First we introduced the United Church of Paducah's Holy Hottie Karen Winkel. Now meet Pastor Linda McKnight! This Bible-quoting beauty is smart, funny and loves life as much as she loves her three congregations. And she's got that Bible thing down pat. Praise the Lord and pass the email address — Linda McKnight is a total hottie!Linda McKnight, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! And another Holy Hottie! Do you know our original Hottie of the Holies, Karen Winkel at the United Church of Paducah?
I haven’t met Karen, but women pastors in general are great people. You have to be willing to step out and challenge the norm if you’re going into the pastorate. It’s definitely not for the feint of heart!
What drew you to the ministry?
Never in a million years did I think I would be a pastor. I’ve felt drawn to the ministry since I was 21, but I always thought I would be involved some type of mission. However, I didn’t go into the ministry until I was 37.
What did you do before?
I was in corporate risk management and global insurance brokerage. When I went to seminary, I went with the intention of training to be a missionary. But God had other ideas and called me to be a pastor. It’s truly been a blessing. I love what I do and the people in my churches.
And Sundays are big days, yes?Yes, I pastor three United Methodist Churches in the Murray area.
Which ones?
I have worship at Coles Campground at 8:50 a.m. on Sundays, then at Temple Hill at 10 a.m., and Independence at 11 a.m.
Many times there are afternoon meetings or I visit people. I teach the youth on Wednesday nights. They are a blast! I’ve never had kids, and these teenagers are the best! Most of the rest of the week is devoted to study and preparation for Sunday, attending various meetings and visiting members who are sick.
What do you enjoy about the ministry?
I love helping others. One aspect I particularly enjoy is visiting those who are sick or alone. People really love someone to care about them and give them time and some conversation.
What's the toughest part?
Officiating at funerals. It’s the last honor paid to the deceased, and I want it to be perfect and a wonderful memory for folks of their loved one.
Do you ever get teary when you do funerals?
Not so far.
How about weddings?
I’ve done two weddings so far. Both were sort of spur-of-the-moment, so I didn’t know the couple beforehand. Once I had a pastor in eastern Kentucky call me and ask to fill in for her at a wedding she was conducting the next day. She had an emergency and wasn’t able to make it. She called me two hours before the rehearsal — there was no ceremony planned so the bride and groom and I had to make some quick decisions!
Do you get to flirt at weddings?
Not so far — but maybe at the next one there will be someone interesting.
Oh, I hope so! Are you from this area?
No. I’m originally from Memphis but I’ve lived all over: Orlando, Chicago, Guam, Napa Valley, Birmingham, Nashville and Lexington.
Wow, what caused you to move so much?
When I was in corporate risk management and commercial insurance brokerage, I moved a couple of times for my work. Before that, I served in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician and was stationed at various places around the world.
Electronics technician? How did you get into that?When I entered the Navy, I had no idea what I wanted to do. After boot camp, I was in a general aviation class and doing well. So they offered me any school I wanted to go to. Electronics seemed interesting — at least at the time!
Where has been your favorite place to live?
Napa Valley. It was absolutely gorgeous. I first started riding bikes there up the Silverado Trail passing vineyards for miles.
I hope you made some stops along the way! Which is your favorite vineyard?
Far Niente. The husband of a good friend of mine worked there. He was in charge of maintenance of the vineyard, captain of the owner’s yacht and crew leader for his racing team. The wine is great too!
And Guam! Wow!
I did a lot of sailing and scuba diving there — it's some of the best diving in the world! I once did a 140-foot dive to the deck of a Japanese war ship that sunk in Guam Harbor during WWII.
Then God called you?
Not exactly. I first discerned what I thought could be a calling when I was teaching electronics in California for the Navy. I talked about it with the pastor of the church I was attending at the time. His advice was to try doing something else first. If it was a true calling, I wouldn’t be content until I entered the ministry. He was right. I went to seminary 14 years later.
Where did you go?
I went to Asbury Theological Seminary and graduated in 2005. That's when I moved to Murray. I've been a pastor for three years now.
Have you met a lot of people in Murray?
I’ve met quite a few, and I’ve made some good friends at the gym I go to. I’ve always lived in big cities, and it’s been an experience living in a small town. Every time I go to Wal-Mart it seems I run into someone I know.
Rock on! So have you read the whole Bible? Cover to cover?
I’ve read the Bible cover to cover at least four times so far. I’ve lost track because every day I read three to four chapters, so I’m constantly reading it through.
What's your favorite verse?
Let’s see, there are so many. The one God keeps telling me is Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In other words, I don’t have to worry. God is in control. Everything works out for the best when I let him provide direction. God always has our best interests at heart.
Which verse is the most challenging for you to live by and preach?
I would have to say it’s Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'” This was some of Jesus’ first teachings — the Sermon on the Mount. Some people are hard to love. Particularly those who hurt others.
Amen, sister.
But Jesus never said it was going to be easy.
He got that right, no doubt about it! What key messages do you try to impart in your sermons?
The love, grace and mercy of God. God is love. Not judgment. There’s a saying, “God loves us just as we are. But he’s not content to leave us as we are.”
We all have maturing to do in our faith, and it shows in the way we live our lives and treat others. As we grow in our faith, we are transformed into the image of Christ. This is what we call fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
It's gotta be more difficult to date when you're in the ministry. Are men always watching their Ps and Qs around you?I think my occupation tends to make people nervous. People tend to put pastors and ministers on a pedestal as being “perfect” Christians. I’ll let you in on a secret — we’re not!
Oh, come on. You gotta be close….
Not by a long shot. The group of friends that I ride bikes with aren’t church folks. At first, they felt like they had to watch themselves around me. But when they got to know me, they found out I was just like anybody else. Now there isn’t a problem.
A problem with dating though is that the pool of available Christian men who are my age and OK with women pastors is pretty small.
Maybe you need to go a little younger!
Maybe so. In the past three weeks, I’ve had some 20 year olds flirt with me. That’s been a real ego boost!
Excellent! That's because you're such a Holy Hottie! What kind of fella are you looking for?
I like men who are educated, smart, confident, strong, interesting, physically active and treat me like a lady. I like a man who opens doors for me, helps me with my coat and all the other old-fashioned gestures that seem to have disappeared. He gets bonus points if he likes to hike, camp, backpack, make me laugh, and will cook me dinner!
He also must be a Christian.
So non-Christians need not apply?
Dating a non-Christian is what I call missionary dating. Being a Christian is central to who I am. I can’t imagine not having Christ in my life. I have some good friends who are not Christians — at least not yet! But a man must be a committed Christian for us to have enough in common to form a relationship.
Ah, got it. So I know you enjoy the 40/50 Group.I like the people. They’re interesting and fun, and there are usually new people each time we meet. I like meeting people outside my normal circle.
It is such a cool group. And you're an avid cyclist!
I ride my bike a couple of times a week — anywhere from 30 to 60 miles.
Wow! What kind of bike?
A Trek 650 road bike. And I work out at the gym. I lift weights, do the aerobics class and I do the cardio machines. It's part of my daily social time. I work from my home, so getting out with people is important to me. I’ve met some really cool people there.
I bet you're a big reader, too.
Yes, definitely. I love John Grisham, Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum.
Well Linda McKnight, I think you're dar-ling! There is no doubt that men will be flocking to all three of your Sunday services! Preach on, Linda McKnight!
