Why the interest in Emerging?
Bill Sloat asked:
Since I'm new here, I'd like to know: What got the people who participate here jazzed about ministry to the Emerging Culture?
I'm not sure. Wayne Boyer started some conversations with young(er) people that he took to Andy Stanley's church. He noted on his "Friday" e-newsletter that he was going to start an email list to further the conversation. I offered to start a blog. He said go for it.
I did not go to the Andy Stanley conference, but our church planting group has been having emerging conversations, as well as has many of the local pastors in my geographical area.
Why are any of you part of this conversation?
posted by Brian at 1:49 PM
3 Comments:
I don't know if there are two questions here or if they're one in the same, but I will answer as two.
1) From Brian - "Why am I a part of this conversation"? Well, if you've read anything on the blog site, you know I like to ramble (sorry). I type faster than I talk, so I prefer typing conversations - though it does create misunderstandings from time to time. but also, I was hoping to hear what others were doing/thinking and be able to interact with people who were like-minded and even not-so-like-minded. I guess "conversation" was what I was looking for.
2) Regarding Bill's question of "What got people jazzed about ministry to the Emerging Culture"? I think that's where I live, or want to live, or have lived, or something like that. I watched "No Direction Home", Scorsese's documentary about Bob Dylan last night (my birthday present, along with Neil Youngs latest cd - which will be for another post), and it opens with Dylan saying something like, "I was not supposed to be where I was born...so I guess I'm just trying to find my way home." Yes! Isn't that great?!? I think that is the dilemna facing us all (maybe some aren't aware of it yet).
Is it perhaps true that rebelliousness is simply trying to find our way home? or a result of life on the journey? or a reaction to the realization? or a symptom of not being aware of which way to go, but knowing this place where we are is not where we're supposed to be? I don't know.
When I think of postmodernism, I think of all the restless/rebellious people I have ever known and wonder if that is why they are the way they are. Some of them are really, really good people, but they just can't handle the way things are. And it's probably THAT more than anything that got me jazzed about ministry in the first place - because I relate to this, and I relate to people who have been looked-down-on simply because they have questions or don't understand, or don't fit into someone elses mold. Even my 17-year-old son, who I can no longer keep up with in thought and reading. I used to supply him with books, but he's read everything I have read and more. That kidn of hunger jazzes me up.
I probably don't really even understand what postmodernism is. And I'm not sure what the word "Emerging Culture" (two words) is really supposed to mean, but to me, it has emerged, and the church has been slow to address the spiritual hunger of these people. This culture struggles with what it means to be loved - many have never known that; they struggle with how to show love - because they've never seen it; they struggle with being accepted - again, because most of them have never felt accepted, especially by the church. The sense of the word lost is not lost on their struggle to find their way home... and they have no idea what direction that is... because far too many of us "in" the church are less concerned about pointing people to the One who knows, and we're too often too occupied with status and respect and religious politics and watching our own butts, etc., etc., and... not only does that make me sick, but it deeply saddens me.
Okay... now you know better than to ask me any questions. :)
I like that word "jazzed". I appreciate the conversation here. I love being a pastor (most of the time). And I so appreciate grace... and peace... and...friends.
So what about the rest of you???
I’m a part of this conversation because I’m a postmodern believer in Jesus. About 15 years ago, I began to go through a change in my beliefs that was so radical that it has become some close to a second conversion.
The change began with a rejection of the notion—that I picked up in seminary—that Christian belief is essentially adherence to orthodox Protestant beliefs in general and CGGC beliefs in particular. I began to see that Scripture calls Jesus’ disciples to live in a love relationship with the Father through faith in and obedience to the Son.
Over a period of time during the past 15 years, that conviction grew stronger. Later, through a study of Kierkegaard’s rejection of rationalism and his call for a Christian life based in a ‘leap of faith,’ I began to reject the rigid structure of modern orthodox belief.
One day, I realized that the changes in my beliefs could be described as postmodern. I was gratified to realize that others had already made the theological journey I had. (Many in the Emerging Church movement say that, in the past, they’ve wondered if they were crazy or heretical or if they were the only one who held their beliefs. I can relate.)
I am, in my heart, a postmodernist. And, my passion, which increases with each passing day, is to present the Gospel to other postmoderns in a way that will lead them to Jesus. What is called Emerging Christianity is the best way I know to do that.
I’m a part of this conversation because I’m a postmodern believer in Jesus. About 15 years ago, I began to go through a change in my beliefs that was so radical that it has become some close to a second conversion.
The change began with a rejection of the notion—that I picked up in seminary—that Christian belief is essentially adherence to orthodox Protestant beliefs in general and CGGC beliefs in particular. I began to see that Scripture calls Jesus’ disciples to live in a love relationship with the Father through faith in and obedience to the Son.
Over a period of time during the past 15 years, that conviction grew stronger. Later, through a study of Kierkegaard’s rejection of rationalism and his call for a Christian life based in a ‘leap of faith,’ I began to reject the rigid structure of modern orthodox belief.
One day, I realized that the changes in my beliefs could be described as postmodern. I was gratified to realize that others had already made the theological journey I had. (Many in the Emerging Church movement say that, in the past, they’ve wondered if they were crazy or heretical or if they were the only one who held their beliefs. I can relate.)
I am, in my heart, a postmodernist. And, my passion, which increases with each passing day, is to present the Gospel to other postmoderns in a way that will lead them to Jesus. What is called Emerging Christianity is the best way I know to do that.
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