Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi

My Philosophy on teaching is…

“Classrooms, whether virtual or in-person, function as alteres (altars) of teaching and learning. We each bring aspects of who we are — our identities, experiences, and wisdom — to place on the altar, which is not complete without each piece. In this regard, we cultivate a sacred and just space that is wholly unique to this time and this place.”

— Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi

Bio

Dr. Lizardy-Hajbi teaches in the fields of leadership theory and praxis, congregational and community formation/change, practical theology, and applied research methods. In particular, her interests include organizational leadership, liberative theological and postcolonial approaches to ministry, church vitality and growth, young adult spirituality, and intersectional pedagogical practices.

Dr. Lizardy-Hajbi is a regional advisor for the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) National Research Project. She also serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Association of Theological Schools.

An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, her ministry has included denominational leadership and research, intercultural and interreligious student affairs in undergraduate higher education, hospital chaplaincy, and Christian education and faith formation.

Dr. Lizardy-Hajbi delights in journeying alongside students as they nurture capacities for practical-prophetic leadership within their respective communities and contexts.

Representative courses include:

• Religious and Public Leadership
• Decolonizing Congregational Leadership
• Research Methods and Ethics in Lived Religion

Publications

Dr. Lizardy-Hajbi is the editor of Emerging Trends in Congregational Engagement and Leadership (MDPI, 2025), author of Unraveling Religious Leadership: Power, Authority, and Decoloniality (Fortress, 2024) and co-editor of Explore: Vocational Discovery in Ministry (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022). In addition, she has written numerous articles and reports, including Latino Congregations: Trends from the Faith Communities Today (FACT) and Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) Studies.