Blog, Ministry in Context

Ministry Context, or What I Learned About Portland Last Week–Portlanders Do Care

Twice in the last 6 weeks, I attended public Christian gatherings in Portland. During Advent I attended a rally and march in response to police killings in Ferguson, MO and Staten Island, NY. That rally included remembrances of Portlanders who fell to the same fates as Michael Brown and Eric Garner. We marched to a bridge and prayed over the place where Portland Police killed … Continue reading Ministry Context, or What I Learned About Portland Last Week–Portlanders Do Care

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More Thoughts on White Privilege

I’ve had many thoughts on white privilege lately. This is in addition to those admissions I made earlier (here). In no particular order… I’ve identified some hallmarks of white privilege Ability to provide simple answers to complex matters. (i.e. “He shouldn’t have pushed that store owner.”) Propensity for nitpicking details of an occurrence while disregarding larger trends that lead to such occurrences. (i.e. playing the … Continue reading More Thoughts on White Privilege

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Back to Normalcy: A Primer on Privilege

Examining my feelings, I find that I am slowly going back to normal, or at least easing into the new normal. For me, normal is thinking about me, myself and mine and not thinking about the things that have been troubling the world lately. I am worrying about Christmas and finding lunch. Meanwhile… Cops who shoot unarmed people are still free. That’s not a new normal, … Continue reading Back to Normalcy: A Primer on Privilege

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Spiritual Muses

I really enjoyed this episode of On Being with Krista Tippett. Nadia Bolz-Weber shares about her life and ministry at The House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, CO. The conversation turned to Bolz-Weber’s tattoos, of which there are many. She has plans for a large tattoo of Mary Magdalene on her back. Mary Magdalene was the first evangelist and a reclaimed life. “This woman who … Continue reading Spiritual Muses

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It’s a Good Day for Frank Schaefer but only a Partially Good Day for Methodism

I support the decision by the Judicial Council to uphold Rev. Frank Schaefer’s reinstatement to Ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. But let’s be clear: it was a technical win. The changing of hearts for full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the church remains the chief goal and the tougher work. [Insert cold water here.] As a disciple of Jesus Christ as well as one Michael G. … Continue reading It’s a Good Day for Frank Schaefer but only a Partially Good Day for Methodism

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Church Development and Theory U: How Past Self and Future Self Meet

Without seeming to notice the small fires still burning around the property, [my grandfather] went up to my father, took his hand, and said “Kopf hoch, mein Junge, blick nach vorn!” “Keep your head up, my boy, look forward!” Then he turned, walked directly back to the waiting car, and left. A few days later he died quietly. –from Theory U: Leading from the Future as … Continue reading Church Development and Theory U: How Past Self and Future Self Meet

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Who Am I and Why Am I Here (Blogging 101)

I am following WordPress.com’s Blogging 101 course. Here is the assignment for September 15 “Introduce Yourself” My name is Christopher Gudger-Raines. I blog to collect my thoughts. I blog to write, as a discipline and an artform. I blog to hash out ideas and concerns. My blog has had several iterations over the years and has rarely had much of a following. I think it is … Continue reading Who Am I and Why Am I Here (Blogging 101)

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Blog, Ministry in Context

Ministry Context or What I learned in Portland Last Week — Ferguson and Portland

I didn’t really learn much about Portland last week. I learned a ton about Ferguson, Missouri. And I recalled things I knew and remembered about St. Louis in general. I remember having a kind and funny landlady who had deep reservations about African-Americans. I remember going to Unity UMC in Webster Groves, MO where I was one of the few white people, then having Disciple Bible … Continue reading Ministry Context or What I learned in Portland Last Week — Ferguson and Portland

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Ministry Context or What I learned About Portland Last Week — Collaboration Rocks!

Sunnyside UMC hosts the Common Cup Family Shelter. Common Cup refers to the fact that several area churches collaborated in the shelter’s founding. Area volunteers went back to their home church (1st UMC Portland) and began the Goose Hollow Family Shelter. Guests at Common Cup and Goose Hollow can receive day programming at Thirteen Salmon Family Center, located at the First Unitarian Church of Portland. Folks at Thirteen Salmon … Continue reading Ministry Context or What I learned About Portland Last Week — Collaboration Rocks!

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Blog, Ministry in Context

Ministry Context or What I Learned about Portland Last Week — Bridges!

Where we live affects how we live. Everyone must negotiate the unique matrix of terrain, climate, population and technology of your particular locality. I mastered manual transmission on the hilly streets of Morgantown, WV. I learned to walk many, many miles in Manhattan. Portland, Oregon sits on the confluence of the Willamette (It’s wil-AM’-it dammit) and the mighty Columbia rivers. So bridges abound. I cross these mammoth … Continue reading Ministry Context or What I Learned about Portland Last Week — Bridges!

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