of worship. Family life helps her combat burnout, a condition, she said, that some of her single peers find themselves in because of too much time involved in church activities.

Even with family keeping her from overcommitting to church activities, Sherer said she also needs to find time for herself.

“I do yoga once or twice a week. It helps that the class is right at the church and that a parishioner teachers the class,” Sherer said with a smile. “I see a therapist once a month. I also meet with a spiritual director once a month and am part of an organization for clergy

A boxing bell, left from when there was a gym at the church, is located under a plaque honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus.

“It helps that I’m a parent. I’ve got to be certain places and do certain things.”

Two small rainbow flags stand in planters in front of the church, a sign that the house of worship welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. Sherer is well aware that the practice goes against the message of top Episcopal and Anglican leaders.

“I support gay individuals being priests and marriages of same-sex couples,” Sherer said, knowing she is bucking church doctrine. “We will keep talking about it.”

— Chicago rector finds balance between family, church —