Posted by Helen on: 06.27.2006 /
Keith has kindly agreed to be our third interview candidate!
The purpose of this interview is to give you the opportunity to listen to Keith as he shares his thoughts and opinions with you.
If you want to discuss whether Keith’s views are correct, we invite you to do that here on the discussion board. Keith is welcome to participate in discussions there about his views if he wants to. If he doesn’t have the time or inclination that’s fine with us - we don’t consider doing so ‘part of the interview’.
I’d like to post more online interviews. If you’d like to send one in, you can find the instructions and questions here.
What screen name do you post under — so we know you when we see you?
My screen name is Keith — it is remarkably similar to my real name :).
Would you like to share any of the following so we can know you better: your age range, whether you’re married or single, have children, what kind of work you do, what area of the U.S. (or other country) you live in?
I’m twenty-five years old and have been happily married for 5½ of them. Alicia and I have two boys, ages four and two. I am a pastor and live in the St. Louis area.
What do you like to do when you have some time to yourself?
Laughing with family is tough to beat. Music gets to my heart and I like Dylan, U2, the Shins, Rich Mullins, Billy Joel, contemplative rap (I don’t know if that’s really a genre — but that’s how I would put it — John Reuben-type stuff), and about anything that hits home. I enjoy sports, good stand-up comedy, and reading stuff that has an edge. Doing anything with my wife is as good as it gets.
Please share with us something you really enjoy about your life.
Just about everything. My wife is the funnest person I’ve ever met, and my boys are just like her. Keeping up with God’s calling on my life is easily the most challenging and rewarding part of my life. One of my favorites is getting to listen to people talk about the Lord one-on-one and online. And preaching … when I am preaching I am most myself. No matter what I’m doing, I love helping people — it’s what I’m on this earth for.
If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about you or your life, what would it be?
I would probably change my emotional makeup. I have to constantly be on my guard about my tone of voice. If I let myself go, I would yell at my family every day. Wish I could say I had it behind me, but I don’t. There are various other unhealthy manifestations of my fragile psyche that would be cool to be without.
How did you find Conversation at the Edge (or, the eBay atheist blog) and what drew you to post in the comments section?
I read Jim’s book “a.k.a. Lost” and ended up on the site. I read some of Hemant’s stuff and eventually started reading the blog. I had never conversed online before, but after awhile I decided to take the plunge and see how it went.
Is this the first time you’ve participated in any online discussions on the internet? If not, could you share with us what other sorts of online discussions you like to participate in?
Yes. This is my first time.
Has posting on Conversation at the Edge (or the eBay atheist blog) changed you in any way?
Posting has helped solidfy a number of things I already believed. Most of all, it has confirmed a number of convictions I already had about sharing Jesus — to just be myself and let the Holy Spirit do the work. Don’t know if I’ve made a difference in anybody else, but so far I think I’ve avoided any real stupid mistakes, which gives Jesus a chance to do something through me if he wants.
Were you raised going to church and are you currently a church attender?
Yup. I went with my Mom until I was about eleven when my Dad got things right with the Lord and came along as well. I currently attend regularly with my wife and boys. The best part of church is the people.
What is your main reason for choosing to be a church attender/not to be a church attender at present?
I need other people, and figure they could use me. Interaction with God feeds me full, and church usually gives me an opportunity to give some of the fullness away.
Apart from church are there any groups you participate in regularly for faith-based, social and/or self-improvement reasons?
A group of us guys from college get together a couple of times a year to tell old stories. I meet with other ministers in St. Louis once a month for cooperating on ministry to the poor — and that’s beneficial. My wife and I hang out with an older couple every two weeks or so and we both have been better spouses and parents as a result of all that.
Please answer the following questions if this is true of you: “I have beliefs about Jesus, God (as I understand God to be) and/or the Bible which are important and beneficial to me and which I try to share with others because I believe these beliefs would be important and beneficial for them also”
Has anyone ever called you a “fundy” or “fundamentalist”? Have you heard or read anything which tells you that some people talk about you like that behind your back?
Nobody has ever called me a fundy to my face.
How would you/do you feel about being called a “fundy” or “fundamentalist”?
Big whoop-a-dee-doo. People can call me whatever they want.
Are you aware of any assumptions or associations people make about “fundies” which don’t apply to you?
I’m considered a pretty conservative guy, but most of the time I am not a jerk. So, anything about fundies which suggests that they are jerks all the time would not apply to me since I am only a jerk occasionally.
How do you like to describe yourself regarding your beliefs?
I’m just a guy who listens to Jesus as much as possible.
What (else) would you like to tell the people who call you a “fundy” if you thought they were listening?
Call folks whatever you want, but still listen to what they have to say.
Do you own a Bible? Do you ever read the Bible or look anything up in it? If so, what is your main reason for doing so?
I study the Bible regularly. Preparing sermons and lessons is a huge part, but I also study to give God the opportunity to work on me if He wants.
As best you know, has anything in the Bible influenced you in a good way (directly or indirectly)?
Just about everything. I love studying and discussing the Scripture.
As best you know, has anything in the Bible influenced you in a negative way (directly or indirectly)?
A lot of folks like to hide behind the Bible to avoid interaction, and that stinks. That said, I don’t really blame that on the Bible.
Has anyone expressed disapproval to you about your own personal opinion, or use, of the Bible? What would you like them to understand better about you and the Bible, were it possible?
One of the hardest things to do is to stop, read the Scriptures, and think about it. A lot of folks will reference passages without reading and that leads to a lot of hearsay that gets things fouled up. The best thing you can do with the Bible is actually read it — even if you’re referencing a story you’ve heard someone else talk about before. Thinking about what we read takes time too, and that is helpful.
Is there anything I forgot to ask that you’d like to tell us?
Just wanted to say that I have really enjoyed my time on the blog so far. I have learned a lot and have enjoyed meeting everyone. Thank you all.
Comment by: Julie Marie
1 06/27/06 4:33 AM | Comment Link |thanks for doing the interview Keith. I’m glad you decided to join the conversation. I enjoy your posts very much.
Comment by: Helen M.
2 06/27/06 4:50 AM | Comment Link |So do I, Keith.
Comment by: Keith
3 06/27/06 6:47 AM | Comment Link |Thanks Julie Marie & Helen … the feeling is mutual.
Comment by: Eliza
4 06/27/06 9:45 PM | Comment Link |Keith, thank you for sharing yourself with us, in the interview and in your posts. I have noticed that you always seem to have positive, encouraging comments for people. That’s wonderful - and inspiring! Thanks again.
Comment by: Keith
5 06/28/06 6:06 AM | Comment Link |Thank you, Eliza