From the peanut gallery
So it’s a conversation not a movement?
In my quest to understand my PoMo brethren and the Emergent Church it seems I’ve discovered for myself an underlying problem that prevents or retards the dialog they seek. In the comments from a previous observation I offered some translations to Pech that I hoped would be helpful. I will list them at the end of this post and I urge anyone who wishes to dissent or clarify to comment on this work in progress.
I would also like to officially chastise (ok really it’s a plea) my PoMo brethren for their own discrimination based on age, religious affiliation and social/ political ideologies. If you guys really want the Church to emerge from your “conversation” you’re going to have to be willing to listen to, and address the concerns of those who need understanding. After all, isn’t that what you’re asking? Sow first, then reap.
This next comment may seem harsh but I pray it will prick and not cut the heart. It seems that, just as those they criticize, many who lay claim to the Emergent cause are using the Church to advance their own particular social/political agenda. I would encourage us all, Emergent or not, to examine our hearts and determine if we are truly trying to identify with Christ or are we creating just another controlling oppressive religious identity.
My prayer for you
Lately I’ve read so many post from ministers who live in fear of their own congrgation. My heart is so heavy for these men and I know the heavy-handed means some Church members use to keep hearts cold and minds closed. I pray that God will touch the hearts of those who have made their opinion the doctrine of the Church and grant these ministers the freedom to serve as He intended.
And now the first installment of
“The Emergent Dictionary”
Post Modern – An ideological perspective of our current time. The present.
Modern – An ideological perspective of recent history.
Context – An ideological place in time.
Community – Usually used to refer to the local Church family but can be global.
Tribe – A more definitive term used for the local Church Family.
Relationship – A love for or of something or someone. We have a relationship with Jesus, the community, our neighbor and the world.
Narrative – A story often with respect to scriptural interpretation.
offered by Kc | 7/14/2005 04:33:00 PM
6 Comments:
Corry said I was really lashing out in this post and that shocked me. I think most of the Emergent advocates I’ve been hearing carry the Gospel message just as well if not better than most of their predecessors. My intent here really is to address a few of the issues I’ve been confronted with in my own investigation into this ideology. I want to apologize now to anyone I may offend with this post and assure everyone my intent is in no way for this post to be a negative critique of the Emergent Church followers.
I have not studied the emergent church, are you not in agreement with it? What is it? Perhaps you can give you understanding in a post. Like a brief synopsis of the Emergent church.
Adam I am of two minds and honestly I intend to stay that way when possible in all matters of faith until the truth is made known. The one mind says the Emergent Church is another hurtle we must get past in seeking to serve the will of God concerning a true ecumenical ecclesiology, that is that we all be of one mind. The other mind perceives this movement, or conversation, as a necessary step toward that endeavor.
The movement is a reaction to an academic perspective of culture. While adherents insist, and I agree, this is a necessary aspect of ecclesiology (after all Paul became all things to all men) those opposed insist the movement is sensual in nature and contradictory to the scripture concerning crucifying the flesh and again I must agree as I have found many who participate solely for the purpose of exciting the senses (but then what makes this different from going to Church to play softball, which I also oppose?). Regardless of these facts it remains that I have found true brethren among these followers and I feel compelled to at least have an understanding of, if not compassion for, their cause. I intend to pursue that goal as a part of my own call to love my brother.
I think more critiques of the movement are necessary and in order. Thanks for this post. I did not find your post too critical, I found it refreshing.
Can a she-minister be welcome in your prayers?
Laura the very knowledge of your existence placed you high up on my prayer list. I pray for you as well that no one might interfere with anything God intends for you to do. I also ask He grant, not only you but, us all the vision to see His intent in our life. ;-)
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