The Chapel

Many churches grow large because the become entertainment-oriented and use simple, unchallenging teachings. Sadly, the Chapel has become an example of this. I don't want to sound uncharitable, and I don't say this lightly, but after sticking it out with them for a long while, I had to arrive at this conclusion.

In general, the teaching lacks rigor and carefulness. Proper exegesis, of course, requires careful attention to detail. The teaching at the Chapel tends to be either shallow or sloppy -- or both.

I think that this comes about from a desire to appeal to a large crowed -- the so-called "seeker-sensitive" approach. This approach, while it sounds appealing, inevitably results in shallow teaching and a congregation that doesn't know the Word in depth.

I've been a member of the body of Christ for over 41 years on this side of heaven, and have been a member at seven, mostly due to a geographical change in location, of our Lord's institutional churches in that time period. IMO, after having attended off and on for 11 years, and being a member for the last three years, I have observed that The Chapel has been keenly sensitive to the Holy Spirit and our Lord's heart for people, including those from all ethnic backgrounds (i.e., conjoining services and ministries with the predominantly black population at the Arlington Church of God), walks of life in the Akron area (i.e., Laotian-Chinese services and extensive ministry to the underprivileged), as well as around the world (i.e., major support and ministry in India, Mozambique, and Haiti). The church is located in the middle of the University of Akron campus, and is the very reason why they have an evening service that is meant for, and mostly attended by, the college and young adult career population, called The Gathering. Yes, it most likely would be considered not one's cup of tea for any other population group, since it's not meant for them. And yes, the megachurch corporate worship experience in its many services on Sunday in itself is not conducive towards acquiring a sense of belongingness and intimate fellowship. That occurs in the hundreds of ABFs (Adult Bible fellowships) during the week, that one can not help from discovering before and after each corporate worship service, unless one's true and present intention is to only attend these corporate gatherings, thereby avoiding any inquiry at the many ABF tables and literature presented in the lobbies at the various campuses of The Chapel. I've seen so many brothers and sisters grow in Christ in my ABF called Real Life (a middle-aged adult singles group), and have observed and received many reports of others experiencing much growth due to the many other ABFs. Regarding the sermons, yes they are at times topical, but much of the time there is a series given on a particular book of the Bible, which then lends itself to excellent expository preaching of each and every verse in that book of the Holy Scriptures. Whether topical or expository, if one wants to avoid having the light of God shine on the dark and sinful condition in the depths of their human heart, and the conviction, counsel, and admonition of the Holy Spirit (which means necessarily going through the experience of some unavoidably deep personal pain from this essential spiritual surgery, as a result of The Chapel's preaching and teaching ministries, inevitably leading one towards significant healing and growth in Christ) then I wouldn't recommend coming to worship at The Chapel and consistently hear their pulpit ministry on a weekly basis.

The Chapel is a mixed bag. We attended for several years. The best thing about The Chapel is they truly care about people - although this can be difficult to genuinely show on a personal level sometimes due to the large number of people who attend weekly. The children's progam is excellent - no doubt this is why many people attend. The church is contemporary without over-doing it on Sundays. However, the Sunday evening service is more of a rock concert with "cool" lights and "big" drums and the "young, hip" pastor in jeans there to give you a sermon primarily directed at the <25 crowd. My wife and I were totally turned off by it (we are in our late 20s). The sermons, while outstanding infrequently, seem to lack genuineness as the pastors try too hard to generate a laugh. Overall, my wife and I began to feel the services were designed more to entertain us and keep us coming back every week - no growth. The services are a bit formulaic as you begin with a friendly greeting, sing a song everyone knows, sing another song everyone knows, throw in a video and or personal testimony, then begin the 30 minute sermon (which is very topical and lacks any depth). I don't want to sound too harsh here but I'm just being honest. For a new attender The Chapel will seem wonderful but it is a slave to the "seeker-friendly" movement which is why the sermons lack any depth. The non-denominational tag it places on itself is just marketing - for all intents and purposes it is a Baptist-lite church. Since it is "non-denominational" it will skip over "controversial" Bible passages like Romans 9 when it had a series on Romans (the weekly schedule included Romans 1-8, skipped 9-11, then finished the rest of the book (what??). Overall, if you are someone just looking for a place so the kids can have a good program and/or really do not want to make any commitments The Chapel is the place for you. However, if you want to deepen you spiritual journey go elsewhere. The Chapel also recently made several staffing cuts due to the attendance dropping off from ~8,000/week to ~5,000/week. While many people attribute this to a new pastor I believe it is part of an institutional sickness that is afflicting all "non-denominational" (i.e. Baptist-lite) churches as it strives too much to be "relevant" while lacking any sense of the sacred. Overall, my wife and I left and have enjoyed the beauty of the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church (St. Sebastian Church in Akron is fantasic!). If you are an "ex-Catholic" please give it another look.