For too long now, people have used religion as a weapon or tool to justify their own narrow agendas. Raised as a Christian, I was taught that God was loving and merciful. Jesus wanted us to welcome and embrace our neighbors no matter who they are, and open our homes and hearts to strangers in need. Too many so-called Christians spread messages of hatred and division, using the moral justification that Christianity provides for power and control, whilst acting in ways which are completely anathema to the teachings of the Gospel.
Clackamas United Church of Christ is reclaiming the original, inclusive message of Christ by practicing what they preach. Pastor Adam welcomes all to his sermons with love and acceptance regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or any other the other ways we choose to divide ourselves as human beings.
"God loves you relentlessly and eternally because God is love," is one of Pastor Adam's core principles. The fact that this kind of open-hearted approach is going viral, as opposed to simply being the norm, tells you everything about the direction that many churches have taken. The Pastor's signs preach a loving and progressive worldview that, for me at least, is what Christianity should be all about.
Scroll down to see how Clackamas United Church of Christ choose to spread the Word of the Lord, and let us know what you think in the comments!
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"I came to the Clackamas United Church of Christ about a year and a half ago and realized that we needed to get our message out into the neighborhood," Pastor Adam told Bored Panda. "People saw our building, but didn't know what our values were. So we started a fundraiser for the sign and I started posting those messages. People began to stop as they drove by to thank me for the messages. But I didn't know it would have an online impact, too."
"Amidst the pain of the world and all the hate, people are thirsty for something deeper. The truth of the Gospel is that all people are loved. The sin is when we start treating certain people and groups as if they are not loved. Jesus was most critical of those who used religion as an excuse to marginalize others. We are merely seeking to follow Jesus in the best way we can."
When Pastor Adam arrived at the United Church of Christ, regular numbers were down to around only 30 or so people. "I’m convinced that one of the many reasons people aren’t coming to church, churches like ours, is because they don’t know that we’re there and they don’t know our message," he said. "So I thought, how are we going to get the message out?" It was then that the church held a fundraiser so that they could buy the message board.
"I decided that we needed to be bold with our message of love and inclusion, especially for those who are marginalized especially by religion. My goal is is to be part of a larger movement that is reframing or redefining Christianity so that it's based on God's love for all people, but especially those who are marginalized."
Adam's message is getting through. He has received widespread support in the community from all areas, from fellow Christians to members of other faiths and atheists alike. "There are so many of us who are trying to get this message out and whether we do it in the name of God or the name of humanity or the name of God and humanity -- I say amen, let's do this."
"I just want people to know that God loves them and we love them and we’re for them. It sounds so cheesy but that’s the basic message!"
Other, more conservative Churches in the area have been generally accepting of the new direction at the United Church of Christ,and Adam says that negative reactions have been extremely rare. "One guy stopped as I was changing the sign and told me I didn't understand the Bible," he told us. "But that's been most of the criticism. Everyone else honks, or says 'great job!' It's been very supportive."
"There is a big movement, not just in my generation but in all generations, of people looking for a more inclusive faith. We find it in Jesus."
if God HIMSELF refers to Himself as a He, then out of respect Christians should too. There's such a thing as too progressive
the only problem here is that God refers to himself as He, so He had a reason for it...dont alter the bible, never ever
With the increased use of the plural pronouns as a gender-neutral singular, it should be "they".
I think they were trying to say that God could be a woman, they don't have to be a man.
Load More Replies...i love this with everything in me. SHE. Ah that sounds great.
some of those in this chain. Guys, if you once pick up the bible you will notice, that women are in the bible, and some of them were greatly praised. Just pick new testament book, Paul, a well-know author of many books of New Testament himself picks out female charathers of his time and appreciates them. stop judging the bible and God regarding what you hear from other. Pick up the book and decide for yourself.
Load More Replies...like separating children from their parents isn't? Like polluting the earth so no one else can use it and future generations will starve isn't? Like having generations of wealth so that others go without isn't heretical?
Load More Replies...This is incredible. So many LGBTQ+ people want to worship but have been forced out of their religious places of worship just because of how they were born. This church is really truly the meaning of love and compassion by saying that EVERYONE is welcome. No questions asked.
