I’m a 30 something female originally out of a tradition that does not ordain women but yet I am a pastor because I found another family of Baptists to call home. I am a proud 2002 graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, AL and a 2006 graduate of Duke Divinity School where I learned to appreciate good basketball among many other important truths. I moved to the Washington DC area full-time after completing seminary and have been in love with the city ever since. I can’t think of a more diverse, challenging and fun place that I’d ever want to live.
My life goal is to learn how to be a human being. I want to know my Creator, to give and receive love, to respect others as much as I do myself, to use the resources of time, talent and finances I have for the good of the world.
Vocationally, as I see it now, my calling is lived out as a pastor in the American Baptist/ Alliance of Baptist tradition, a writer, as wife to Kevin, as a friend of many of the people that I admire the most, and as a member of the Evans/Hagan family tree.
Over the past several years, I’ve come to believe that the Christian path is not the only way to God, but confidently claim Jesus. In my preaching, teaching and writing, I seek to lead the congregation I serve to see the beauty in the traditions in what others who have come before us have treasured and taught us.
I’m an advocate of spaces in the church for open non-judgmental conversation on social topics that matter so deeply where our society finds itself today. I’m so proud to be the pastor of a church that allows my voice to be as authentic as theirs already is!
I believe writing and the pastoral vocation go hand in hand. Blogging is just a natural part of my ongoing conversation with the church. I see this blog as a space apart from the obligations and responsibilities I have as pastor of a particular church to be a catalyst of many of the questions, frustrations, and possibilities I see ahead for communities of faith like the one I’m in, for the pastors like myself who will lead (or not lead them) in the future, and resources available for faith seekers but don’t want to lose their spirituality through connection with religion. I’m always interested in growing in the art of pastoring.
Preacher on the Plaza won’t be exclusively about my congregation, although stories of hope from this community will be featured. And, it won’t be full of merely personal rants either. For I know that my church and my life experiences are merely a grain of sand in the larger story.
I hope to connect readers to others who are asking similar questions and who are looking for honest answers (even if the truth hurts a little).
I’m excited about the journey,
Pastor Elizabeth
Note: that any comments I share on this blog are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my entire congregation, denomination or all people of faith.
#1 by Lisa Bachman on March 18, 2009 - 1:47 pm
Hey Elizabeth!
We had an awesome weekend visiting with you and your congregation! We all feel so energized and encouraged!
I wondered if some of your folks would like to join with us to attend a Harvest of Hope Intergenerational weekend in Fincastle, Virginia in September. I don’t know if you are familiar with the Harvest of Hope. It is an educational and gleaning event, very Christian and sponsored by the Society of St. Andrew. Check it out at endhunger.org search for Harvest of Hope. This will be our third year to go and we are taking two groups to two different weekend events. It is life changing!!! This would be a great way for our congregations to stay connected.
#2 by Tripp on June 10, 2009 - 5:46 pm
Nice to find you. Hope all is well in your ministry. Blessings!
#3 by Cindy whitlow on September 23, 2010 - 4:43 pm
So….Elizabeth……I guess I need to just dedicate a morning to reading all the articles in your archives. I certainly enjoyed the few I have had time to read this morning. You were such an inspiration during your stay at New Sharon and you continue to be…even from a distance. Many times Kenny and I think of you and how much we enjoyed the twinkle in your eye and your enthusiasm. May God continue to richly bless you!
#4 by Jim Barnette on October 25, 2010 - 5:51 pm
Elizabeth–Great article on “being off duty.” I passed it out to my Formation for Ministry class, as we have been discussing boundaries. Keep up the great work. Your alma mater is very proud!
#5 by annawoofenden on October 9, 2011 - 10:38 pm
Elizabeth,
Reading your story here touched me. Thank you for sharing a snap-shot of your journey and how God’s led you. I’m inspired to see a woman who’s come out of a tradition where one’s gifts weren’t seen or honored and moves with strength and grace into a new space.
I spent 12 years working for a denomination I loved in many ways, but eventually had to leave because God’s calling me to ordained ministry wouldn’t keep quiet. I’m now joyfully in the thick of seminary and regularly stop in amazement for all that God is opening and moving in and around me. It’s an exciting journey and I’m curious what God has in mind!
I look forward to following your blog and your journey.
Peace and blessings,
Anna
#6 by Glenn Buzbee on December 23, 2011 - 5:12 pm
I just found your blog. Your journey of faith as a pastor and a person is a lot closer to its beginning point than mine. What I mean is I’ve been “pastoring” in the Presbyterian tradition for a little over 25 years, out of a second career background that led me to seminary and ministry in my mid-late 30s. You appear to be a far-wiser person at your early stage of ministry than I was back in my earlier days of being a church “professional” (and maybe still less wise in my early 60s than you are today). In any case, thank you for sharing your viewpoints and sense of ministry and of what it means to be a human being here in your blog. For those of us like myself who are still working on these things, or just discovering more work is needed, this is a true breath of fresh air or Holy Spirit that is blessedly refreshing. Merry Christmas to you, even if you and your Music Director are the only two in worship on Sunday. Have a safe and joyful journey to wherever your family may be gathering to celebrate love, remember old and make new memories, and mark our Lord’s birth.
#7 by Leisa A. Hammett on February 19, 2012 - 5:28 pm
Bravo & bless you for your journey, your spirit of authenticity, for your courage, for your openness expressed here, and for the recognition that social media is a must for communicating our messages, whatever they may be in this complex modern world. And especially, I appreciate the nod toward universalism. I’ve been there for going on 27 years and it was through my work as an 11-year communicator with Southern Baptists that I realized that for me, my truth, is how arrogant (my judgment) we’d be (are) to say that there is but one way for all of God’s people to know him/her. It is my truth that we must shift from this old paradigm of exclusitivity to unite as the One of all God’s people going forth in this new world of greater change. Eckhart Tolle was spot on in his book, A New Earth.
#8 by Rosemary on March 3, 2012 - 11:56 pm
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you and I thank God for you and your willingness to be the vessel to deliver me the right message at the right time.
…and thank you to Anna (#5).
I have been going through. I receive my call to ministry a couple of years ago. I immediately began seeking teachers and then went to school.
————————————-
Things have been so crazy. I would tell you it all but that type of information is only harmful.
I thank you for your testimony because it gives me encouragement.
—re: license and ordination
May God continue to bless and guide you.
#9 by Merianna Neely (@MeriannaNeely) on April 13, 2012 - 11:01 pm
Hey Elizabeth,
Just read your article on ABP…What an awesome perspective! I am currently researching Digital Literacy and the church for my Christian Ethics Class. Would love to follow you on Twitter! What’s your username?
Merianna