Interview with Pug Dagitt - Emergent Church Leader

The Calvinistic Cartoon Blog Interview

1. Pug, What gives with the new look...why all the tattoos and piercings?

Pug: "I want to be all things to all men. This is my way of crossing all bridges at once in an attempt to win all. My tattoos have illustrated bits of conversations from many different "religious" leaders such as Ghandi, Morpheus, Johnny Appleseed...and, oh yeah, Jesus. My piercings witness to the fact that man suffers from low self-esteem and "Holy" dogma.

2. What is your method of preaching?

Pug: "I like to call it "Starbucks skyscraper sermons", let me explain...Imagine if Starbucks had an 86 floor skyscraper in Montego Bay. Now imagine U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" being played by a sitar in the background. You get on the elevator with a candle and a copy of my latest book, "Why I Greet Men", ("greet men" is "emergent" spelled sideways)...anyway, if you have followed me so far, you know that a skyscaper is just one story stacked upon many other stories.
That's the way I roll.

3. Who are the biggest influences in your life as a leader?

Pug: "Jonah, of course, then there is Jose Feliciano, Alexander the Great, Barry Gibb, James Dean, and SpongeBob Squarepants.

4. What books have changed your life?

Pug: "Not sure I would say any books have changed my life. I have never thought about books in that light. It kind of sounds like the question from Junior High School, "what is your favorite song". (which is "Mama Told Me Not to Come" by the way) But maybe books have changed my life, there are so many that I recommend and love reading, I will give some time thinking of books in that way and see what comes to mind...wait a minute...I would like to mention "Doc Savage Man of Bronze in The Land of Terror" as one that made a impact on me at an early age."

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?

Pug: "TV Guide Crossword Puzzles. I can never complete one no matter how hard I try. Most of my sermon material comes from those that are published in the New York Times."

6. What goals do you have as a leader?

Pug: "My goals are simple. Try to maintain my sanity. In fact, I have a 'sanity clause' in my verbal contract here at Solomon's Balcony. You may not believe in a sanity clause but, try and tell that to all the children here around Christmas."

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Pug: "I hope to have my own movie company and a TV show, a situation comedy for sure. I have already written the pilot. It will be called, "Harry Tick and the Hinder-sons".

8. One last question. What does the WWJD on the back of your head stand for?

Pug: "What Would Jonah Do."

Thanks Pug for taking time for an interesting interview.