There is an old, sharp maxim that has long circulated among those called to public and spiritual service: "My ministry comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable." For as long as I can remember, this has not just been a catchy phrase to me; it has been a guiding compass. I was born into a household where advocacy was the default language. My earliest memories are of my father arguing cases before judges and my mother fighting fiercely for causes before the city counc

It happened slowly, then all at once. When your Sunday mornings are spent at Cathedral of Hope UCC - the largest LGBTQIA+ church in the world - it is easy to forget that the rest of the religious landscape isn't wrapped in a rainbow flag. Inside our beautiful, welcome and inclusive UCC bubble, God is expansive, love is a given, and grace is actually gracious. But as a future pastor, I knew I couldn’t stay in the sanctuary forever. Prophetic witness requires stepping into the

There’s something deeply transformative about walking into a space where you feel seen, valued, and loved just as you are. For many, especially those who have felt marginalized or alienated by traditional religious settings, finding such a place can feel like discovering a hidden sanctuary. Over the years, I’ve come to understand that creating this kind of environment—a radical welcome—is not just about opening doors. It’s about opening hearts and minds in ways that challenge

Faith communities often view themselves as bastions of radical welcome, yet the underlying structures of our institutions frequently tell a different story. To move beyond surface-level inclusion, we must confront the concept of implicit bias - specifically how "normative" standards can quietly exclude those outside the dominant culture. Drawing from the "Implicit Bias Workshop" presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ by Chri

When I first encountered queer theology, it felt like a breath of fresh air in a room that had long been stuffy with exclusion and misunderstanding. It invited me to rethink faith, identity, and community in ways that felt deeply affirming and radically inclusive. For those of us involved in leadership within the United Church of Christ (UCC), embracing queer theology is not just an academic exercise—it’s a transformative journey that can reshape how we nurture spiritual comm

As I approach the end of my path toward ordained ministry, I find myself standing in a sacred space of reflection. Currently, I am serving as a pastoral care intern at the Cathedral of Hope UCC in Dallas - a place that is not only the world’s largest LGBTQIA+ - centric church but also a vibrant beacon of what it means for queer people to repair the often toxic and abusive relationship that many of them had with the churches of their past and reclaim the love of God as their b

The United Church of Christ's (UCC) Committees on Ministry (COMs) currently lack specific guidance on addressing individuals in ethically non-monogamous (ENM) relationships in authorization and adjudication. Grounded in the UCC's core principles of covenant, extravagant welcome, and justice, these guidelines assert that the ethical practice of relationships, rather than their structure, is paramount. By applying existing frameworks like the Manual on Ministry , the Marks of F

Challenging Normative Compliance in the Church In the progressive church, we proudly affirm diverse identities and seek to include those historically excluded or harmed by religious institutions. Yet, as I embark on my journey in ministry, I often encounter feedback suggesting that being open about my relationship structure - ethical non-monogamy - is somehow "inappropriate." This criticism reflects an underlying adherence to normative values, where anything perceived as outs

I recently received a message from a woman on Facebook who is navigating a journey she never anticipated—discovering her queerness after years of marriage and family life. She shared her story with me, describing the profound support she has received from her husband, who embraced her truth as she began exploring relationships with women. Now, years later, she is both still married to the same wonderful man and in a relationship with a girlfriend, yet she struggles with guilt

This service, "Living Legacies," from October 19, 2025, at First Church UCC in downtown Phoenix, explores remembering ancestors and fanning the flame of God's gift within us. Led by Christopher Schouten, Member in Discernment, the service includes sacred stories, songs of praise and worship, and a prayer of transformation. Dr. Johnathan Robinson shares an ancestor story, and Christopher Schouten delivers a message on "Living Legacies," emphasizing forgiveness, nurturing heali

by Christopher Schouten, MID Preached June 29th, 2025, Pride Sunday First Church Phoenix UCC, Phoenix, AZ Beloved community, Happy Pride...

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Bridging difficult differences can only be done by understanding the different moral foundations that drive each of us.

This article was original published by the UCC's Open and Affirming Coalition here . Attending the Open & Affirming Coalition’s national...