I'm reading a great book right now called Emerging Churches by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bloger. Through vast research in the U.S. and the U.K., they have defined 9 characteristics that are shared by "emerging churches." Read the book to discover what they are...Here are some of my intitial thoughts--
I wonder about the "emerging church." What is it really? I am a part of what some would call an "emerging" church or an "emerging community", but I have no idea why. Frankly, I am a bit confused about why this new movement is here and what they/we (whoever they/we are) stand for.
If we are an emerging church--are we a church? To me, the word "emerging" would imply that it hasn't arrived quite yet. Perhaps there is truth in that. (This point is discussed in the book).
Recently, I have been in on several conversations where the "emerging church" has been defined as a response to the church not doing its job or becoming irrelevant. I don't like the thought of any flavor of the church being a reaction to anything. There will always be an new fad--a way of doing church. My fear is that we all get so caught up in the conversation of how to do church that we lose sight of what it means to BE the church. The title of "The Emerging Church" potentially spells more alienation or division.
As I tap more into this book (which is very helpful) I would love to be able to dialogue with you about the "emerging church."
My second question: Can you paint a picture from the Text of what the Church was originally designed as and for?
My first question: What is your definition of the "emerging church?"
3 comments:
Here are initial answers to your questions. They may continue to develop, but here's where I am right now. Is the "emerging church" reactionary? Absolutely! And it is important to see what it is reacting to. For that, I need to jump to your second question then come back. So what was the church supposed to be? The text (Acts and Paul's letters) show the church as an alternative community waiting for the imminent return and reign of Jesus Christ. Both of these are crucial for understanding the new testament church. The church was about fellowship. It was about meeting the needs of the weakest among them. It was also about, to use my ethics professor's term, living lightly on the earth. The idea that Jesus could come back any second caused the early faith communities(in theory anyway)to be detatched from worldy goods and institutions.
What the church has become, and what emerging churches are reacting against, is the church becoming an oppressive institution of its own. The American church has become part of the dominant culture, an issue which the New Testament does not address explicitly. If Jesus was to come back tomorrow, most church leaders would be frustrated that their programs were being interrupted. According to Matthew 25, many might also find themselves in trouble for ignoring the people that Jesus cared most about!
My hope for the emerging church movement is that it becomes a loud voice from the margins that rights the direction the church is going. I too worry that it will be another church fad, but sometimes even fads produce good things. Good things like the Open Door!
Jess,
My intention is not to dissect but to ask very honest questions. Sometimes I wonder about leading any flavor of church that is a response to something else. I see that as divisive. I agree though--I do feel as though there is some kind of movement happening where the Spirit is being given the permission to move freely in and through His people and it is playing itself out in a new flavor of sorts. I loved what you said about the foundation--that being Christ and Him alone. We get it wrong--I'm afraid--when the foundation becomes "We are not going to do it that way." or "We didn't like that technique so we are going to try something different." I sense consummerism in that. I sense that it is all about me and my ability to "do" something different that is more my style. I don't think God is interested in my style. I think He is interested in His glory and His story being told through people who are willing to let Him do whatever He needs to do to enable that to happen.
I just cleaned out a Yoplait container in honor of you! True Story please believe me.
Derrick,
I love the "living lightly" concept. How can that play out in today's world and how do you lead people in that way?
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