Adventures of a Church Hopper: The Meeting House

I went to "The Meeting House" today. For those who don't know, it's an emergent church of Brethren of Christ background plopped in the middle of an industrial-looking section of Oakville. It doesn't look like a church at all, which is exactly the way they built it . . . and for claiming that they're a "church for people who aren't into church", it has some pretty spectacular sermons. Meaty and intellectually stimulating. I like that. A LOT. They're doing a series in response to Aetheist Fundamentalism at the moment. Generally speaking, it's incredibly refreshing after what I've endured for the past year at "my" CRC which, since I left for Dordt, has gotten 2 new pastors, 1 new youth director and has strayed in a VERY different direction from what it was when I left (Not that they aren't doing some good things; It's just not the flavour of church I can stay sane in). Hmph. Not to mention that there is no one in my boat of life who still goes there anymore.

Kudos to the Banner article for smashing that nail on it's head in regards to young adults who have disappeared from the CRC. It's certainly true at 2nd CRC Brampton. This isn't the case for all CRCs in the area, but it applies to my experience and people, that experience 'aint so pretty anymore.

I do not plan to go to The Meeting House indefinitely either though. I believe small churches can be JUST as real, impactful, etc as large ones, even though the trend these days seems to be that larger non-denominational churches are not so much sucking in "new Christians" as they are sucking "old Christians" away from other churches. The Meeting House (which is quite large) IS affiliated with a denomination, and despite the initial non-denominational-large-church-size-feel of it, its theology is potently beautiful and I like it. . . . But I'm not sure it is where I must be at the moment.

Fear not, oh fellow skeptics; My "allegiance" still lies with the CRC, but I do plan to church hop for a bit. It is exhausting, but good practice for everyone to take part in on occasion lest we forget what the world looks like beyond our own particular flavours of Christian vision.

That's all. I have to work tomorrow. That pretty much simply sucks, but I will persevere. Here's to hoping.