After years of service in the United Methodist Church throughout Georgia and Michigan, Pastor Brad Bunn found that the congregational church’s collaborative traditions and approach to church life was a perfect fit for his own spiritual journey.
Bunn grew up in Georgia around the Fort Benning area, where he learned about spirituality through his grandfather, an army chaplain, and Great Uncle Jim Keith, a United Methodist minister.
“They both had a big influence in my calling,” Bunn said.
Bunn had served at multiple conferences as a clergy-person for the United Methodist’s, from North Georgia to Michigan.
But at the end of his six-year tenure in the Michigan conference, he came to the realization that the denomination he was born and raised in wasn’t a “fit” anymore.
A new home in First Congregational Church
With friends and acquaintances already a part of congregationalism, its emphasis on shared leadership, openness, and intellectual freedom intrigued Bunn. He soon found himself attending First Congregational Church on Marion Avenue, and eventually became a Congregational minister.
“The Congregational Church very much models the democracy that we have. People have more vote in the things that the church does. In a lot of respects, the ministers and congregation are on equal footing in terms of checks and balances with one another,” Bunn said.
There is also a council composed of church representatives that Bunn is accountable to, conducting clergy evaluations and other responsibilities.
“We work in partnership with one another. No one’s above the other. However, there are systems in place so that clergy members are accountable to the people in the church. It’s done in a very democratic way. It makes it so pieces are in place and everyone has a voice,” Bunn said.
This collaborative structure shapes the entire spirit of First Congregational Church. It’s part of what makes the congregation feel like a safe, thoughtful, and deeply welcoming space for people who may be searching for a different kind of faith experience. People come to challenge themselves both spiritually and intellectually.
Reaching everyone under the “big-tent”
On Sunday mornings, that spirit of openness comes alive. First Congregational’s worship service is traditional in structure, with a choir led by Dirk Eachus, familiar liturgy, and thoughtful sermons. It is intentionally crafted to speak to a wide range of spiritual backgrounds.
Bunn calls it the “big-tent approach,” organizing the services to reach the wide spectrum of faith and beliefs in the room, ensuring people feel heard and can take something from their time at First Congregational.
“I might be speaking to someone grounded in the faith they grew up with, and also someone who might consider themself as a Christian but with Eastern, Buddhist leanings.I need to speak to them all in a value that touches them,” Bunn said.
For congregationalists, it is more about being covenantal people than a rigid doctrine– the philosophy that is shared is what holds them together. If there’s a rift or disagreement, they remind themselves and each other of what they are here for.
“It is a way to find our way back to our guardrails,” Bunn said.
The arts are also a guiding principle for attendees and clergy, constantly opening themselves up to new possibilities and questions of inclusivity. Bunn himself is a visual artist, and understands the importance of its role in spirituality. Bunn feels the church is beginning to morph into an art-centered worship space.
“It’s ready for another chapter in terms of the arts,” Bunn said.
A home, a refuge
Many arrive with questions, sometimes ones they’ve carried for decades. The church has become a place where those questions can be expressed openly, without judgment or pressure.
“For some folks it’s a home, and for others it’s a refuge,” Bunn said.
Bunn encourages the community, especially those looking for a new faith experience, to simply come sit and experience the worship that happens inside First Congregational. Whether sitting in the back on Sunday or attending an evening concert, anyone is welcome.
I always try to be present. If folks want to know more about the church or just want to grab coffee and ask me questions about things, I am totally open to that,” Bunn said.
To learn more about First Congregational Church, its values, staff, and schedule, check out their website.
