If Christian churches within our culture have become buildings we arrive at after we commit to a specific set of beliefs, to be with others who have arrived at the same conclusions, then Chapelfield would be better described as the field or garden right next door. A place to be during an unsettled season of faith that celebrates the journey to and maybe even beyond a confined and immovable description of our own spiritual landscape. A place you go to ponder and take deep-breaths, feel safe enough to be genuine and process unconventional questions, take time to self-examine and learn from others different from you -- all while trying to figure out how to love well during this beautiful and complicated life.

Our activities and resources are intentionally slow-paced, introspective, and mildly introverted. We hope to create an environment to carefully and reflectively stroll through matters of faith independently and as a group.

Our elements are open to evolve as our community evolves. At this time, we offer daily prayer resources, studies, and Sunday reflections.

Daily Prayer -- Pre-recorded prayers & scriptures in audio and text formats. The same session is intended to be repeated throughout the week to aid in contemplation.

Christian Studies -- Our Thursday classes are lecture-based and consist of semester length classes. They are focused on a variety of theological topics. We also have weekly heritage lessons that are intended for early learners and those interested in foundational biblical overviews.

Group Reflections -- We intend to gather as a group for a variety of sensory engaged geared towards re-centering and refreshing our weeks. These include community outings, virtual messages, and intentional discussions.

We welcome all who are genuinely interested in Christian faith formation. We anticipate some will consider this their primary faith community context while others may participate in certain elements as a supplement and/or resource in addition to their other commitments and routines. Chapelfield is NOT intended to be all-or-nothing. Take part in one element or even for just a season.

We earnestly strive to be respectful and appreciative of the broader Christian landscape -- in its historical and modern variations as well as global and cultural contexts. While we do not ask participants to ascribe to a particular set of theological beliefs nor do we restrict discussion, our classes and material are centered on the beliefs and starting points described in the Nicene Creed. (see below)

"We believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

begotten from the Father before all ages,

God from God,

Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made;

of the same essence as the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,

and was made human.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered and was buried.

The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.

He ascended to heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again with glory

to judge the living and the dead.

His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life.

He proceeds from the Father and the Son,

and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

He spoke through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,

and to life in the world to come. Amen."

Our primary teacher/director is Dr. Jason L. Snyder. Jason has studied and taught on Christian theology at the college level for over 20 years. His doctoral work was focused in Hebrew and Old Testament studies. Through the years, he has striven to become a well-rounded generalist. He is deeply interested in matters of theology, philosophy, hermeneutics, language, church history, and spirituality.

Dr. Snyder's teaching style values questions as much as answers and the learning process as much as the conclusion. His teaching habitually includes fair descriptions of the spectrum of views/ideas on a topic and recommended resources for further study in different directions.

Though Jason currently finds himself in a semi-retired season of life, those who know him -- certainly know --that he could never walk away from his academic studies and deep-seeded desires to communicate the simple beauty, yet dense intricacies, of the gospel in a way that impacts lives for the better.