Something happened to me on the morning of November 9th of last year. I felt so sad not just as a private citizen but as a faith leader. I felt so sad for what our newly elected administration would mean for the rights of people of color, immigrants, women or any minority groups for that matter. …
pastor
On the Plazas of Stockholm
Life in the Hagan household is on the move! Last week, I was able to join Kevin in representing the American Diabetes Association (ADA) at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Meeting (EASD) in Stockholm, Sweden. At meetings like this, I continue to learn so much about how this ruthless diabetes can be …
Why Do People Leave the Church?
When you go from being the associate pastor to the lead pastor in a congregation, there’s one huge dynamic that changes. You pay close attention to the numbers on the membership roles. Everybody wants to know is the church growing or isn’t it? Everybody wants to know why so and so hasn’t been to church …
4 Things Congregations Need from their Pastor
In my life, I’ve seen the pastor/ congregational relationship from many different angles: Growing up as the child of pastor from birth Serving several congregations as a student intern Leading a congregation as both an associate and senior minister Visiting congregations as an ordained pastor without a church In these situations, I’ve heard a lot …
When Calling Takes You Outside the Church PART ONE
I was taught in seminary that the most virtuous thing you can do for your whole life is to serve the church with an undivided heart. “The church needs you!” my classmates and I were told over and over again. Sometimes our instructions included more details like this: “Take care of the church like nothing …
