Sure, Black Panther is a fantasy film about action heroes, but it’s not so far from real life either. Citizens of the continent of Africa are strong. They are hardworking. They are dreaming big about their future and would like us to see them that way.
5 ways the Church doesn’t understand those struggling to be mothers
Statistics suggest that 1 in 8 couples face infertility each year. What do they say about the Mother’s Day holiday? Many couples say their faith community is the least safe place when it comes to their baby-making woes.
The Ebola crisis: watch your language
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan Early in August, I traveled with a Feed the Children delegation to Kenya to visit school feeding programs and a Nairobi orphanage, as I now do about twice a year. Part of my morning routine while there…
Leave Jesus out of the Fourth of July
On this 4th of July weekend, I exhort you, American preachers, do not take Uncle Sam into the pulpit. Carefully consider how you plan worship for this Sunday. A good place to start would be: do not sing “America the…
Two for the price of one
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan Growing up in a male-centric church culture, it was not uncommon for me to hear the phrase growing up in relation to pastors and their wives: “Oh, wow, isn’t is great that the preacher’s wife is…
Summer Reading
When people ask me what my hobbies are, I usually feel quite lost. I’m not sure exactly what to say because I don’t naturally gravitate toward activities that seem hobby worthy (getting pedicures just doesn’t count does it?). But, there…
Out of season
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan At the church I currently attend, they take the concept of Easter-as-a-season quite seriously. The scriptural phrase “He is not here, he risen as he said” is printed on the front cover of each week’s bulletin….
Wisdom of staying put
If you are like me, you are probably always looking for the next great adventure around the corner. How can I get a better job? What can be changed in my routines to give me more peace? How could I…
I left the church. Don’t hate me
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan Five years ago now, I found myself in a position countless said I’d never be in. I was installed as the pastor of a Baptist congregation. I was 28. In response to this new call, I…