A statement from Jim Dodge, a United Methodist minister and trained spiritual director, who founded City House:

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What are the spiritual roots of City House? What are its anchors as a faith based organization?

As a pastor I took my cues from Jesus when Jesus proclaimed that he was chosen by God to “bring good news to the poor”. That good news as proclaimed by Jesus was that God cared for the poor, included them in the family of God and expected others to care for those whom society had relegated to its outskirts.

When my ministry began to focus on spiritual direction, those same principles applied. The ministry would focus on the poor and
marginalized using volunteer spiritual guides who would respectfully and non-judgmentally listen to those whom society ignored. Even though it was not explicitly mentioned, these volunteers would be “as Christ” to those in this sacred relationship. They would be compassionate, caring, and hope-bearers to those with whom they listened. They would be bearers of the “good news” that God loved them and that deepening their spiritual connection to God could give them some “spiritual muscle” to deal more hopefully with their current situation.

Thus the spiritual roots of this ministry has been the love of God as revealed in the teachings and person of Jesus. City House has discovered that virtually all of the volunteers and clients/participants claim the Christian faith as central to their lives. City House has also discovered that this relationship is one of mutuality. Volunteers and client/participants can both experience spiritual growth in this companioning relationship.

Given this background and experience thus far, City House is moving forward by boldly claiming its Christian heritage while at the same time being open to people of all faith traditions. Boldness does not mean, “we are right and you are wrong”. Rather it implies as a faith based organization, City House does not embody a wishy-washy, anything goes generic spirituality. Rather, City House embodies a message of hope central to the Christian faith: that God is love and is present for everybody on his or her unique journey through life.