I joined the "25 Random Things About Me" Tour that hit facebook here in the last few weeks and it sparked more discussion than I ever dreamed possible. I thought deeply about my answers, put words to what matters most to me about Christianity, and now if I were to print out all the debate and processing together... it would probably be 20 some pages! It is a great conversation about hierarchy in the church, the emergent church, some of our favorite authors, and more. It's quite fun!
And so, I'm posting these 25 things here too... in case it might spark discussion for anyone who's not currently on facebook. So many people thanked me for being so open and honest, I figured I'd be open and honest here too. Enjoy the list. And if you're on facebook, join our discussion!
Here are 25 Random things about me:
1. I have a one-track mind and no one expects it. This is why after a fascinating class or conversation I can walk by someone and literally not see them-- this is why I hate call waiting-- and why if I'm writing a sermon (or doing anything else) I get irritated when I'm interrupted. And thus, this is (by far) my greatest flaw and my greatest strength… since with this trait I get a whole lot accomplished.
2. I see people for who they could be—which is good and bad. On the one hand, when church people fall short I get frustrated (and thus, spend a lot of time frustrated) because I see how beautiful they could be. On the other hand, I see people for who they can be and work to enable them towards being that person. My jaw never drops in shock with everyone else when someone once perceived as low becomes great… because I saw it all along... And this has actually developed more in the last 10 years—since that’s how long Derek (my husband)'s been in my life, teaching me to see the best in people.
3. I have great friends who stand behind me and hold me up often. If it was not for them loving me, believing in me, and (quite literally) telling me I’m awesome (when I know I’m not), I probably would have quit long ago. Community is more than an idea to me—my community pulls me up out of my selfishness so I can be who I was created to be. They enable me to BE different than I feel.
4. I believe ontology (‘being’) should be the core of faith and not “things” or “stuff.” This affects everything. For example—salvation is not what you “do” or “get” but it is who you BECOME. Care for others is not something you “do” (etc, etc) it is the kind of people we ARE—living in a pattern of holiness.
5. The reason I care about social issues and the poor so much… is because I know people personally. They aren’t just ideas to me- they are people. People in Romania living in villages without running water, babies in orphanages, or homeless in the states. My passion is fueled by people... and people I actually know personally.
6. One of my worst experiences ever was my 10 week trip to Romania. One of my best experiences ever was that same trip. I am who I am today because of my suffering, learning to smile, and pushing towards ministry even when I did not feel like it.
7. I followed one of my dearest friends (Kaza Henson Fraley) our whole lives. We both grew up in Maryland. She went to ENC—4 years later I followed. She went to Seminary—4 years later I followed. She went to Wichita—4 years later I followed. AND we met in Romania (in between seminary times). When she moves, I know where I’ll be in 4 years since we’ve now been in the same place 5 times.
8. My 2 year old son loves High School Musical so much I’m convinced he’ll be the star of HSM nine. And I’d be proud. I adore that little man.
9. I loved being a children’s pastor more than anyone knows. My kids were amazing and I miss them a lot. I certainly don’t think I made a step up—to be a senior pastor. Anyone who looks down on children’s ministry is nuts.
10. I got a lot of pies in the face working with kids. And I almost always got a bloody nose with it.
11. I am involved in the emergent church movement and if my book is published, I’m trying to come to grips with the fact I might become more of a public emergent figure than I ever imagined.
12. I love the emergent church for several reasons. Here’s a few:
a. It’s fun and exciting to be a part of something bigger than myself that actually makes a difference for who the church CAN BE.
b. It’s swimming in ontology.
c. The community of emergent folks together motivates me to keep going—even when I’m hated for the message. To keep preaching God’s intention for creation and the body of Jesus Christ; no matter what.
d. Who could ever hate messages of: Getting on board with God’s plan for redemption of all creation, relationship with God and others, becoming God’s body to a suffering world, and the list goes on.
13. I love Harry Potter and the Twilight series… and wish I could use them as sermon illustrations but would rather not die THAT way. I actually have a poster of both hanging in my home office inspiring me that if people rejected such creative literary writing in them, there’s hope for the rest of us.
14. I am really getting into reading the classics. B&N’s classic section is a favorite of mine right now. It’s fun to see how “Wuthering Heights” shaped the Twilight series. Next on my list is “Sense and Sensibility.”
15. The thing I mist the most about the east coast… is sarcasm. It falls dead in the Midwest and is entirely depressing.
16. I have a confessor—whom I tell what I really selfishly think about stuff. My confessor straitens me out and has been known to give me penance to act contrary to how I feel.
17. I see theology in everything- literally. Books, movies, words. I should teach a “God in Culture” class. Illustrations from life jump out at me.
18. I had foster kids in my house growing up—learning to share your parents is by far one of the greatest tools for character development.
19. I’m allergic to mustard, nuts, peanuts, and lentils… which makes for annoying potluck dinner “Excuse me, who made this?”
20. My favorite thing about being a pastor is similar to my favorite thing about being a student—having a reason to research. I get to study one passage all week long, live in it, eat it, breathe it, sleep it—and find ways to help it make sense to my particular group of people and their lives.
21. There’s only been about 2 people ever in my life I did not like… and that was because of how they worked so hard to make me feel horrible about myself. I often wonder if I’d like them now.
22. I loathe doing the dishes… and think it might be the worst form of punishment for my son.
23. I love to read and try to read 1-2 books a week. And they almost always make my sermons better.
24. The books that shaped me and my theology the most are: Stanley Hauerwas’ “Community of Character” and “Prayers Plainly Spoken,” Rob Bell’s “Sex God,” Shane Claiborne’s “Irresistible Revolution,” Martin Buber’s “I and Thou,” and Rudolf Otto’s “Idea of the Holy.”
25. I feel sorry for my friends who actually read this—because I thought way too deeply about it I’m sure. Just like I do almost everything.
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