Dr. Marvin Morgan
Pilgrim Congregational Church, United Church of Christ announced the calling of Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Morgan to serve as its Intentional Interim Minister. Dr. Morgan began serving the congregation on March 1.
Dr. Morgan holds a B.A. degree from Elon University, a M.Div. degree from Duke University Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University. He received his Certification in Intentional Interim ministry through the Center for Congregational Health at the Wake Forest University Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC. He served United Church of Christ (U.C.C.) congregations from 1970 to 1996 in the cities of Burlington, NC; Brooklyn, NY; and Atlanta. For 15 years (1991-2006), Pastor Morgan worked at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, where he directed Continuing and Distance Education and taught courses in Church Administration, Missiology, and Ministerial Leadership.
In recent years, Pastor Morgan has served as Intentional Interim Minister at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Decatur, GA; Brookmeade Congregational Church U.C.C. in Nashville; and Fairfield Glade Community Church (affiliated with the UCC and the PCUSA). Pastor Morgan has served the larger church as a member of several national boards, the UCC Executive Council and as moderator of the UCC’s 27th General Synod. He is married to Mae Trammell Morgan, M.D., and is father of four wonderful adult children.
Dr. Morgan will serve as senior minister of the congregation during the next several months, while helping local church leaders to guide the congregation through a comprehensive Self Study, the results of which will help to determine the type of pastoral leadership the congregation will seek in its next settled pastor. Pilgrim Church has epitomized a liberal church tradition with its caring, inclusive, and open-minded approach to faith and justice issues within the broader Chattanooga area, the nation, and the world.