Pastor Adam Ericksen of Clackamas United Church of Christ in Milwaukie, Oregon, has embarked on a mission to challenge preconceived notions about religion. Since assuming leadership a few years ago, Pastor Adam has been sharing the original and inclusive message of Christ in a unique way—through witty and thought-provoking notes on the church’s outdoor marquee.
These messages, sometimes hilarious and sometimes politically charged, resonated with the local community and gained widespread popularity when people started sharing photos of them on social media.
Pastor Adam spoke to Bored Panda about his intention behind the messages: “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.
People saw our building but didn’t know what our values were. So we started a fundraiser for the sign, and I began 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 challenges and hatred prevalent in the world, there is a deep yearning for something meaningful. Pastor Adam believes that the truth of the Gospel lies in the understanding that all people are loved.
It becomes sinful when certain individuals and groups are treated as if they are not deserving of love. Jesus, in his teachings, criticized those who used religion as a means to marginalize others. Pastor Adam and his congregation are simply striving to follow Jesus’ example in the best way they can.
Driven by a desire to spread love and inclusion, particularly to those who have been marginalized by religion, Pastor Adam decided to be bold with his message. He aims to be part of a larger movement that reframes and redefines Christianity based on God’s unconditional love for all people, especially those who have been marginalized.
Here, we present 9 of the most impactful and inspiring messages that have adorned the marquee of Clackamas United Church of Christ over the years: