David L Hansen

A Pastoral Letter Concerning Immigration and Violence

David Hansen — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:08:40 +0000

“Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were once immigrants.” Leviticus 19:34 Dear friends, The conflict in our country over immigration, immigrant rights, and enforcement reached a fever pitch last week with the on-camera shooting of an observer (Renee Good) who was watching the actions of…

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An Affirming Faith

David Hansen — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:27:36 +0000

I grew up in the belt buckle of the Bible belt. When I would tell classmates that I was Lutheran, they would look at me for a moment and then ask “Is that Christian?” When I became a pastor, I stayed in the South – moving to some of the most conservative areas in Texas. All that is to say, the Christianity that I have lived around has always been a Christianity of Exclusion. For the people whom…

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Race & Faith Reading List

David Hansen — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 19:41:39 +0000

As I head out on my 2025 Mini-Sabbatical my desire to learn about Race and Faith in America has been shaped by the recent history of our country, my experiences in congregational ministry, and my own learning over the last several years. You can read more about my sabbatical here. In many ways, the current trajectory of my own faith and of the ministry of Spirit of Joy!

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A Civil Rights Pilgrimage

David Hansen — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:26:43 +0000

As a part of my 2025 mini-sabbatical, I will be embarking on a personal Civil Rights Pilgrimage. You can read more about the sabbatical here. I will be driving through Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia for about 2 weeks. I have planned several stops along the way – although I expect that others will pop up as I travel. To be clear – these are not all the important places to…

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A Learning Pastor

David Hansen — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:21:13 +0000

Every church wants a BETTER pastor. Even churches with great pastors would like them to be better. One of the best things a congregation can do is to encourage their pastor to be – and to continue to be – a learning pastor. A pastor who is learning and growing in their faith, is also learning and growing as a pastor, preacher, guide, and leader. And growing pastors tend to lead growing…

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Churches & Cinco de Mayo

David Hansen — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:49:01 +0000

The congregation I serve is having a celebration on May 5 — which quickly became Cinco de Mayo themed. Living and ministering here in Texas, the influence of Hispanic and Latin American culture is hard to miss. And at the same time, it has been far too common for us with European roots to demean and belittle those neighboring cultures (whether intentionally or accidentally). So as we turn the…

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Readings for Holy Week

David Hansen — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:53:56 +0000

Following are a series of readings and prayers to guide personal prayer and reflection for Holy Week (the week between Palm Sunday and Easter) The Entry into Jerusalem Primary Reading: Mark 11:1-11 Other Readings: 1 Kings 1:32-40, Zechariah 9:9-17 “Remember finally, that the ashes on your forehead are created from the burnt palms of last Palm Sunday. New beginnings invariably come…

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A Pastoral Letter Concerning Violence in the Holy Land

David Hansen — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:14:14 +0000

I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built like a city joined together in unity. That is where the tribes go up— the Lord’s tribes! It is the law for Israel to give thanks there to the Lord’s name, because the thrones of justice are there— the thrones of the house of David!

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Why Do You Wear a Black Robe?

David Hansen — Tue, 02 May 2023 21:11:26 +0000

The question comes up every time I attend a clergy gathering: “Why do you wear a black robe?” I wear a cassock – a long black robe, generally used by Anglicans and Roman Catholics for non-Communion services. I don’t wear the smaller white robe over it, just the black. Most clergy in liturgical churches – in churches who wear robes – wear white robes, called “Albs.” In fact, the word alb is the…

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Supporting Your Pastor

David Hansen — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 20:13:16 +0000

There have been numerous articles over the last couple of years about how the great resignation is affecting clergy and churches. It seems clear that we have had an increase in the number of clergy of every denomination and faith leaving congregational ministry in this season. Personally, I have seen more friends and colleagues leave congregational ministry in the last three years than at any…

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