Narrative Summary
Interview with Terri Blackmon by Ali Jemes
Terri Blackmon was born in Nebraska during the 1950s, but eventually found her way to
Springfield, Missouri. She was raised by Presbyterian parents and stayed in that particular
denomination until after college when she married a man who was headed to seminary to
become a pastor in the Methodist church. When she was a teenager, she had her conversion
experience on a youth mission trip in New Mexico and felt her calling to go into some form of
ministry, although she did not know exactly what she would do. She said that even throughout
her teen years, she still had a strong faith in the Lord and looking back, she sees that God was
shaping her for His plan.
Terri attended Nebraska Wesleyan University for her undergraduate degree and doublemajored in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. Her initial plan before
marrying was to go to medical school, but she quickly learned that was not possible with a
Methodist minister for a husband. They had to move to a new church every two years, so going
through schooling, interning, and residency would be impossible with the next move looming on
the horizon.
While married to her husband, she had the experience of life as a pastor’s wife, which is
such a unique role to be in. She described it as a calling where the entire family is called, not just
the single person. It took up every minute of her life, as she and her husband were expected to
always be available when they were needed. She directed camps, planned retreats and bible
studies, and did whatever else was needed of her in that particular role. While it can be extremely
draining at times due to the ever-present filter needed when talking to anyone in the
congregation, she said that it ultimately prepared her for her calling to be in ministry. She is now
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the Christian Education Director at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church.
This job encompasses so many different things and I could see how her experience in life
put her in a position to where this job was for her. It took being a pastor’s wife to prepare her and
someone else in a local congregation noticing her talents and gifts to find her the job she has
now. It started out as a part-time job, because at the time the position was first open, that’s all
that was needed and it was all she could give spiritually and emotionally. Over time, as she took
on more responsibilities, the job became full-time and she definitely saw it as her personal
calling. This job involves overseeing all education at all ages, planning retreats and classes, and
running an in-depth Bible study, among many other things. Without her trust in God, it would be
near impossible to organize and orchestrate so many of these different things.
Her faith is such a central part in her life. When I asked about her daily life, she described
her definition of the word faith, which is a set of beliefs in your head, but that it also extends
beyond that into a personal relationship with God. She sees Him as constant throughout all
suffering and as the only relationship that will never fail. She said that her relationship with Him
is the only thing that will always be there and the He is who he says He is and is constant. She
spoke so passionately about her relationship and her faith in God. I found that as the interview
progressed, we got on the topic of a few theological questions because of my interests outside the
classroom.
I asked her what her core beliefs are and she had many things she saw as nonnegotiables.
She believes that she’s on a path to sanctification, but will continue to fall short until eternity
with God. She thinks that the Apostles Creed contains core beliefs and that there will be some
practices or issues Christians may disagree on, but the core beliefs are what are important. Terri
has such strong beliefs and many scriptures passages that she relies on to get her through tough
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times. She admitted to having questions at different points in her life, but always had a constant
faith and has not had any periods where she left the faith. She also said that she has not
personally experienced any resistance to her being a woman in ministry. While growing up,
women still had their respectable places, but by the time she entered into the adult world, no one
scoffed at her intentions. It helps that she is in a pretty progressive denomination in regards to
women having a place in ministry. Terri’s faith in her relationship with God is strong and
beautiful and she uses it to accomplish wonderful events and classes for her congregations. She
cares more about hearing other people’s stories than telling her own and is a fantastic woman to
have in a church leadership position.
Missouri State University
Fall 2008
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women