Rev. Dr. Jackie Linden-Schade
Rev. Dr. Jackie Linden-Schade
Pastor and Trained Spiritual Director
A graduate of HeartPaths DFW, Jackie is also an ordained Lutheran pastor. Over the years of her service, she has served largely in rural and small-town congregations in Indiana, Nebraska and Illinois. Her congregation in Nebraska taught her the value of what she calls ‘crack and crevice ministry.’
In her first year in that congregation, the practice of the congregation was to select a cedar tree on one of the farms owned by congregation members. Cedar trees are brown, but if they are cut down early enough, the trees will turn green if enough green food coloring is added. As Jackie contemplated those trees, she marveled at how the green coloring managed to get into the cracks and crevices of the small, sharp needles. Her take away was that God manages to show up everywhere, and that there was value exploring the cracks and crevices for signs of growth.
As she looks back now, she realizes that spiritual direction is about being with others, as they explore the cracks and crevices of their own lives, and how God might be showing up in those small spaces.
Jackie currently serves half-time at Preston Meadow Lutheran Church in Plano. Her ministry there includes pastoral care and leading contemplative prayer. She has sensed a tug to serve as a spiritual director for those who wish to explore their relationship with God.
Jackie’s desire is to provide confidential, hospitable space, in which others sense freedom to be fully who they are in that space. She knows the value of asking good questions to support others as they explore the nooks and crannies of their own lives and wonder about God’s presence there. She has a heart for people and committed to her own spiritual growth.
She is open to exploring the possibility of providing spiritual direction to those of other faith traditions, and for those who would describe themselves as ‘spiritual but not religious.’
Her favorite quote describing spiritual direction comes from Eugene H. Peterson:
“It is easier to find guides, someone to tell you what to do, than someone to be with you in a discerning, prayerful companionship as you work it out yourself. This is what spiritual direction is.”
To set up an appointment with Jackie or to contact her with questions, send her a note.
Jackie has been married to her husband Henry for 47 years. They have one son, Christopher, and two grandchildren, Hunter and Auron. She is also a scuba diver, loves to cook Hungarian food for family and friends, and serves as surrogate mother to two delinquent cats.
Education
Master of Divinity Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1984
Doctor of Ministry Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1991
HeartPaths DFW Certificate of Completion in the Art of Spiritual Direction 2020
On the roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Northern Texas/Northern Louisiana Synod