I find a lot of people who say they are Christians have never actually read the Bible and pick out parts and twist them to fit their needs.
Lisa S, millions of people have been slaughtered, thousands of nations and cultures have been wiped from existence... in the name of the christian god. In the US, to this day, there continues to be hundreds of deaths within US land, in the name of christian faith. Stop being so naive to think that only muslims kill in the name of their god.
God also punishes them for complaining and makes them wander for 40 years.
Seriously? This guy is sending messages of love and inclusion and you're nit picking his spelling? Want to bag on his fashion as well?
These are good to see, this church is promoting much of what the bible teaches. Do not judge, love thy neighbour etc etc.
An atheist here... I would go to a church like this. That good they are.
If all churches were like this I may just have become religious.
Load More Replies...My mother always said that she would rather have God tell her that she was bad at theology than bad at loving people, and I agree with her. God loves all of us and we should not use Their name as an excuse.
i just.... i just want to give your mother a hug. dang.
Load More Replies...This is what churches need to do more. I am not a believer in God or Jesus but I do believe that if theh exist they would not want us fighting our fellow brethren. I was always told buy my grandmother that the Bible teaches love but people from multiple religions use the Bible to inspire hate. I love what this church is doing and would love to see then continue doing it.
It so matters that this church is located just outside of Portland, Oregon--a city well-known for its easygoing nature, openness, and embrace of all things "weird". I'm from California, and if I didn't have my whole life established at home, I would definitely move to the Pacific Northwest. The nature is gorgeous and everyone there is so nice and super chill.
While I tend to agree with these signs, I'm wondering, has anyone ever read a sign and changed their mind about anything, ever?
The signs are only a way to encourage people to come and listen.
Load More Replies...there's a reason all the Progressive atheists/non Christians are loving this and all the people who are true Christians are calling it out. God loves everyone without exception yes, but that doesn't make sin ok, and it doesn't mean we can just ignore the inconvenient parts of the bible. I'm looking through all the downvotes and man, you guys really are totally igorant to Christianity, God, and his commandments
If it weren't for all the hate most churches teach I might go to church more often myself
God is neither male or female, we cannot limit God by our earthly limitations, he's limitless. This is blasphemy
That's why I use "they." And also, since it's three persons in one, they're technically plural anyways. I think.
Load More Replies...When I first saw this story I had high hopes that it would be from a church where inclusiveness and open mindedness are unexpected, but alas not. I am a native midwesterner where almost every town no matter how small has a United Church of Christ. I was baptized in one and married in another. The views reflected in this church's sign game are representative of UCC tenets. Sadly but not surprisingly it's almost impossible to find a UCC here in Texas where I've lived for several years. How ironic that the belief that Jesus loved everyone seems to lost in the "bible belt".
The Bible was messaged by God and spun by men. Men decided what should and shouldn't go in the bible. God is Love, God is Everything. There is nothing in the Universe that God didn't make. Why would God - could God - make things which aren't perfect - He gave us free will. What makes you think that She will punish us for using it. Our Soul is part of the Great Soul that is God. We are all doing God's will - don't you think that we should be doing it better? We are all One.
The Bible is FULL of man made fictitious quotes from a fictitious "god" ... I guess this church is just continuing the tradition. More than likely, in another 500 years or so some of the quotes may make it into a yet again "revised bible". It's been revised and rewritten so many times it 's the oldest version of "Chinese Whispers" of all time.
Catholics... leading number one in all child sexual harassment. Religion is b******t.
And what exactly is sinful? Please cherry pick from your bible.
Load More Replies...To be your kind of Christian maybe. Most Christians believe the bible was inspired by God but written by people with all their faults.
Load More Replies...Have you seen how many Muslims have stepped up to help after shootings and other disasters? Did you notice how many offered help, support, and money after a Synagogue was shot? How about looking into "Islamic Relief USA?" How about the group "Muslims for Progressive Values?" who are very inclusive of the LGBTQ. How about the Unity Mosque in Canada? All of these groups, and most Muslims DO support LGBTQ, Immigrants, Christians, etc... If you could turn off your own hatred for Muslims for a sec, get off Fox News and look around you, you'd see reality and understand your notion of what Muslims are is wrong.
