Interview With Patrick Mead
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:12 am by Dee O'Neil Andrews
Today's interview is with our blogging Scotsman, Patrick Mead of both Patrick Mead's Blog and Tentpegs. Patrick is also a minister for Rochester Church of Christ near Detroit, Michigan. Hope you enjoy learning more about him.
Part 1 - Basic Interview Questions
1. What's your favorite scripture?
Psalm 27
2. Vital Statistics:
Born December 16, 1956 in Lawrenceville, Illinois.
3. Names of Spouse & Children and birthdays:
Married to Kami Mead (12-10) in June 1979. Children are Kara Kaleen Mead Graves (5-19) and Duncan Taylor MacKay Mead (4-19).
4. What brought you to the location you are now?
I was relentlessly recruited by the former preaching minister, Jerry Tallman, and the elders. It was a six month pursuit before we gave in.
5. Where all have you lived in your life and when?
Way too many places to list. Suffice it to say “seven countries and 11 States.â€
6. What kind of work do you do?
I am the senior preaching and teaching minister at the Rochester Church.
7. What do you love most about your work?
I love telling the good news of Jesus in a way that informs and delights.
8. What do you like least about your work?
I am not good at endless elder and staff meetings and administrative stuff.
My father, for better and worse. Close on his heels would be C.S. Lewis.
Most of my hidden talents should remain that way. I play guitar, ukulele, banjo, and dulcimer, but only when it is just me or the family around.
11. Little known fact about me:
I have worked as a DJ for a rock station, at a frozen food warehouse, as a landscaper, professor, author, researcher, fast food fry cook, police chaplain, prisoner counselor, and bluegrass musician. Oh, and ministry, too.
Part 2 - Favorite Things:
“Reformission†by Mark Driscoll.
2. Favorite Movie:
“Monty Python and the Holy Grailâ€
3. Favorite food:
Thai noodles.
4. Favorite Kind of Music:
Solo acoustic guitar.
5. Favorite musical group or performerz:
Reverend Gary Davis (died 1972. Incredible guitarist, folk musician)
6. Favorite Song:
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps†especially the version by Jake Shimabukuro.
7. Favorite Junk Food:
Chips and chipotle salsa.
8. Favorite childhood memory:
Playing and working with my border collie.
Part 3 - Thought Questions:
1. What is the best meal you have ever eaten?
I have eaten incredible meals on cruise ships, in restaurants within a stone’s throw of Buckingham Palace, and in the homes of millionaires. The best meal I ever had was when a poor, newly wed, unemployed couple asked Kami and me to eat with them.
We were hesitant, knowing that they had nothing. We didn’t want to be a burden, but we didn’t want to hurt their feelings either, so we accepted their invitation. When we got to their terribly tiny, damp flat in the slum of Castlemilk, Glasgow, they had a couple huge buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken they’d bought especially for us since we came from the States.
A couple 2 litre bottles of generic cola was our side dish. We knew they had given their all for us. Even though I don’t eat meat, I did that night and did so gratefully. It tasted like love.
2. Where would you most like to visit that you have never been before?
The Great Wall of China.
3. What is your proudest moment?
Two – seeing my daughter graduate valedictorian, with an armload of awards from the State Governor, colleges, her school, and the community.
Second, seeing my son stand up, raise his right hand, and swear into the US Marine Corps.
4. What do you most regret?
Almost everything from the time I was 20 until I was 30. I was not a good man and if not for the grace of God and Kami I would have been (and should have been) left in a ditch by the side of the road.
5. If money, health, etc, were no concern, what would you do with your time?
I would write mystery and adventure novels while continuing to serve at Rochester Church.
6. What is your favorite book in the Bible and why?
Never really thought about a favorite book. I would probably have to choose the Gospel of John for the way it reveals Jesus. If I could only have one book of the Bible, I would agree with Martin Luther and choose Romans.
I love reading Patrick’s blogs. My copy of his favorite book arrived just yesterday … purchased because of his comments. Being a guitarist and banjoist (is that a word?), I appreciate his talent and the fact that he just got a T-5!! But that he plays dulcimer impresses me even more. There is a DVD out of Rich Mullins playing a dulcimer and singing and he never as much as glances down at that multi-stringed instrument!
