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Kennetha Bigham-Tsai
Associate Pastor
517-281-5035
kbigham@tds.net
University United Methodist is Rev. Bigham-Tsai's first
assignment as a pastor. Previously she was Director of Children and Family
Ministries at Trinity UMC, Grand Rapids, and Director of the Grand Rapids
District Peace With Justice Community. She has worked with children in alcohol
and substance abuse programs and in children's educational publishing. She is a
graduate of Harvard and of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin,
Texas. She and her husband Kee, an engineer for Pfizer, have a seven-year-old
son, Keeton.
Q: So what has been your impression of UUMC so far?
A: My first impression was realizing how diverse the
congregation is. You've got people coming from MSU, and you've got people coming
from a large geographical base. It's a dynamic, open, diverse congregation.
People seem to be excited and have a lot of energy. We have a lot of kids, and
that's a real positive. It's a great appointment.
Q: What are your goals for the job you have now, and for
your ministry in general?
A: I'm also chair of the Board of Church in Society (a
West Michigan Conference position), so I have two ministry areas that come together for me
theologically. My goal for UUMC is to help facilitate what I consider the
realization of discipleship -- which is both spiritual nurture and growth and
development -- and being able to act that out in ways with integrity in the
world, through missions and social justice. My idea of forming the Christian
disciple is to help people develop a deep personal piety that is lived out in
relationships to other people and to the world at large.
Q: What about goals for your ministry career?
A: If I had to say what my goal is -- it would be to just
pastor, and to pastor well...to know that I have been a part of helping a church
or churches. I don't have any particular, set five-year plan. I don't think
about it that way. I want to be in a place of discernment, to know where God is
leading me. And once I'm there, I need to do my best. I'm here now, and I'm
convinced this is the right place for me to be.
Q: What inspires you?
A: A lot of things inspire me. Meaningful, creative,
innovative worship inspires me. I'm inspired when people do things that are
courageous. I'm inspired when people stand up for justice. I think that's
something that's very courageous. I'm inspired when a difficult relationship is
reconciled.
Q: What concerns you?
A: The war. I was one of those people walking around with a
peace sign during the buildup to the war in Washington D.C. I think about Old
Testament times, and there were times of mourning that are described in the
Bible, where people put on sack cloth, and there was weeping and moaning. I'm
just concerned that we didn't do more weeping and moaning before. There was a
lot of fear because of the horrible events of Sept. 11. There was this national
pain that was going on. But when we made a decision to go to war, in some ways,
I think we were so inured to violence that we didn't weep. Do you understand
what it means when that military officer comes to the door and tells a mother
that her son is gone? If you really do understand that, then you don't see
banners that say "These colors don't run" or hear words like "Bring 'em on."
I've got two friends who have sons in Iraq and every time they call me there's
this little bit of fear. It's not even my own child. But it could be 15 years
from now.
Q: What is your favorite Bible verse or parable.
A: There are so many. In Isaiah 43: 1-4, where it talks
about how you are precious and honored in my sight. And it talks about a sense
of God's love. The passage in Matthew 25: 31-46...where it says, "When I was in
prison you came to visit me. When I was hungry, you fed me, and when I was
thirsty, you gave me a drink. When you did this for the least of these, you did
it for me." And then all of Romans 8. If I had to pick one, I'd have to say the
greatest commandment (Mat 22: 36-40): "Love the Lord your God." That's what it's
about.
Q: What's your favorite book, other than the Bible?
A: I like poetry. One of my favorite books of poetry is by
Alice Walker, and it's called "Horses Make a Landscape Look More Beautiful."
Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: I don't watch a lot of movies. I'll have to think about
that one.
Q: Favorite song or singer?
A: Yolanda Adams.
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