i have not read the so-called emerging or emergent church writings, but it seems that there are some extremes going on there to try to get away from what is perceived as a failed evangelical mega-church seeker sensitive model to a degree... along with other interesting things.
so far as i know they're in line with a lot of old school pietism (as in the movement). it's difficult and mirky to trace... and furthermore, what do they mean by their terms? often, it seems like they're so ambiguous on what they believe... like in the term "missional". what is that? i know there have been many an article which pre-supposes the wrong thing, and yet they don't give us anything concrete.
fascinating subject though. there are a few things right that i see there... but then again, there's a lot of questionable things like the abandonment of the authority of the church. without structure under whose authority are you? how can you be held accountable for things like church discipline?
then again, they're right in saying that it's not about bringing people "into" church, but rather it's a challenge for Christians to not settle into complacency and go out there to engage people... to obey the mission of God to preach the gospel...
oi... what a headache...
thanks for the post dj!!!
andrew jones
· 1 year ago
dj- this is a great resource
maybe i should email you my 5 models of emerging (postmodern) church that I wrote in 1999 and was published by GenNext? let me know.
Solomon, perhaps this is part of the milieu of the 21st century, that words are losing their concrete meaning, and people can (largely) define the meaning of the words they use. Thus, it seems ambiguous to try to understand exactly what some emerging churches believe or doesn't believe. Some people say that "certainty is over-rated." And, I think, it's being called an emerging church because it is still in process of emerging, and it is not yet an emerged church that knows its contructs, structures, and definitions.
andrew jones
· 1 year ago
you are very welcome.
Joel
· 1 year ago
I'm still reading about what the Puritan's have to say about ecclesiology but thanks anyway.
MichaelG
· 7 months ago
Hey, I use a similar service to Earth Class when I travel, http://www.privatebox.co.nz They seem to do a very good job!
All Comments
i have not read the so-called emerging or emergent church writings, but it seems that there are some extremes going on there to try to get away from what is perceived as a failed evangelical mega-church seeker sensitive model to a degree... along with other interesting things.
so far as i know they're in line with a lot of old school pietism (as in the movement). it's difficult and mirky to trace... and furthermore, what do they mean by their terms? often, it seems like they're so ambiguous on what they believe... like in the term "missional". what is that? i know there have been many an article which pre-supposes the wrong thing, and yet they don't give us anything concrete.
fascinating subject though. there are a few things right that i see there... but then again, there's a lot of questionable things like the abandonment of the authority of the church. without structure under whose authority are you? how can you be held accountable for things like church discipline?
then again, they're right in saying that it's not about bringing people "into" church, but rather it's a challenge for Christians to not settle into complacency and go out there to engage people... to obey the mission of God to preach the gospel...
oi... what a headache...
thanks for the post dj!!!
maybe i should email you my 5 models of emerging (postmodern) church that I wrote in 1999 and was published by GenNext? let me know.
http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/tallskinnykiw...
Solomon, perhaps this is part of the milieu of the 21st century, that words are losing their concrete meaning, and people can (largely) define the meaning of the words they use. Thus, it seems ambiguous to try to understand exactly what some emerging churches believe or doesn't believe. Some people say that "certainty is over-rated." And, I think, it's being called an emerging church because it is still in process of emerging, and it is not yet an emerged church that knows its contructs, structures, and definitions.