It’s been two years since its former pastor resigned and was arrested, but The Meeting House continues to feel the impact of its past.

The Meeting House was one of the largest megachurches in Canada, but this Sunday, each of its locations will be empty. Its home church gatherings won’t meet during the week. Kids won’t get together for youth programs. Members can’t see their pastors for counsel.

In the aftermath of an abuse scandal that shook the congregation and its leadership, the Ontario-area multisite church announced that it had lost a portion of its insurance coverage and would have to pause its ministry activities.

“Our current insurer has advised us that they will not be renewing our Abuse Liability (AL) and Employment Practices Liability (EPL) coverage as of June 30, 2024,” according to an email sent to congregants, explaining that the Anabaptist megachurch has struggled to get an extension from its insurer or to find another option for replacement coverage.

  • Maple Engineer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    10·
    10 days ago

    They told members that they “grieve the need to pause ministry as a church” yet “have tremendous hope in the process of surrendering and listening to the Spirit as we discern together during this difficult time of pause.”

    If I’m reading the article correctly, and I did read the article, this paragraph suggests that they are going to think and prey rather than working on the abuse mitigation strategy and processes that their insurer requires to continue to insure them.

    • phoenixz@lemmy.caEnglish
      1·
      5 days ago

      Yeah doh, what else would you expect from them? In their minds its all about Gods will and the Devils plans and whatever other nonsense