Meet Rachel

[Meet Rachel Held Evans] – Q&A; with the Devo Diva

Every time I meet another 20-something that writes and speaks I get giddy. Can you tell?

Here’s a list of questions I came up for Miss Money Town girl in hopes of getting to know her more!

1. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I’m 28. I know way more about football than most girls (me too). I write—books, poems, blog posts, articles, letters to myself. I read—books, newspapers, blogs, the back of cereal boxes, whatever I can find.

My husband and I met in psychology class (no fair) when I was a freshman in college, and we’ve been married for six years (I hate you, j/k). I have a higher tolerance to bluegrass music than most people. I’m insecure about a lot of things—the way I walk, the way I write, the way I cook (have you seen Julie & Julia?), the way I relate to God.

I live in Dayton, Tennessee—home of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. Sometimes I worry that maybe God doesn’t exist or that maybe He doesn’t really love us like He says He does. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been inexplicably drawn to Jesus Christ. I’m curious about a lot of things, and I ask a lot of questions.

2. So you have a new book coming out with Zondervan.

That’s what they tell me! It’s my first book (yay you’re in good company), and it’s about growing up in an apologetics-driven Christian subculture only to seriously question my faith as a young adult. It will be on shelves in July of 2010, but you can pre-order it now.

3. How did you come up with the title of Monkey Town?

The title is Evolving in Monkey Town: How a Girl Who Knew All the Answer Learned to Ask the Questions. I’m really happy that Zondervan decided to keep my original title. Part of it is just a fun play on words because Dayton has been known as Monkey Town ever since the Scopes Trial, in which John T. Scopes was tried for teaching the theory of evolution public schools. But the title also fits because much of the book is about how faith has an incredible ability to adapt to change in order to survive, both on a broad, historic level and on an individual level. I used to think that faith was at its best when it stayed the same, when it simply stood its ground and refused to budge. This book is about discovering that faith grows stronger as it changes, as it evolves—hence the title, Evolving in Monkey Town (I love it and finally understand it .

4. What are some of your daily responsibilities?

Well, in the past I’ve done a lot of freelance writing and marketing work, but now I’m trying to focus more on my own stuff—my books, my blog, speaking, that sort of thin (me too, want to do it together?)

5. If people want to book you as a speaker where can they go/and what do you speak on?

Well, I’d really like to speak about college football and how the Alabama Crimson Tide is certain to win the BCS Championship game against Texas in January (uuuugh Go Big Red!)…but I also like to talk about doubt, postmodernism, religious pluralism, authenticity, and what I like to call Generation Why—young adults whose heightened exposure to information about the world around them often triggers serious questions about Christianity. I like doing events where I have a lot of time to talk to people and get to know them better. Anyone who is interested can email me through the contact page on my Web site.

6. What is your heart for twenty-somethings (my favorite Q of course)?

I love twenty-somethings! (I love you!) My prayer for my generation is that we learn to navigate this new, information-packed world with curiosity and wisdom and compassion. I hope we live with open minds and hearts, remembering that faith is not about defending conquered ground, but about discovering new territory. We are a very connected generation, so I pray that we use that connectedness to do big things together, like tackle world hunger, pursue reconciliation within the Church, and embody an alternative to the materialism and self-centeredness that is such a part of our culture. I also hope we invent flying cars…cause I thought for sure we’d have those by now (that’s hilarious).

Please welcome Rachel by leaving her a comment or five. Feel free to check out her site at http://www.rachelheldevans.com and don’t forget to Pre-Order a copy of her book.