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Moncton, N.B.
A postmodern church


For Scott Mealey, church is not a building filled with pews, but rather more like a coffee house where a crowd gathers to listen to a band or to watch a short drama, then discusses its themes over a cup of coffee.

This is his vision of a postmodern church.

Recently, the Board of Evangelism for the Canadian MB Conference gave Scott and Deborah Mealey the green light to proceed with their plan to plant a new church in Moncton, N.B., beginning September 1.

Traditionally, North American culture was classified as modern. Modernism is governed by the beliefs that human reason is the basis for all understanding; things can be studied and understood using the scientific method; life is cause and effect; and people are individual, independent and free of obligation, except to themselves.

Postmodernism or postmodernity is a new way of thinking, and typically can be found in TV programs such as “Friends” and “The X Files.” While hard to define, postmodernism values community, authenticity, experience, mystery, tolerance, process and team work.

The Mealeys, who have been working with River of Life MB Church in Riverview, N.B. for the last two years, have a desire to reach this newly identified target group. “It’s really not a group, but a mindset, a different way of looking at things,” explains Mealey.

Mealey says that he came across this fundamental paradigm-shift through conversations with university professors and students and through his own research. Throughout however, Mealey learned that most people believe there is a God.

He explains that postmodernism is the most fundamental change in thinking in the Western world in 400 years. He believes that postmodernism will shape the next 20 years of thinking in this country. Postmoderns are generally between the ages of 18-34, which many refer to as Generation-X. Typically, he says, new church plants target the Generation-X or the busters through seeker-sensitive services. While he sees nothing wrong with that, Mealey’s church idea is much different.

The church he envisions would incorporate two features: a worship service and small groups. Right now, Mealey is building his core group, mostly members of River of Life MB Church. Over time, they hope to evolve into ministry groups and seeker groups. The seeker group, consisting of a Christian leader and non-Christian postmoderns would investigate questions like “How do you know there is a God”? and “If you could ask God one question, what would it be”? Eventually, the seeker group would become a discipleship group and would meet together for a time of worship and biblical teaching. During these times, there would be a biblical story with small group discussions.

“I remember telling the story of the prodigal son to a group,” recalls Mealey. “I couldn’t believe the expression on this one woman’s face. She had never heard the story before. It was brand new to her.”

According to Mealey, there are about 15,000 people aged 18-34 living in the greater Moncton area, out of a total population of 119,000. He will primarily target this age group.

A native Monctonian, Mealey has studied acting at Dalhousie University and teaches drama and public speaking at Atlantic Baptist University in Moncton and was associate pastor at Ellsworth (Me.) Baptist Temple. In 1996, he started “Go Productions,” a multi-artistic company that presented the gospel to people. However, the problem quickly arose of how to integrate the new believers into the church.

That problem disturbed him. Then one day, Walter Justice, pastor of River of Life MB Church, invited Mealey, a Baptist, to a retreat. Here he met Ewald Unruh, executive director for the Board of Evangelism of the Canadian MB Conference.

“After talking with Ewald, I felt connected to the denomination and to Mennonite beliefs,” says Mealey.

His dream of working with postmoderns seemed to fall into place.

The Board of Evangelism’s goal is to build about 10 churches in Atlantic Canada by the end of 2000, says Unruh. “The Board wants to experiment in reaching a whole new target group. Scott’s gifts and interests are focused on the postmodern generation.”

For now, Mealey and his wife are working as apprentices with the church planting program of the Conference. He expects to evolve his core group of believers into several ministry teams. In time, a ministry team will develop that reaches out into its community and draws in the postmodern, non-Christian. His plan spans about five years.

Mealey admits his church idea is not for everyone. “We’re here more for the non-Christians and not necessarily for Christians. I see Christians in this church as missionaries who are not here for themselves, but for others who are seeking.”  – PW

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Last modified September 28, 1999.

© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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