What Is Portland Saying?

We have been visiting with people downtown to ask a few questions about their faith, views of God, and suggestions about church. From what people tell us Portland needs a church, yet a church that helps people and cares about young people.


Tony wanted me to try the Tarot cards. I thanked him but suggested another time. He told me that Tarot cards do not tell the future. They only profile people's past and present. "God will not allow me or the cards to tell your future--it is not within His will." Interesting--and something new to me. "What should the church be doing?" I asked. "Helping the homeless stand on their own," he said.


Storm, not the one on "Rock Star Supernova, is writing a book about a Necromancer who falls in love with a Vampire and the two give life to a powerful child. Yet, she misses her church in Southeast. "What should the church be doing?" I asked. "Helping people and protecting women."

So far we have met mostly people who are willing to talk and open to listening. Most are willing to talk about God and what we as a church should be doing. As we move through town we should see diverse opinions about churches. Will Portland State students feel differently? Will business executives stop to talk?

We have a conviction that Jesus lived and moved among the common people. The Greek of the Gospels is the common street language of society. The people of God went from speaking Hebrew to common everyday speech. Was/is God telling us something? Do people really matter to God? To us?