Life

These awesome & inspiring church signs have doubled the congregation’s size

These awesome & inspiring church signs have doubled the congregation’s size
Photo: Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook

A church in Oregon is getting attention for the political and affirming messages on its signs.

Pastor Adam Ericksen of the Clackamas United Church of Christ in Milwaukie, Oregon, took over the church last year, and he found a way to build the church’s membership: be really open about its politics.

Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook

“People are thirsty to know they are loved,” Ericksen said. “In every area there are pockets thirsting for this message of radical inclusion.”

Related: Methodist churches nationwide are publicly rebelling against the denomination’s anti-LGBTQ stance

His signs are LGBTQ-inclusive.

Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook

“We’ve gotten hundreds of messages, including from transgender people who say they wish they had a church like this in their area,” Ericksen told CNN.

And they also have messages of support for immigrants.

Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook

The church tells people to be kind to Muslims.

Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook

And to respect women.

Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook

Some of the signs support compassionate policy, like universal health care and support for the homeless.

Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook
Clackamas United Church of Christ/via Facebook

Ericksen said that he hasn’t received much criticism from the community about the signs, and he stressed that Christianity, for him, is fundamentally political.

“Jesus preached the kingdom of God, and this was politically loaded message,” he said. “His harshest message was for religious leaders who marginalized people.”

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