New Beginnings: The Future of Christianity and Our Church

A year ago, I started the Universal Church of the Restoration. With the help of my friend and fellow liberal Christian, Colin Mills, we began weekly video services and online small group meetings last January. We continued this for six months, then cut back to once per month. In total, during the year 2021, we produced 28 video services with sermons and stories of spiritual heroes, and we held a similar number of online meetings for prayer, fellowship, and discussion.

Starting a nondenominational church is not easy, even when the leaders do a good job of creating inspiring and meaningful content. Colin and I believe we have done that to the best of our ability. Despite our best efforts, however, the UCR has not attracted an audience as large as we hoped it would during the first year of its existence, and there are few signs of growth or increasing engagement with our church and its message.

After much thought and prayer, we have decided to stop producing videos, which we have learned is an inefficient way to spread our ideas. We have also discontinued the small group meetings for now. We will be continuing the ministry as a blog about religious teachings and issues from the perspective of Restorationist Christian Universalism.

Seasons of Renewal

From our service on April 25, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


The past few years have been a time of tremendous change. Imagine if, like the legend of Rip Van Winkle, you had gone to sleep in 2015 and woken up in 2021. After an extended bear-like hibernation you stumble out of bed and start a pot of coffee brewing.

While waiting for the caffeinated beverage to percolate, you go outside to look around. In your suburban neighborhood, people are walking down the street wearing face masks. They’re not criminals but old ladies. On somebody’s car you notice a bumper sticker: “Re-elect Trump for President 2020.” Re-elect? Trump? you think to yourself in disbelief.

C.S. Lewis

From our service on April 25, 2021, a story of the inspiring life of C.S. Lewis, as recounted by Colin Mills.

April 25, 2021 Service: “Seasons of Renewal”

There’s a time and a season for everything. Some times are full of struggle, while other times are filled with the blessings of renewal. In the world today, we’re dealing with a lot of challenges. This is especially true for the Christian church, which is in deep decline. In this week’s service, we talk about the hope for renewal of the church. We also tell the story of C.S. Lewis, who lost his faith but later regained it and became one of the greatest evangelists of the 20th century.

This Beautiful Planet We Share

From our service on April 18, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


This Thursday, April 22, is Earth Day, a global holiday for celebrating the Earth and the importance of environmental protection. Earth Day was first proposed in 1969 by peace activist John McConnell, who was the son of a Pentecostal preacher. Since then, it has grown to be observed each year by more than one billion people in nearly 200 countries.

In the Gospel of Thomas, an ancient collection of saying of Jesus that many people believe should have been included in the Bible, Jesus describes the mystical presence of God in nature: “Split wood, I am there. Lift up a rock, you will find me there.” [Thomas 77b]

April 18, 2021 Service: “This Beautiful Planet We Share”

The coming of spring brings joyful reminders of new life, but science tells us our modern lifestyle is risking the future of our planet. As Christians, how should we see the natural world and our place in it? This Thursday we celebrate Earth Day — a time to reflect on the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting the environment. In this week’s service we also tell the story of John Muir, who felt called to explore the wilderness and became an influential conservationist.

He Is Risen!

From our service on April 4, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


Today is Easter Sunday, the holy day when Christians each year celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. After he died on the cross, his body was placed in a tomb. But in the midst of their mourning, his followers were astonished to find the tomb empty, and saw remarkable visions of Jesus alive as a powerful spiritual being.

Desmond Tutu

From our service on April 4, 2021, a story of the inspiring life of Desmond Tutu, as recounted by Colin Mills.

Easter 2021 Service: “He Is Risen!”

Last week, we talked about “The Incredible Power of the Cross.” But as inspiring as the cross can be, it’s not the final chapter of the story — either for Jesus or for our own lives. In today’s service we reflect on the Biblical testimony of the resurrection. We also tell the story of Desmond Tutu, a courageous minister and human rights activist who has devoted his life to the cause of justice, reconciliation and renewal.

Two-Minute Message: Rejoice!

This week’s short message by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch the video or read text below.