Thanks, Patrick, for sharing yourself with us.
BTW, not a word about two doctoral degrees in a field of study that I can neither pronounce nor spell!
Good interview Patrick. I like this format Dee. Good work.
puhleeze… have you SEEN who they give doctorates to? Nothing to brag about there.
By the way, I would have expanded on my comments had I known that was acceptable.
And I would have made myself taller.
And a hunk.
I take solace in the any-minute-now awarding of my photos the grand prize in Dee’s contest. (Dee, the you-know-what is in the you-know-where)
Tell you what, Patrick -
Just write all your extended answers out either in comment or I’ll send you all the questions again and we’ll do a second interview. I mean, it’s not quite the same as winning any of the grand prizes awarded in the 2nd Annual FDWDPC, but it ranks right up there. We’d like to hear more, you tall hunk of a guy!
As for the “you-know-what being in the you-know-where,” I certainly do! The rest of you will just have to rest assured that someone of both Patrick’s and the 2nd Annual FDWDPC Judges’ credentials are staying on the up and up throughout the entire 2nd Annual FDWDPC proceedings.
(BTW, Patrick - how many colors can one get if one were to get - say - a free tattoo from the esteemed group known as Sacred Ink? And would one have the choice of a nice color scheme with which to decorate one’s body? And would . . .)
Great idea here, Dee!
Patrick: I really enjoyed your crisp replies. I mean this as a most sincere compliment when I say that your responses made me think of Popeye the Sailor Man. Remember: I Yam What I Yam?
Blessings to you and yours,
-bill
It seems like only yesterday that Patrick Mead showed up on the TheoBloggers.com doorsteps and said he’d like to play with us. I remember us TheoBlogger people asking ourselves, “Who’s Patrick Mead?” To which none of us had an answer. I can see now that we need to get our heads out of our computer screens occasionally and update ourselves on the who’s who list.
Dee,
We seem to run in the same circles.
I enjoyed the Patrick Mead interview. Funny thing, everytime I try to post on his site my computer locks up and I have to reboot. I don’t know if any of my posts ever get through but think its funny. I like Patrick but he sure causes a lot of trouble
Take care,
Sisterly,
Paula
I love Patrick Mead’s blog, so thanks so much for posting his interview, Dee. Who knew he doesn’t eat meat?
Paula, the reason your computer locks up is that Tommy is trying his best to thwart the photo competition Dee’s running. He’s trying his best to shut this site down rather than have the inevitable happen… him losing yet again.
To me.
Nancy
I’ve sent in my pictures, they will speak for themselves…what about you Nancy? Have you sent in a picture yet?
I hate to bring this up… but my mother sent me an article from the local hometown, once a week, county newspaper. There was this article about some strange goings on a couple of counties over. It seems that this strange couple from France (I think they messed this part up) were trying to corrupt the local culture by bringing a bunch of Yankees in to somehow overtake “Mule Day” and plan on (get this) have Wal-mart drive every business in town out if they don’t carry this book called “Red State of Mind”.
Anyway the paper called it the “Columbia Catfish/Mule War”.
Like I said, I hate to bring it up…
Wal-Mart really should carry that book… I hear it’s awesome… But not if the French are requesting it.
On a side note, we have neighbors called the “English” family. Isn’t that a much better last name?
I have not sent in a photo yet, Thomas, thanks for asking. I figured it was just a matter of time before poor Dee turns on her computer and there’s nothing but a smiling photo of you on her screen.
Nancy -
I’ve got smiling photos on my screen, but none of Tommy yet. There is a cute one of a baby boy and a snowman and then this other kind of strange one that Tommy sent, but none of himself. Yet, anyway. But there IS still time. A week and a half, so better get those photos in. (How about the one you already have of the jagunda catfish in the snow? That would qualify!)
It would? I guess snow IS water!
Great interview with one of my favorite bloggers. I would love to spend some time with him in real life one day. I like what he says so much … I just think we would be good friends.
I feel the same way aobut you, Dee!
After seeing tons of links here, finally stopped by. I look forward to more. God bless
[…] from her interview below. Patrick, of course, if you remember from his recent interview (here) is the pulpit minister for the Rochester church of Christ in Rochester, Michigan. I think […]