What is estuary?

It’s an amazing place, dangerous to some, inviting to others…we invite you to explore Estuary with us. There is a place for you here. A place…
-where people with different beliefs and worldviews can meet and get to know each other
-where generally accepted church dogma is examined in the light of a wider intellectual context
-where all questions are welcome
-for the intellectually curious
-where anyone is welcome to participate in honest conversation about sometimes difficult questions

Why estuary?

Estuary is where rivers meet up with ocean. It is a sometimes chaotic space where mighty currents may encounter crashing waves, where floods may change the boundaries, and the monsters of the sea may appear threatening. Even so, it is also where unique new creatures are born and thrive, where the water is neither fresh nor salt, but something in between, where shifting currents may alter the wetlands so that familiar trails disappear overnight, and new marshes emerge from the water.

Is estuary a place for me?

Here you can come, and explore. We like to talk about the deeper things of life, of meaning, and purpose, of freedom, and agency, of powers natural and divine, and of how we may know anything at all. We may explore the teachings of people like John Vervaeke, of Jonathan Pageau, of Jordan Peterson, of C.S.Lewis, Paul VanderKlay, or other public intellectuals.

Perhaps you have never been inside of any church or maybe you have been going to church for years but have never been able to ask the really hard questions about life that you want to. You are not alone!

The very fact that you have come to this page suggests that you are a thinking person, someone who is not afraid to tackle some of the hard questions of life. Questions about meaning and purpose, questions about life and death, questions about suffering and evil.

We like to think that through Estuary you will find various resources that you may find helpful as you contemplate some of those hard questions. And perhaps be introduced to some people who, like you, are interested in these deeper, compelling and important conversations, people you may be able to converse with on your own terms. 

My name is John Vandonk, and it will be my pleasure to show you around Estuary. Feel free to contact me anytime at john.vandonk@gmail.com or come and meet me in person at our local MeetUp Group (see link below). You can also fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page to let me know what’s on your mind!

Join estuary conversations

Inland Empire Estuary Meetup Group
Are you ready for some face to face conversation? The Inland Empire Estuary Meetup group meets every first and third Tuesday at 7:00 pm, in person at CrossPoint Church in the Music Room. You are welcome to join us anytime! Click here to learn more…

Paul VanderKlay’s YouTube Channel
Paul is the pastor of Living Stones CRC in Sacramento, CA. Paul is actively developing his YouTube channel with conversation and commentary on Jordan Peterson, John Verveake, and Jonathan Pageau, as well as other contributors. Paul is dedicated to “creating a space where people could come from an enormous diversity of backgrounds and beliefs and feel comfortable talking and sharing and listening.”

Bridges of Meaning Podcast and chatroom on the Discord server
Here you will find conversations on philosophy, religion and the meaning crisis. Some of the more salient conversations from the Discord server are available in recorded format for later consumption. You can also search for the Bridges of Meaning chatroom on the Discord app.

Learn more about experience of being in a group or starting a group…
Watch the video of a Model Estuary Meeting

Have questions or want to continue the dialogue? Let us know what’s on your mind!

Interested in starting an Estuary meetup group in your location?
We can help with that! Email John at john.vandonk@gmail.com for more information.