I was one among many who was shocked by the 2021 news that Bruxy Cavey, lead pastor at the Meeting House group of congregations had been removed from his position before being charged with sexual assault in 2022. Cavey had developed a unique ministry where the congregations -- 19 at one point -- met in settings such as movie theatres for worship with his teaching portion via video link. Cavey had a pet Saint Bernard dog and he looked like one himself. The congregations worshipped with lively music and met during the week for smaller house group support -- around 200 of them. It was a creative model.
Cavey was an effective communicator whose contemporary style attracted lots of younger people. It turned out that he had been involved in a long-term sexual relationship with one of those young members and then other women came forward to allege abuse. Not only this, other pastors on the team were accused of sexual impropriety. It was and is sordid and contrary to the gospel.
The number of congregations has shrunk as leaders struggle to provide transparency, healing, and ongoing ministry. We heard last week that all the congregations have been forced to shut down because no insurer will cover their staff, given the events that have unfolded. Not only did Cavey do irreparable harm to vulnerable people and disgrace himself, he effectively robbed those who had placed their trust in his leadership of worshipping communities.These congregations may never gather again, at least not under the Meeting House banner.
As I've mentioned before, there is a family connection here. A couple in our close family circle were enthusiastic participants and provided leadership in one of the house groups. That group still meets for prayer and teaching but few of them have continued to attend on Sundays. Their faith continues but the sense of betrayal is profound.
There is a constant danger in megachurches to turn charismatic leaders into gods and there is little accountability in many instances. The Meeting House has done its best to be open and accountable, although there are questions about who knew what through the years.
I find it heartbreaking that one of three sexual assault charges against Cavey has been stayed because it's taken too long for the trial to begin, according to his lawyer. This is not justice, and we can only hope and pray that he doesn't escape the weight of the law.
It's interesting to me that while the United Church has often been vilified for our liberal ways by more conservative Christians, these scandals are far more prevalent in those churches and in the Roman Catholic denomination.
If you're interested in learning more, here is an excellent article from The Walrus https://thewalrus.ca/meeting-house/
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