You say it, Natasha! (Or, more accurately, Pastor Chris.)

Random flyers and littered pizza crusts are usually the things we don’t notice scattered along Broadway, but the quotes displayed on the black and white marquee sign on 114th seem to catch all of our eyes. They’re usually short and simple, yet simultaneously thought provoking and sometimes inspiring. But, in the words of Justin Bieber, what do [they] mean? Bwog sent Staff Writer Amara Banks to interview Pastor Chris Shelton about the quotes this week.

The red doors that shield the church from 114th Street were tightly shut during my first attempt at meeting the unknown person responsible for the signs. I then called the number listed on the church’s website and spoke with a receptionist who informed me that the pastor actually writes the quotes himself. The receptionist gave me Pastor Chris Shelton’s contact information, and after reaching him on the phone we arranged to meet in person the next day. When I arrived this afternoon, we promptly sat down and I finally asked him the question that has been on the entire community’s mind.

As it turns out, they are actually sermon titles representing the themes that the church will be reflecting on during the upcoming Sunday’s service. Each week, Pastor Chris tries to create a provocative and creative phrase that (at least somewhat) connects the selected scriptures with current events. He used this week’s quote as an example, explaining to me, “The title Heaven’s Refugee comes from the book of John, where Jesus says, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ How can we turn around our opposition against housing Syrian Refugees and see it through a different lens?” He tries to build bridges like these every week when he plans his sermons.

Pastor Chris shared that even though he enjoys seeing people come together to worship in church, his main goal is for the community to have a common conversation. One year on Christmas Eve, a family approached him and shared with him that on every Thursday, they discussed the sign and its potential meaning. They told him that while they do not attend church, they habitually have this conversation and enjoy deliberating the possibilities. Stories like this one delight him, as he is happy that the signs have become a means for people to have these conversations even as irregular church-goers.

After our interview, I received the following lovely email:

Amara —

So nice to meet you today! Here’s a sample of some of our BPC signage. Feel free to use as you like. If you need a photo credit, I took each of these.

Peace and joy to you —
Chris

Included in the email were attachments, which we have chosen to include in this post – obviously, because why the hell wouldn’t we. Sorry, why the heck wouldn’t we. Anyway, we’d like to thank Pastor Chris for his information and his generosity. We feel that these photos need no description, so without further ado, here they are.

Release your inhibitions via Bwog Staff