This is part of a series I’m writing about My Dream Church. My Dream Church is a Cafe Church (not a church with a cafe). See the Introduction here. I have been thinking about My Dream Church, a cafe church called Perkatory. This series is allowing me to think and rethink church, and update my understanding of what a church is and what it does. Perkatory … Continue reading Perkatory: Discipleship at My Dream Church
The Text John 20:19-31 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 20:19-31
“Describe the Nature and Mission of the church. What are its primary tasks today?” Candidates for Ordination in the United Methodist Church are asked this question. It is a good question. In reviewing how I addressed that question 3 years ago, I still believe a lot of the things I said. “The nature of the church is like that of Jesus Christ, the one it … Continue reading Perkatory: An Introduction to My Dream Church
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
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)
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
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!
What does a community look like that values…community? They spend time together. They enjoy each other. They cross divisions to be together. There are many divisions within Portland. Portlanders love their neighborhoods. Civic pride is as high here as I’ve ever lived, including New York City. One thing that unites Portland is cycling. This is a bike happy town. The bike path system is amazing, yet … Continue reading Ministry Context or What I Learned About Portland Last Week — Community Matters
My Wake-Up Call Suicide. This is the deep, dark, truthful mirror the LGBT community is holding up to the church. LGBT young adults who are rejected by their families are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their LGBT counterparts who are accepted (see CDC). The church is the family of God. This is the crux of the issue. It’s time for the church … Continue reading The United Methodist Church, Shame and LGBT Suicide
Leading worship has become one humiliation after another. From trying to avoid critical people to trying to remember everyone’s name to remembering all the things you forgot to trying to get kids to think I’m cool (didn’t I fail at that enough in high school) to bearing one’s soul again as the clock shouts “Too Long” to realizing you messed up the bulletin to making … Continue reading Saturday Night, 12 hours From the Pulpit
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