When I told a friend of mine that I was going to study the Emerging Church, he wished me luck and then laughed. He said, it is so varied that it will be impossible to define. He's probably right.
The emerging church movement, if it is a movement, is a gathering of emerging believers, a cohort of emerging seekers, a church for dissatisfied mostly younger folks, or just something that remains, as my friend suggested, to be defined.
To some degree it is a response to this generation, often referred to as post modern. Generally, this seems to mean a distrust of absolutes, a very high and wide tolerance for other beliefs and faiths and a very high regard for authenticity. It does not mean any particular worship style and the theology embraced by those who claim to be part of this trend, is so varied it is impossible to define anyone as being representative (no absolutes).
One disturbing trend among many is the idea that culture really defines our beliefs. This gains at least some support from Barth, which is why he is a favorite I suppose. On the other hand it addresses a disturbing tendency among evangelicals to proudly claim to be the only keepers of the truth. This is problematic when evangelicals themselves disagree on so many things.
I suspect worship styles to some degree, if not theology as well, are determined by what the particular Church's or gatherings have emerged from. Some, probably from more mainline churches, favor meditation, liturgy, candles, corporate scripture reading (lectio divina).
They value accepting all who come regardless of life style and seek to engage them in spiritual conversation.
One common thread is for them to seek to be missional. To take the body of Christ to those in need wherever they might be - but particularly in the immediate neighborhood. The whole emphasis of missional is to stress the importance of being the church, on mission with God, being God's instrument to serve the world around us instead of just going to church and evaluating what this particular church provides for me - i.e. consumer church.
Part of being on mission is the ability to listen and not judge. To listen and not always give answers. To listen and offer love.
This week we attended a church plant that showed up on some missional webpostings. They were strong for a new church, meeting in a movie theatre. The pastor assured me he was not really emerging and probably not fully missional either but was also listening to the "emerging conversation." Their worship was not structured much differently from most contemporary churches, but they were doing a better job than most of reaching the unchurched and loving them to Jesus.
One of my early takes on emerging is that the movers and shakers of this generation have observed what the church has become. They have observed that too few lives are being transformed. That the church is not having any real influence in the community. That it has become more judgemental than loving. And that it is time for the real church to emerge from all of the traditions that have been added along the way. As they emerge, pray that they do not leave the truth behind with some of the traditions. And pray that we might emerge from any tradition that is holding us back from becoming what God is calling us to become.
About Me
- Pastor Bob
- I am the senior pastor of Calvary Bible Fellowship Church in Sinking Spring, PA.
Number
Journey to the Promised Land
5 comments:
What; no baby photos?? Just kidding - I'm sure you'll be setting up a separate blog for that sometime soon...
I'm curious about the missional aspects of some of these churches you're visiting, Pastor. One complaint I've heard from those involved in full time international missions (you know, real missionary work) is that an emphasis on 'missional' in any church is redundant since we should be doing that (showing Christ to those in our own community in word and deed) all the time anyway. However, what they really seem to be implying is that any money allocated by the local church to mission work should have the lion's share given to international work. What have you found in your research so far with respect to how the emerging church is divy-ing up their budget (of time, staff, and money) between local mission(al) work and international missions? What is your own opinion on that issue (let me know if you need a ten footer to press the 'post' key).
Hey Pastor,
Just got back from a three-day motorcycle trip with Ken/Kim; Dave/Marlene and Sam/Marylin. By Eric's comment, can we assume that you and Ann are now grandparents?!
To some degree, culture does define our beliefs--or perhaps how we believe. One issue I struggled with in Africa was the rampant dishonesty among national Christian leaders, particularly as it pertained to finances. Here in America when such a sin is uncovered, it's nearly unforgiveable. Pastor's lose their ministries and their very salvation is questioned. It's not that way there--in fact, it's anger that is viewed by the African as the deadliest sin. Someone may lie or steal and it's forgiveable. But if he loses his cool and thus causes a loss of face, it's almost certain that he was never saved in the first place. Both dishonesty and quick temperedness are sins. But depending on what culture you come from, you'll place a much greater emphasis on one over the other.
I guess the question is, how does the North American culture define or influence belief in the emerging church and does this tend to change orthodox doctrine or merely place a greater emphasis in one area over another.
It does seem to me that the critique Eric observed from missionaries about the "missional" aspect is true. Missional is a bit redundant. We are supposed to be salt and light--how have we dropped that ball?
Since this would be my first day as a "Pastor Bob's Sabbatical" blog subscriber, I will refrain from making a brilliant comment about church history, theology and/or philosophy. Instead, I will say that it reads like you have visited some pretty interesting places that are in harmony with the voices in my head (not real voices...just thoughts). Reading your commentaries on the past few experiences has been cool, I can't wait to hear more......Grandpa.
Great observations. So far the churches I have explored are relatively new, but there are already some trends that appear to be "emerging." They do not totally ignore foreign missions. But they place a higher emphasis on community - on the church being the church instead of sending others to do the work. Also, part of what drives this is a conclusion that the church is not being the church so it is in fact futile to invite others to join the party. One author observed that the church is burning so evangelism is like bring the harvest into a burning barn. A bit extreme, obviously, but it does make the point.
These churches are really concerned about practicing justice, peace, truth and love. It occurs in some mission statements. So, they pursue avenues in their local communities where they can do just that and also seem to give precedence to global groups that do that as well. Locally they seek out or initiate ministries like:
Recovery
Community Transformation
Equipping
HIV/Aids
Justice
Poverty
At risk
Medical
Homelessness
Globally, they do plant churches and some support missionaries but they also stress the same general social problems they do locally. So they engage with World Vision, World Relief, etc.
Their missional emphasis is much more mission driven in the sense that it appears to be more focused around social action as a way to establish the viability of the claims of Christ.
Is the emphasis redundant? Maybe. But the truth is in most churches only a small portion of the church is engaged in the mission. And, like we had explained to us when we explored Global Focus, most churches do more overseas than they do in their own backyard. The opposite might be true of the emerging/missional church. But they would probably justify it in part by observing that the world is increasingly coming to their community. We all know that observation is certainly true. Whether it make a difference in the overall discussion is another matter
Hi Pastor,
It's great reading your blog. Congratulations on the new grandchild!
We've been traveling to Columbia SC of late and have visited Becky and Ray's church. Being so close to Columbia International University they have a wide diversity of people attending. The service is a blended service (only one each Sunday although they number 400 plus). It is a cross-roads of missionaries - we saw Josh Wibberly down there one summer - and they get the young people involved early. Our granddaughter Kathryn (age 13)spent a week with what they now call Servanthood. The teens stay at Ben Lippen school and go out during the day with various ministry projects. They sign up for preferences but do what they are assigned. Kathryn helped with the local VBS in the morning but was at a hospital helping in the children's ward in the afternoon. This is only the second year and is quite successful. They do have a variety of projects. I'm not sure how the logistics work out but could find out. This sort of thing could make our people more missionary minded and help them realize that being a missionary is not only going to Jamaica or Scotland but what we do to show Christ in our local community.
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