"But they're not real Christians!" The group was surprised mostly because of the abrupt exclamation of his statement; it was so matter of fact. The words were uttered with such assurance that you would have thought he was stating a prophetic proclamation. I couldn't tell if the group silence that followed was a moment of contemplation, agreement or bewilderment.
Normally I do not get political with my Religion in the City column. The articles are supposed to challenge and be an inspiring muse in people’s spiritual life. It has never been my intention to write to the left or right in either our community’s churches or government. I do not stand on the side of pro-lifers any more than I speak for pro-choicers. My articles are meant to be mindful expressions on the side of love, grace, hope and dignity for all of God’s children.
Sitting at Mitchells coffee house earlier this week a friend asked me if I thought Wesley’s sanctuary was still a sacred space, even though they have stripped away its pews and so much of the sanctuary? Of course I said yes! But it got me thinking about what I felt makes a space sacred?
I remember how large and cold the cathedral space felt as compared to the small protestant churches I was used to. My girlfriend at the time had dragged me to a large old Catholic church for what she said was her favorite religious holiday—Ash Wednesday. It is not that the Methodist or Lutheran churches which I was used to attending did not celebrate Ash Wednesday; she just felt that the Catholics did it best!
This week a new mother in one of my programs asked me what I thought she could have done to deserve God making her continually depressed. As we sat and discussed her recent bout of depression since the birth of her daughter, it became abundantly clear that the woman was suffering from postpartum depression.....
Mrs. Rich simply refused to enter the reception hall of the Church’s Homeless Outreach Program. The 73 year old matriarch of the church was willing to prepare cookies, give her loose change to the cause but always simply stated she did not want to have to see or smell the homeless the program was [...]
Since Chris Craig is out on a secret assignment, we’re republishing one of his columns from Lakeland Local. I still hear my dad’s voice saying to me, “everything has a proper place!” He usually said this as he watched me attempting to stick the clutter of my room under my bed! Now, 30 some years [...]
Before we get into anything deep or theological, I just want to point out that I scraped ice off my car windows three days last week, an action which I have not had to partake in for over five years since I lived for a short time in Chicago. People around town say [...]
I spend the majority of my life trying to even the playing field between people. I am constantly working with staff, congregations and the community to make the point that all people are God’s creation and worthy of our love and care. A counselor needs to know that they are no better then their [...]
Each New Year’s I try to take some time to re-evaluate my journey, the steps and direction I have been walking. Is the way I am living my life, the way I use my time, the work I do a step in the direction of who I want to be, who I feel called [...]
Chris Craig is on vacation. Today’s column was originally published on LakelandLocal.com I can still remember the first time I tried to walk all the way around Lake Hollingsworth. All I could keep my eyes on was the other side of the lake and how far it was from where I was. What I [...]
Needless to say, I wanted to write about anything but the obvious topic for this week. At first I thought it might be because I have been hearing Christmas carols this year since before Thanksgiving and seeing pictures of Santa Claus in stores and on commercials this year before people even put away their Halloween costumes....
One of the greatest privileges as Church Acolyte is getting the opportunity to be chosen to light the Advent Wreath during Christmas....Chris Craig has a story about the year he was 12...
Over Thanksgiving I flew into Chicago to visited my best friend, Kris. A quirky genius, Kris is someone who lives many lives and jobs at the same time. Constantly on the go, Kris, like many of us, seems to carry her whole life in her car. Even though anyone looking into her car might wonder how she finds the things she needs, I am always amazed Kris knows exactly where everything is, each pile having a purpose and every object having a proper place....
“I would relive my granddaughter’s birth!” my aunt said as she passed the mashed potatoes. The topic over Thanksgiving dinner this year was, “If you could relive any moment in your life, what would it be?” The question came out of my uncle’s traditional Thanksgiving Day prayer. The prayer was a combination of famous prayers [...]
Bio: Chris Craig received his Master’s in Social Work from Tulane University and his Master’s in Pastoral Care & Counseling from Garrett Seminary. Chris guest preaches, leads spirituality classes, and works in social services in Lakeland. Chris is not ordained in any church, and his columns do not speak for any churches or organizations where he might be affiliated.