ABOUT LEAVING SALEM

Roger Williams has been called the “first rebel against church order.” While it is not true that he was the first, he certainly was one of the more memorable. He lived during a time when heretics and non-conformists were exiled, imprisoned or even burned at the stake.

Facing this kind of persecution he left England and the English Church for North America and greater religious freedom. The colonies were hardly inviting.

Shortly after his arrival the Puritans banished him from their province and the congregation he pastored at Salem, Massachusetts. His crime? He advanced and maintained “new and dangerous opinions” in opposition to church and civil authorities.

What were these risky ideas? Among other things: Respect for the native peoples of North America, liberty of the individual soul before God, freedom from abusive religion, and the autonomy to pursue faith in good conscience without outside interference.

Williams left Salem and never returned. After participating in the founding of the first Baptist congregation in North America, he left even this free-group to become a self-described “Seeker” embracing the freedom that is in Christ.

Roger’s friend and opponent John Winthrop, who had banished Williams but continued to care deeply for him, wrote a letter begging Williams to just recant and come home. Winthrop, badly disturbed, asked, "What end then do you seek?" Roger simply replied: "I seek the way to lost Zion." 

ABOUT THIS SITE

Leaving Salem is for all those who look for the kingdom of heaven but have found more obstacles and abuse in organized religion than grace and freedom.

It is for those who find themselves strangely out of step with American Christianity, but in love with Jesus the Christ.

It is for those who no longer know exactly what they are – be it Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran or Evangelical – but they know it is simply Christ they seek.

If you are somewhere on the path away from Salem, you are not alone on the journey.

ABOUT RONNIE McBRAYER

Ronnie McBrayer is a husband, father, pastor, author and seeker. After years in denominational church ministry he left his faith tradition to minister on the edges of the church in non-traditional and non-denominational settings.

In addition to his ministerial experience Ronnie has served in leadership roles at non-profit and community development organizations, including the United Way and Habitat for Humanity. His post-Katrina relief work with Habitat for Humanity was featured on the CBS Evening News and in the New York Times.

Ronnie’s weekly article series Keeping the Faith, won the 2006 Florida Press Association Award in religion. The series is thoughtful, conversational, and inspiration.

Ronnie lives with his family in the Florida Panhandle.