An Exclusive Interview with Associated Content's Kim Linton

She is a woman of unwavering faith who lives with a strong sense of purpose and reaches out to others through her ministry. One of Associated Content's most prolific writers, Kim Linton is also a delightful servant of Jesus Christ. One cannot read her articles without being touched in some way by her passion for spreading God's word and her gift for doing so in a down-to-earth way that has mass appeal.

The wife of Pastor Gary Linton, Kim possesses a talent for writing that establishes her as a woman of impact in her own right. Her work on Associated Content is a testament of her faith as well as her desire to touch the lives of others.

A fan of Kim's work, I recently had the opportunity to interview her and became even more impressed with her in the process.

Dr. M: If you were limited to 30 seconds to answer the question, "Who is Kim Linton?" what would you say that is not already on your Associated Content profile?

Kim: A 46-year-old humble know-it-all who often misses the opportunity to stop talking at the appropriate time! A fearless advocate for the underdog who loves taking chances and popping theological and stereotypical bubbles.

Dr. M: Name three "timeless" articles that you have written for Associated Content and tell us why you believe that these articles will continue to be relevant for years to come.

Kim:

1. My Love Affair with Jesus: The Confessions of a Passionate Woman

This is my testimony. Our testimonies are not only timeless, but powerful. Learning about the paths others have taken can often help us find our own way.

2. Should Christian Couples Use Role-Playing During Sex?

Obviously a controversial subject, but I feel the issue of sex and the Christian couple will be discussed in the Evangelical scene more and more in the days to come. I believe there is a new awakening within the church that ultimately will bring couples closer together.

3. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even though many would love to eradicate God from this world, the power of the resurrection will continue to be a stumbling block for some and salvation for many. This is one message that will never go out of style.

Dr. M: Do you ever feel that people have unrealistic expectations of you because you are a woman of faith who is married to a pastor? If so, how do you deal with these expectations?

Kim: Yes. Being in the ministry means the world is watching. Everyone, Christian or not, has preconceived ideas about the way a minister and his family should look, think and behave. I learned the hard way that if I try to please everyone I will lose my identity. These days I focus on pleasing God and letting His grace cover me when I mess up.

Dr. M: What are some unique challenges and opportunities that go along with being a pastor's wife?

Kim: Pastors are interesting people. Many are strong willed, bullheaded, stubborn and very passionate. They have to be to do what they do. My man is the most passionate person I have ever met in my life. You put the two of us together and sparks fly! Being a pastor's wife is truly a calling. If you're not called, it won't work. With its ups and downs, it also opens incredible doors of opportunity to minister to those who are hurting. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Dr. M: When you are not writing or involved in ministry, what are some things that you typically do with your time?

Kim: Since our kids are older now and require less attention, any free time that I have is spent with my husband. We are best friends and enjoy hanging out together. We have a date night at least once a week. We love taking wild, sexy adventures to places that are new to us. We have a lot of fun!

Dr. M: What are some personal or professional aspirations that you are still longing to achieve in your lifetime?

Kim: There is an expose type book in the works about pastors and ministry. I can't say much now, but it will be a bit controversial. The plans aren't finalized yet. There are a few computer certifications that I would like to obtain, and to eventually overcome my fear of public speaking.

Dr. M: Please share with us a time when your faith has been tested and how you worked through it.

Kim: Our oldest son was a heroin addict for several years as a teenager. It nearly crushed us. One really bad night we almost lost him. My husband and I both had our faith tested beyond measure, but God kept His promise to us. Our son is now 26 years old and has been clean for years.

Dr. M: On your ministrymaker.com website, there is a most profound bit of advice for those seeking to start their own ministry: "Making sure your marriage and family are strong are the most important things to consider before starting a new ministry." So many people are quick to put their marriages and families on hold while they pursue various personal and professional endeavors. Why should they consider this advice and how can they apply it to their own lives?

Kim: Thank you for asking this question. You're right. It's so important for our marriages to be strong for us to be successful in anything we attempt to do. Starting a new church or ministry puts an enormous amount of stress on your marriage. Even the simple act of announcing a new church plant brings resistance from places that you never thought possible. If you and your mate are not fully committed to each other and the ministry, all hell will break loose. It's not pretty when that happens.

Dr. M: There are many people who use the guise of Christianity to manipulate others. One such example would be individuals who pretend to be devout Christians in order to establish romantic partnerships with single women or men that they encounter at church or on Christian dating and social networking websites. What advice would you give to Christian singles out there for identifying and avoiding such advances?

Kim: Good question. I just published an article along those lines: Penthouse Media Offers Christian Dating. Before researching for that article, I was aware of the abuse that sometimes occurs in the Christian dating scene, but what I learned about that site was a new low. Yes, there are many predators who go to churches and Christian functions to find new prey.

It's sad, but in some ways the Christian dating scene has become as threatening as the club scene. Trying to separate our emotions and physical responses from the spiritual realm can sometimes cause us to make bad decisions. Predators know this and use it as a weapon. Christian singles need to be aware and watch out for the wolves.

Dr. M: There are people all over the globe who feel a sense of helplessness and hopelessness as they reflect on the adversity within their lives and the ills of this world. What advice would you give these individuals to keep them from giving up?

Kim: We are living in a time of uncertainty. The increase in technology and communication has made it possible for people around the world to experience tragedy and mayhem as it occurs. There's also a proliferation of erroneous teaching and false doctrine to add even more confusion to the mix. Years ago, I made a commitment to God that I would never beg anyone to follow him. For those of you who know Him, as long as you never give up, you will be victorious.

For those of you who do not know Him I offer this challenge. Remove your skepticism and read the entire Bible, front to back, with an open mind. As you do, be bold enough to ask God to show you if He is real and what it all means. If nothing happens for you, then you will be in the same place that you started, with your ego still intact.

Dr. M: In parting, is there anything else that you would like for readers to know about Kim Linton?

Kim: A few days ago another Content Producer messaged me about a problem they were having and ended the message by calling me the Chaplin of Associated Content. I laughed, but I do receive several requests each day from people who need prayer, advice, or just a little encouragement. I may not be an official Chaplin, but no matter your background or beliefs, atheist or agnostic, if you need someone to talk to, feel free to send me a message. I may not have all of the answers, but I will be honest with you and try to help as much as I can. You can count on that.

Dr. M: Thank you Kim for giving me the opportunity to interview you! I'm confident that many readers out there will feel enlightened and inspired by this interview.

Kim: Thank you Dr. Marable for presenting such insightful questions. It's been a pleasure!