6 Questions and a Cup of Coffee
with...
Linda Staats
I am a Boomer, married to a Booster, who together have two Gen X sons. Two Kenyans of the Millennial generation claim me as their "Grand Mum!" My mother is a Builder - a 98-year old wise elder. You can learn more about me here.
1. Can you describe your call to ministry?
My academic study, degrees and early career were all related to "development" - child development, family relations, and human development. My daily family life revolved around "church." My "Aha" Spirit-filled moment was realizing human development and faith development, church and home, are connected and woven together. It has been a privilege to share a lifespan, household faith perspective as an "apostle" (messenger) called to serve multiple Christian faith communities and networks within the ELCA.
2. What is the best part of your ministry now?
My greatest joy is bringing together people of every age and decade. It's creating space where generations accompany one another across the borders and boundaries of age. It's connecting personal holy stories with God's stories. It's equipping and empowering all generations for serving like Jesus at home and in the world.
3. What is one fact about you that would surprise people?
At age 10 I had eight living grandparents. They all lived within a 14-mile radius of me and meddled in (influenced) my life.
4. What are three things Christian Educators need to keep their eye on?
- With few or no courses required or taught in Christian education in our seminaries and denominational colleges, my concern is with the loss of "pedagogy." What will be the future of the discipline that deals with the theory, practice, art and vocation of Christian education and lifelong faith formation?
- How do we equip our congregations, communities and homes as centers for resisting messages of racism and anti "other"? How do we instill a sense of care, connection and hospitality toward people different from ourselves? How do we build attitudes and skills in our households for embracing a multi-cultural, diverse country and world? How do we live as disciples of Christ and agents of love and change? With the current climate in our country, this is urgent work!
- How do we assist our households to live "backwards" in our consumer society? How do we navigate between competing narratives -- one of buying more stuff for "me" versus God's story. a message of abundance?
5. What are some of your favorite resources?
6. How can we pray for you?
Two things:
That God's call to serve in this, my 3rd third of life, will be clear in direction and purpose. And join me in thanking God for those who have come before us, nurtured us in Christian faith, walked by our side, given us such extraordinary opportunities to serve the church; and provide us the connection and ministry we enjoy through the CENetwork of the ELCA.
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