We have family members, a couple, who have actively participated for several years in what is really a constellation of Christian communities known as The Meeting House. While it's roots are in the Anabapstist tradition which is hundreds of years old it has a contemporary vibe. Notice that the name doesn't include the word "church" and the founder, Pastor Bruxy Cavey, has used terms such as "Jesus follower" rather than "Christian" because of the sadly negative connotation of the descriptor, Christian, especially related to conservative faith.
Cavey has been a strong communicator through the years, in worship and lectures and books, and charismatic in a strange way given that he's looked more and more like his Saint Bernard dog. While his theology has been more conservative than my own in some respects, his approach has been innovative and drawn in many people who were disaffected with organized religion, including lots of young adults. Some of the places for worship are more conventional but a number have met in movie theatres. As a result there are now close to twenty Meeting House locations in different communities, urban and rural, with the message for all of them provided each week by Bruxy via video link ...until a few months ago.
Last December the story broke about an intimate relationship the married Cavey had with a woman half his age. As the days unfolded it was revealed that this began as a counselling relationship and had extended over several years. Not only was this cause for immediate dismissal from The Meeting House and his denomination, criminal charges were laid last month. In addition, members have been informed that there are other historical circumstances of staff members who have been dismissed, charged, and convicted of crimes without the congregations being aware.
All this has left The Meeting House reeling with a significant drop in attendance and revenues. It does seem that the current leadership has attempted to be conscientious and transparent but huge damage has been done.
I've refrained from reflecting on what has transpired since the first unsettling revelations because I knew I would simply be speculating about the whole mess. It has become progressively worse, though, and I do wonder about the structure of some of the larger churches with pastors who are essentially celebrities. There are other examples, mostly from the States, land of the megachurch. Does their revered status cause them to lose perspective and avoid necessary accountability? It some instances concerns and accusations have gone unheeded with the victims being further victimized. Power can corrupt even the most sincere of shepherds, but some of them are wolves in sheep's clothing.
In the end the flock, or in this case flocks, who suffer as well, often shaking faith to the core. Where will those who've already left go for spiritual support and Christian nourishment?
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