The Meeting House, once one of Canadian mega churches, has closed its public ministry.
The church based in Toronto, Ontario, announced in a statement posted on its website that from September 1, it has become a consortium of smaller congregations under a new initiative called “BIC The Church Collective.”
“It is with sadness that we are required to bring the public-facing ministry of The Meeting House to an end as of August 29. Going forward, there will no longer be churches operating programs or doing ministry under the banner of The Meeting House,” the statement titled “End of a Chapter,” said.
“It’s the end of a chapter; and the start of another.
“We are pleased to announce that as of September 1, new missional church communities will be launching in many locations across Ontario as part of a new initiative called the BIC Church Collective.”
It said “for more than two decades, it has played an important role in the spiritual journey of thousands of people,” adding that “at the heart of our church has been a desire to grow communities of Jesus followers who live and share his irreligious message of love and peace.”
The church further stated, “We are so thankful for the role that so many amazing people have played in the life of The Meeting House. We are encouraged by the reminder that the church is not an organisation or institution, but a community of people, following Jesus together. So while this chapter in the story of The Meeting House is coming to a close, we are grateful knowing that the ministry of Jesus and his Church (all of us) will continue in new and exciting ways.”
It asked those who have questions about what is happening at their local church in September or the longer-term vision for such location to talk to local pastors.
Livestreaming sermons
In June, The Meeting House reportedly shut down in-person meetings and began livestreaming new sermons in August. By September 1, the church’s livestreaming operation was rebranded as the BIC Church Collective.
Scandal
The closing of the church public ministry comes few years after its long-time pastor, Bruxy Cavey, was accused of sexual misconduct in 2021, leading to his resignation a few months later.
Investigation conducted by The Meeting House at the time claimed the pastor’s conduct was abusive. The church also said that an investigation found 38 cases of reported misconduct involving four of its pastors.
Carvey once admitted failing morally but denied committing any crime.
“I don’t believe I failed legally,” he reportedly said in July after one of the charges against him was stayed.
History
The Meeting House was founded in 1985 by Craig and Laura Sider as Upper Oaks Community Church. Soon after, Cavey took over the leadership of the church and in the 25 years he was at the helms, he grew it into a congregation of more than 5,000 meetings in 19 satellite campuses and over 200 home groups, a publication, The Walrus, said.