Change

By by Mike Hagan, President

April 21, 2007

"It's about the 'C' word," I said, when answering a query from a colleague. Immediately my assistant, Cindy, came back with, "Oh, you mean ? 'change.'" Yes, indeed.  This wonderful word has received a bad reputation with too many people stamping it with negative connotations. But when we announce two new professors coming in July ? Dr. Gary Strickland as professor of pastoral care and director of the doctor of ministry program, coming from the pastorate in South Carolina, and Dr. Vladimir Kharlamov as assistant professor of spiritual theology, recently graduated from doctoral studies ? it is viewed as good news, exciting news.  Indeed, good stuff; but, don't forget, it is "change."  Of course, they are both Baptists.  That tempers the change factor, but still "change."

Or when we get the news that our second grandson, Miles Stanley Hagan, has been born, that's good news.  By the way, since you asked, 9 lbs. 6 oz., 20 ¼ inches, black hair, born at 1:18 PM in southern California on April 10.  Talk about change, however!  Here it is in a little bundle that will turn brother Kiernan's world topsy-turvy (he blurted out when he first saw Miles, "What's that?"), will change the sleep habits of mom and dad, will impact family dynamics for years to come, and will expend our travel dollars for grandma to visit (not to mention the presents, etc.).  Oh, my!

I've always viewed change with excitement and anticipation.  My curiosity and imagination are such that change simply means newness, life, more things to examine and think about, brainstorming, facilitation, fun. So the good news is that we will always have change.  Let's embrace it for the health of the future. The bad news is that it does require discomfort.  Let's make the bad minimal to enjoy the good.