Our Purpose

Common Chapel was created for those who sense the importance of spiritual and philosophical exploration yet find themselves alienated by traditional religious structures. The modern world offers us unprecedented freedom but often leaves us without guidance on how to live well or find meaning. Common Chapel creates a sanctuary for those seeking depth, connection, and personal growth without dogma—a place where humanistic values can be celebrated and where individuals can be gently encouraged toward their fullest potential.

We recognize that many people hunger for ritual, community, and contemplative practice while wishing to remain intellectually honest about the mysteries of existence.

What We Believe

We believe there is no single correct path through life, and that the grand questions of existence—whether there is a god, what gives life meaning, how to find purpose—are deeply personal journeys that each individual must navigate according to their own conscience and wisdom.

We embrace the liberating truth of human imperfection. By accepting our limitations and vulnerabilities, we can release ourselves from the burden of impossible standards and recognize that we are, in our current state, entirely sufficient. This acceptance becomes the foundation for authentic growth rather than a frantic pursuit of an idealized self.

We hold that meaningful connections with others are essential to a well-lived life, and that community provides both challenge and comfort as we evolve. Finally, we believe in our capacity to thoughtfully shape our futures, understanding that purposeful goal-setting creates pathways to greater fulfillment and contribution.

Our Mission

Common Chapel is a secular community dedicated to the cultivation of human flourishing through the development of self-understanding, community, and the future.

Our Vision

To provide a space where individuals can flourish in self-acceptance and community, discovering their unique contributions to our shared world.

Our Chaplain

Chaplain Joab is a writer, artist, and futurist whose path to founding Common Chapel traversed an unexpected landscape. After years of preparation for life as a Christian missionary, he found himself questioning whether religious frameworks were adding clarity or confusion to an already complex world. This pivotal realization led him away from traditional faith but not from the search for meaning and purpose.

Throughout his career supporting non-profits through marketing and design, Joab nurtured a vision for 10 years—a space where those grappling with life's profound questions could find guidance without religious affiliation. This vision has now materialized as Common Chapel.

As a certified Strategic Forecaster with credentials from the University of Houston and the Institute for the Future, Joab has taken methods typically reserved for enterprise decision-making and reimagined them for individual growth. His innovative approach, which he calls Predictive Planning, offers a structured yet flexible methodology for people to articulate their deepest aspirations and create pathways toward them. Through this work, he helps individuals navigate uncertainty while remaining aligned with their core values, ultimately enabling them to live with greater intention and fulfillment.