The Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie

Denomination: United Church of Christ (UCC)

The Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie is a United Church of Christ (UCC) minister in Portland, Oregon. Rev. Currie currently serves as the Director of theCenter for Peace and Spirituality and University Chaplain at Pacific University.  Pacific University, an independent university founded in 1849 by Congregationalist pioneers, is a full member of the UCC Council for Higher Education.

Dr. Currie is well regarded for pastoral ministry, advocacy on issues related to homelessness, housing and health care, and as a writer and preacher.

Between 2012-2014, Dr. Currie served as the senior minister of both Sunnyside United Methodist Church and University Park United Methodist Church.  He served as the acting minister of Salem'sFirst Congregational United Church of Christ (February 2011 - June 2011) when a medical crisis forced that congregation's pastor to step down.  Dr. Currie also worked as a short-term consultant to Multmomah County on faith-based initiatives (2010) and as the long-term interim minister atParkrose Community United Church of Christ (2006-2009) in NE Portland. During his three year tenure at Parkrose Community UCC the church engaged in a strategic planning process, voted to become "Open and Affirming" towards gays and lesbians, expanded theological educational programs for adults, launched a new joint youth program with another congregation, and decided to sell their property and relocate with a new focus on mission and outreach to the community. 

Dr. Currie continues to guest preach throughout the area. He writes a personal blog on religion and social issues (that The LA Times cited for "top-tier" editorial writing in 2004) and also writes regularly for The Huffington Post on religion and political / social issues.

He has appeared on ABC's World News Tonight and been mentioned or quoted in The New York Times, The La Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, NPR, and is seen, heard or quoted frequently in local media.

Dr. Currie earned a Master of Divinity degree at UCC-related Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. (2006) and has taken additional graduate level courses in homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO., and undergraduate classes in political science at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.  In 2015, Dr. Currie earned his Doctor of Ministry degree at Chicago Theological Seminary.

He is a former board member of the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C., a former chair of the Multnomah County Community Action Commission, and a former board member of Burnside Community Council (Baloney Joe's).  Dr. Currie also served on the public policy committee for Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

Before attending seminary he was employed as the director of community outreach at Portland's First United Methodist Church (a position that included serving as the executive director of theGoose Hollow Family Shelter), worked with community non-profits such as Outside In and Transition Projects, and as a consultant toPortland City Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury. 

He is a recipient of a 1998 Community Harmony Award from the City of Portland Metro Human Rights Center. In 2002, Willamette Week named him one of the "Best People in Portland". Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon awarded Currie the "2003 Vollum Ecumenical Humanitarian Award". He was honored with a "Blessed Are the Peacemakers Award" by the World Council of Churches in 2004. The National Association For The Education Of Homeless Children and Youth presented Dr. Currie with their Distinguished Service and Leadership Award in 2011. In 2013, he was invited by the White House to join President Obama and Mrs. Obama, along with Vice-President Biden and Dr. Biden, at the National Prayer Service held following the Inaugural at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C..  

Dr. Currie is married to Liz Smith Currie, who works as a policy adviser for a local elected official. They have twin daughters, Frances and Katherine, who attend school in the Portland Public School District.