John also said the church has taken down from its website dozens of pithy videos of Cavey’s teachings.
Cavey is one of Canada’s most recognizable church leaders. He became the senior pastor of Upper Oaks Community Church in 1997, later changing its name to The Meeting House. The church grew exponentially as it sought to appeal to people alienated from Christianity and church tradition. The Meeting House now has about 5,000 members who attend services at 19 campuses. He is the author of a popular book, “The End of Religion: Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus.”
In her Instagram video, Strickland questioned the board’s desire to make it appear as though Cavey resigned, and wondered why there was no discussion of the financial terms of his exit.
She called the victim by the biblical name Hagar (the patriarch Abraham’s exiled wife) and created a website, hagarsvoice.com, where she said the victim’s statement and other documents will be posted.
“If I am to give her a platform, then there could be some correcting of the power imbalance,” Strickland said in the video. “Maybe I can help model for the Meeting House what solidarity with the victim looks like.”
Strickland, who was traveling in Florida, did not immediately respond to emailed questions.
John, the anchor and producer of a weekly Christian television program called “Context Beyond the Headlines,” said the church has set aside funds to provide counseling for anyone in the church who feels they need it.
The church will hold another town hall meeting to address questions. The date for the meeting has not been announced.
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This article originally appeared on ReligionNews.com.
