Rev. Dr. JJ Flag at UCC

by JJ Flag on October 13, 2023

Rev. Dr. JJ Flag Shares an Update from Trip to UCC

One of the joys of being a minister at MPBC is knowing that I did not have to forfeit my affiliation with the denomination which ordained me to serve this congregation. I am proudly ordained as a Minister in the United Church of Christ. As such, I serve on several boards within the denomination and often have the opportunity to be a part of teaching and training leaders within the denomination and beyond. Most recently, I had a great time spending a few days in early October with organizational and institutional change makers as a presenter at the UCC's Nollau Leadership Institute. Getting to be with CHHSM: the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of the UCC staff members, along with this year’s Nollau Leadership Institute class was a gift. It was my honor to present on the topic of Disability and Leadership in the world today. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Nollau, please check out this article here.

About the Author

JJ Flag

Dr. JJ Flag received his Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry at Drew University Theological School. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ, completed multiple units of Clinical Pastoral Education, and has served as both a university and hospital chaplain. Prior to his work in chaplaincy, he was on the pastoral staff of Turning Point and Princeton United Methodist Churches in New Jersey. Most recently, Dr. Flag was Pastor of Emmanuel Congregational Church, and United Church of Christ in Watertown NY.  Beyond his work in the Church, he is a member of numerous denominational and local community boards and often lectures on college and university campuses, contributes to podcasts centering matters of theology, faith, disability, and race.

Dr. Flag is gifted at connecting with people across lines of difference, and he has a passion for creatively engaging in ministry around issues of social justice. Rev. Dr. Flag takes prophetic stances in ways that remain accessible while calling people to more fully live into God’s love. He engages his own social location in ways that reflect sensitivity to the negotiation of power in community and deep valuing of those around him, both colleagues and those to whom he ministers. Dr. Flag is a person of faith who is constantly willing to learn and grow—even sometimes change—his theology as he encounters new perspectives and persons. His engagement with the divine and other human beings is dynamic. 

 JJ is married to Ebony, and they have two daughters: Arianna and Mikayla.

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