Load More Replies...they are literally promoting a church, how do you interpret that as an attack against christians? also, there are muslims who are just as tolerant and loving as this, you just lump them all together as one, extreme group. That's like saying all christians are like westboro baptist church, which they are clearly not. wake up dude
Load More Replies...These are good to see, this church is promoting much of what the bible teaches. Do not judge, love thy neighbour etc etc.
An atheist here... I would go to a church like this. That good they are.
If all churches were like this I may just have become religious.
Load More Replies...My mother always said that she would rather have God tell her that she was bad at theology than bad at loving people, and I agree with her. God loves all of us and we should not use Their name as an excuse.
i just.... i just want to give your mother a hug. dang.
Load More Replies...This is what churches need to do more. I am not a believer in God or Jesus but I do believe that if theh exist they would not want us fighting our fellow brethren. I was always told buy my grandmother that the Bible teaches love but people from multiple religions use the Bible to inspire hate. I love what this church is doing and would love to see then continue doing it.
It so matters that this church is located just outside of Portland, Oregon--a city well-known for its easygoing nature, openness, and embrace of all things "weird". I'm from California, and if I didn't have my whole life established at home, I would definitely move to the Pacific Northwest. The nature is gorgeous and everyone there is so nice and super chill.
While I tend to agree with these signs, I'm wondering, has anyone ever read a sign and changed their mind about anything, ever?
The signs are only a way to encourage people to come and listen.
Load More Replies...there's a reason all the Progressive atheists/non Christians are loving this and all the people who are true Christians are calling it out. God loves everyone without exception yes, but that doesn't make sin ok, and it doesn't mean we can just ignore the inconvenient parts of the bible. I'm looking through all the downvotes and man, you guys really are totally igorant to Christianity, God, and his commandments
If it weren't for all the hate most churches teach I might go to church more often myself
God is neither male or female, we cannot limit God by our earthly limitations, he's limitless. This is blasphemy
That's why I use "they." And also, since it's three persons in one, they're technically plural anyways. I think.
Load More Replies...When I first saw this story I had high hopes that it would be from a church where inclusiveness and open mindedness are unexpected, but alas not. I am a native midwesterner where almost every town no matter how small has a United Church of Christ. I was baptized in one and married in another. The views reflected in this church's sign game are representative of UCC tenets. Sadly but not surprisingly it's almost impossible to find a UCC here in Texas where I've lived for several years. How ironic that the belief that Jesus loved everyone seems to lost in the "bible belt".
The Bible was messaged by God and spun by men. Men decided what should and shouldn't go in the bible. God is Love, God is Everything. There is nothing in the Universe that God didn't make. Why would God - could God - make things which aren't perfect - He gave us free will. What makes you think that She will punish us for using it. Our Soul is part of the Great Soul that is God. We are all doing God's will - don't you think that we should be doing it better? We are all One.
The Bible is FULL of man made fictitious quotes from a fictitious "god" ... I guess this church is just continuing the tradition. More than likely, in another 500 years or so some of the quotes may make it into a yet again "revised bible". It's been revised and rewritten so many times it 's the oldest version of "Chinese Whispers" of all time.
Catholics... leading number one in all child sexual harassment. Religion is b******t.
And what exactly is sinful? Please cherry pick from your bible.
Load More Replies...To be your kind of Christian maybe. Most Christians believe the bible was inspired by God but written by people with all their faults.
Load More Replies...Have you seen how many Muslims have stepped up to help after shootings and other disasters? Did you notice how many offered help, support, and money after a Synagogue was shot? How about looking into "Islamic Relief USA?" How about the group "Muslims for Progressive Values?" who are very inclusive of the LGBTQ. How about the Unity Mosque in Canada? All of these groups, and most Muslims DO support LGBTQ, Immigrants, Christians, etc... If you could turn off your own hatred for Muslims for a sec, get off Fox News and look around you, you'd see reality and understand your notion of what Muslims are is wrong.
Load More Replies...they are literally promoting a church, how do you interpret that as an attack against christians? also, there are muslims who are just as tolerant and loving as this, you just lump them all together as one, extreme group. That's like saying all christians are like westboro baptist church, which they are clearly not. wake up dude
Load More Replies...