ST. LOUIS (May 22, 2025)—The world is constantly shifting, changing, and moving away from Christianity. This post-Christian culture feels bleak and full of hopelessness for the next generation and the future of many congregations. Yet the current generations are not the first to have faced this struggle. In his new book, Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold: Encouragement for the Church, Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan brings readers 12 different stories and reflections that address the hopelessness and struggle in today’s churches. This new book is available now on CPH’s website.

“Hope is a precious gift of God for all of us who are part of Christ’s church,” Hagan writes. “We live each day in the hope that was given to us in our Baptism and that continually fills us as the Gospel is preached and as we receive Christ’s body and blood. The Gospel is God’s antidote to despair, and it fills us with hope that is sure and certain.”

Each chapter ends with discussion questions to guide readers’ understanding so that they can come to their own conclusions on how to face modern struggles in their own churches. Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold is perfect for church leaders who want to find spiritual encouragement and strengthen the faith in their church members. Hagan’s writing helps readers return to the Word to see how they can find footing to be faithful, hopeful, and bold in their faith through the Holy Spirit.

“If you are a pastor searching for resources to guide a congregation that seems to have lost its way—or if you’re a lay leader grieving over your church’s glory days, this is the book for you . . . ,” says Harold L. Senkbeil, author of The Care of Souls: Cultivating a Pastor’s Heart and Dying to Live: The Foundation, Focus, and Shape of the Christian’s Life, Second Edition. “Tackle this great resource together and you will find encouragement for vibrant mission despite the challenges we face!”

Visit cph.org/hagan for more information about the book. Contact Erica Sontag to schedule an interview with the author.

Praise for Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold

Lee Hagan proves that the days he spent serving as editor of his college newspaper were not squandered. Collecting wisdom gathered in the parish, insights and teaching from a host of theologians spanning centuries, and above all the enduring truth of the Bible, Hagan encourages the church to be what God created her to be: a community of believers who faithfully, confidently, and joyfully live their lives together as followers of Jesus witnessing God’s grace to a broken world.

—Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Clearly, R. Lee Hagan knows what he’s talking about. Responsible for the supervision of the pastors, congregations, schools, and teachers of the Missouri District of the LCMS, he points the way toward confident mission in a confusing, chaotic cultural climate. His guidance is biblically based, administratively aware, and—above all—pastorally sound. If you are a pastor searching for resources to guide a congregation that seems to have lost its way—or if you’re a lay leader grieving over the loss of your church’s glory days, this is the book for you. President Hagan offers twelve reflections on mission in our time. Each is rooted in Scripture, framed in sound Lutheran doctrine, and filled with anecdotes and examples from congregations large and small. Discussion questions conclude each reflection. Tackle this great resource together and you will find encouragement for vibrant mission despite the challenges we face!

—Harold L. Senkbeil, author of The Care of Souls: Cultivating a Pastor’s Heart (Lexham Press, 2019) and Dying to Live: The Foundation, Focus, and Shape of the Christian Life, Second Edition (Concordia Publishing House, 2025)

Is your congregation looking for help and hope? Are you looking for guidance, ideas, and examples of what the Lord has done and is doing on the front lines of Christian Ministry? President (and Pastor) Lee Hagan lifts up the reader with rich Gospel application to these challenging and sometimes discouraging times so we do not stop or give up! As you read Faithful, Hopeful and Bold: Encouragement for the Church, expect to see more opportunities around you, hear the engaging stories of life-giving partnerships, and learn continuing evidence that the Lord remains at work among us and through us! This book can be a part of renewing your congregation and your personal service! Hagan is very aware of what is going on in the church and in our communities, and he offers theological insights, captivating illustrations, and very practical ideas every reader and congregation can apply. It’s a wonderful read, a generous source of congregational discussion and vision, and a worthy resource for you to share with others.

—Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss, president, LCMS Northern Illinois District

Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold—this trinity of adjectives for the church flows from their object—the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our faith in the Trinity gives birth to a certain and unfading hope that lives boldly no matter what we see in the world around us. Drawing from decades of pastoral service and leadership within the church, Lee Hagan delivers practical insight for living as the saints who have gone before us. The church faced significant challenges in the first century. They model how we can do the same in our day—faithful, hopeful, and bold.

—Kevin Golden, associate professor of exegetical theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Many challenges facing congregations today can lead to discouragement and fears. In Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold, Lee Hagan reminds church leaders that our hope is found in Christ, the Head of the church. Declining membership and attendance and other challenges may instill fear in leaders who want their church to grow. Yet Dr. Hagan points us to the Scriptures—the promises of God are not dependent upon our circumstances. Written with church leaders in mind, application questions guide you to be faithful, hopeful, and bold as you face current challenges, whatever they be.

—Ted Kober, author of Unforgivable? (Concordia Publishing House, 2023)

About the Author

Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan serves as president of the Missouri District of the LCMS and as chairman of the LCMS Council of Presidents. He is a 1992 graduate of Concordia College (now University), Seward, Nebraska. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, with a master of divinity in 1996 and doctor of ministry in 2011. Dr. Hagan served as associate pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Evansville, Indiana, from 1996 to 2002. In 2002, he was called to serve as senior pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Concordia, Missouri, where he served until his election as district president in 2015. Additionally, he served as the interim director of LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission from 2011 to 2012 and as an advisory member of the Concordia University System from 2019 to 2022. He has written articles for Lutheran Witness, Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly, Concordia Pulpit Resources, and Missio Apostolica. Dr. Hagan is married to Jill, who works as a speech-language pathologist. They have two children and one grandchild.