Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Current an online church?
Yes. The Current is an online progressive spiritual community that meets live on Zoom every week, so you can join from anywhere in the world. Pastor Michael also offers in-person conversations for people in the New York City area.
What does The Current believe?
We are students of The Way of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, and other teachers of unconditional love and the necessity of community. We largely reject the dogmas and creeds of institutional religion. Our focus is on learning from one another as the world moves toward awakened Universal Consciousness, which is our more contemporary way of describing God.
I’m spiritual but not religious. Is The Current for me?
Yes. Many of us describe ourselves exactly that way. If you feel the tug of the Conscious Universe but are turned off by the language and ideology of traditional religion, you’ll find a welcoming, supportive community here.
I was hurt or rejected by a church. Is this a safe place?
Yes. The Current was created for people who have been hurt or rejected by a church, and for anyone who has outgrown the idea that humans are worthless sinners. We most certainly are not. You can bring your doubts, your anger, and your questions, and no one will try to fix you.
Do I have to believe in Jesus to attend?
No. We honor our Christian heritage and see Jesus as our spiritual Rabbi, but we welcome people of every faith and of no faith. Our regular participants include Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and spiritual seekers of many backgrounds. We follow the Christian year and celebrate holidays, but they are always framed in their historical context with Jesus as a master of non-dual consciousness.
How does The Current understand Jesus?
We study Jesus in his historical and rabbinical context: a Jewish mystic and wisdom teacher who offered a vision of an equitable, just, peaceful, love-filled world here and now. He suggested that by focusing on our intimate Oneness with God, we can change our hearts and get to making that vision a reality. We focus on his life and teachings rather than his death, and we do not believe his death was necessary as repayment for sin. He was executed by the state as an insurgent. We think it is healthier and more world-changing to pursue Christ Consciousness than to worship at the feet of Jesus.
Does The Current teach that people go to hell?
No. We believe everyone is held in God’s love, whatever they call themselves or are called by others. Many people find us after years of being told they would go to hell for asking questions. Here, asking questions is the point.
What does quantum physics have to do with spirituality?
Science, especially astrophysics and quantum physics, is central to how we explore faith. Ideas like quantum entanglement give us new ways to think about how everything, and everyone, is connected at the deepest level of reality. We study them alongside the Bible, the Dhammapada, the Qur’an, and other sacred texts, looking for answers where science and faith meet.
Is The Current LGBTQ+ affirming?
Yes, fully. We celebrate every person as a child of God, across every color, economic circumstance, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, ability, and way of thinking. All means all, here.
Is The Current part of a denomination?
Yes. The Current is a member church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a progressive, social-justice-oriented mainline Protestant denomination. Our roots go back to First Christian Church in Naples, Florida, founded in 1954, and we have been The Current for more than a decade.
Who is the pastor?
Rev. Michael Junkroski is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with a Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. Before ministry he was a professional musician and co-owned a technology consulting business. He is fascinated by quantum physics, the nature of reality, and how ideas come to be considered sacred.
Can I talk privately with a pastor about my doubts?
Yes. You can schedule a one-on-one conversation with Pastor Michael on Zoom, or in person if you’re in the NYC area, to talk through your spiritual ideas, doubts, and questions. Use the form on our contact page to get in touch.
What happens at a Sunday service?
God Connect, our Sunday service, is a postmodern mix of music, meditation, silence, prayer, a short presentation, and open discussion. The discussion is where much of the life of our community happens, and every thought is welcome.
When does The Current meet?
All times are Eastern:
- Sunday 9 AM: Wired Word, a discussion of current events through the lens of infinite love
- Sunday 10:15 AM: God Connect, our postmodern spiritual service
- Sunday 11:30 AM: ACA Big Red Book meeting
- Monday 3:30 PM: weekly read-along book study
- Wednesday 12 Noon: Intersect, an open spiritual discussion group
- Wednesday 4 PM: Meditation at 4
How do I join?
Email info@gowiththecurrent.org and we’ll send you the Zoom link for any gathering. Come as you are. You’re welcome to just listen your first time.
Where can I read or watch Pastor Michael’s media?
You can watch this week’s message on our homepage and past messages on our YouTube channel.. Pastor Michael also writes regularly on Medium in his publication, Pastor Michael’s Intersect, about faith, quantum physics, and progressive Christianity
