Interview of Pastor Bea conducted by Cindy Price
Interview with Pastor Bea
Reporter: Cindy Price
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: In southern California, mostly around Orange County.
Q: How many siblings do you have?
A: I have no biological siblings, but I have two stepsisters and tow stepbrothers.
Q: How did you become involved with the church?
A: When I was in high school, I got involved in MYF. I wanted to go to seminary, but at the time, there were very few women becoming pastors. However, when I was 39, I went and was one of the first women attending.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: I went to California State University, Fullerton.
Q: What hobbies do you have outside of the church?
A: Reading; needlework, including crocheting, needlepoint, cross stitch, and knitting; music; and traveling.
Q: What is your favorite animal and what is your favorite color?
A: My favorite animal is a dog. My favorite color is blue.
Q: What is your favorite memory of your childhood?
A: My favorite childhood memories are my days walking with my mom to Knottsberry farm and looking at the miniatures of different missions.
Q: What are the most difficult tasks facing a pastor at church?
A: Dealing with people who don’t want to change how the church is operated.
Q: What was the most embarrassing moment at church that you can think of?
A: One time, I said “I screwed up” and some people had a problem with that.
Q: What are the pros/cons of being a pastor?
A: Some pros are the sense of integrity you get and the interesting people you meet. You can also pick your own weekly schedule, and you have an impact on the world. Some cons are the fact that you are not always aware of peoples’ expectations and are not always able to meet them. You have to deal with difficult people. Also, I work on holidays such as Christmas and Easter when other people would be free.
Q: If you hadn’t become a pastor, what would you have been?
A: I would probably have been a journalist or an attorney.
Q: Have you had any other jobs?
A: I worked as an editor on a newspaper for two and a half years and as a technical editor for a NASA contractor for five years.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: I would like to serve on the national level of the church or work for the Michigan Christian Advocate.
Q: I understand you write. Where does your inspiration come from?
A: My inspiration comes from Jesus’ call for justice.
Q: How do you feel about fantasies like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?
A: I think that they are good books. Fiction is fiction, and is not meant to be taken as fact.
Q: Do you plan on writing any books in the future?
A: I may write a book on congregational development and progressive theology.
Q: What is your favorite book of the Bible? Why?
A: Exodus is my favorite book because I like the story; it includes rich, deep imagery, and contains messages of self-determination and liberation.
Q: How would you handle an atheist or non-believer?
A: Since I have been one, I can relate. It doesn’t matter whether you believe or not, god accepts you anyway.
Q: What is your opinion of other religions?
A: Everyone gets to God in their own way. How they get to God doesn’t matter, because God is in every religion. I believe that extremists are abusive in every religion.
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about you or your job?
A: I enjoy working with teenagers and building relationships with people as they grow in faith. I also like to watch people as the build relationships with each other.