Emergent Conversation

Although, I would like to think of myself as someone who does not jump for the latest fad, it would be foolish and even dishonest of me not to say that for almost two years now I have been intrigued by the coming out party so to speak of the emergent/emerging church movement.  Countless people, including authors and bloggers are more qualified to speak on the issue than me, so what I say here will be kept to generalities (at least for the time being).   However, let me quickly point out why I think the issue is important and why it is worth our time to discuss.

First, what is really happening in the emergent/emerging church movements (notice the plurals) is a reexamining of ecclesiology.  The question that must be answered by all those involved in the discussion is, “What is the church.”  The methodological problems and practices that separate people are at their heart differences in theological perspective.

Second, part of the problem I feel is that too many people fail to ask the right questions.  Rather than clearly defining their own position, evaluating their own position, then understanding the “other side’s” position, then evaluating the “other side”, they instead jump straight to the fourth step in the process.  The immediately look for problems in the other side.   If any fruitful discussion is to occur then
we must learn first what we believe, how to articulate that, third how to listen, and then how to critique.

The link offered at the end of this post is to the third part of a discussion between an editor at Christianity Today and Collin Hansen, an emergent author.  They both do a decent job of evaluating their own positions and even better job at listening carefully to the other.  While not particularly stimulating it works as an introduction to some of the broader issues out there.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/mayweb-only/119-11.0.html