Comments on: My Definition of the Emerging Church http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/ A Blog by Jim Wallis and Friends Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:26:40 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sweet Linkage http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-104018 Sweet Linkage Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:00:25 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-104018 [...] and of course mytinyjesusKorn bassist finds GodBritain’s ‘not so secular society’My definition of the emerging church//LinkWithinCodeStart var linkwithin_site_id = 52221; (function () { var elem = [...] [...] and of course mytinyjesusKorn bassist finds GodBritain’s ‘not so secular society’My definition of the emerging church//LinkWithinCodeStart var linkwithin_site_id = 52221; (function () { var elem = [...]

]]> By: dylandonaldson http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-109897 dylandonaldson Fri, 29 May 2009 09:15:32 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-109897 Ditto. Where has this stuff been all my life Ditto. Where has this stuff been all my life

]]> By: dylandonaldson http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-88654 dylandonaldson Fri, 29 May 2009 07:15:32 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-88654 Ditto. Where has this stuff been all my life Ditto. Where has this stuff been all my life

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85586 Eric77 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:09:44 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85586 Thanks! I'll check it out. Thanks! I'll check it out.

]]> By: brgulker http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85583 brgulker Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:00:34 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85583 You should do a google search for an article entitled "Return to Tradition."<br><br>It quantifies exactly what you just described. There's a pretty large movement of churches who are engaging ancient liturgy for a variety of reasons. Sounds like it would interest you. You should do a google search for an article entitled “Return to Tradition.”

It quantifies exactly what you just described. There's a pretty large movement of churches who are engaging ancient liturgy for a variety of reasons. Sounds like it would interest you.

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85581 Eric77 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:53:29 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85581 No, I haven't been to an emergent church, which is my main reason for asking the questions. That's interesting that they're taking traditional liturgy and using it, so the candles would make sense. I've found that many people in my (relatively younger) age bracket are attracted to liturgical churches and traditions of past ages after growing up in non-denominational churches with contemporary worship services.<br><br>Again, thanks for answering my questions. I pose them merely to become more knowledgeable. No, I haven't been to an emergent church, which is my main reason for asking the questions. That's interesting that they're taking traditional liturgy and using it, so the candles would make sense. I've found that many people in my (relatively younger) age bracket are attracted to liturgical churches and traditions of past ages after growing up in non-denominational churches with contemporary worship services.

Again, thanks for answering my questions. I pose them merely to become more knowledgeable.

]]> By: brgulker http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85566 brgulker Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:15:05 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85566 I don't say this to be condescending in any way, so please don't interpret it that way at all. It is only curiosity on my part.<br><br>Have you ever participated in worship at an emerging church?<br><br>The services can take a variety of forms, but one common trend is to resurrect ancient, traditional liturgy and blend it together with contemporary culture. Including candles in worship, for example, is one common form that this blending takes place.<br><br>You're right, it is associated with high church. This inclusion of high church tradition with contemporary culture is part of what constitutes emerging worship in many churches. I don't say this to be condescending in any way, so please don't interpret it that way at all. It is only curiosity on my part.

Have you ever participated in worship at an emerging church?

The services can take a variety of forms, but one common trend is to resurrect ancient, traditional liturgy and blend it together with contemporary culture. Including candles in worship, for example, is one common form that this blending takes place.

You're right, it is associated with high church. This inclusion of high church tradition with contemporary culture is part of what constitutes emerging worship in many churches.

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85561 Eric77 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:32:11 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85561 Ah, I see. Thanks. I just didn't get the connection between candles and post-modern young adults. I didn't realize candles were something they were into. I figured candles are more of a traditional, high-church thing. But maybe post-modern adults are into that too. I don't know. Ah, I see. Thanks. I just didn't get the connection between candles and post-modern young adults. I didn't realize candles were something they were into. I figured candles are more of a traditional, high-church thing. But maybe post-modern adults are into that too. I don't know.

]]> By: Lord_Voldemort http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85560 Lord_Voldemort Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:29:24 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85560 Okay, so on one hand, the Emerging Church is not tied down to any worship style, but on the other hand, we can "light all the candles we want, they are not coming." So basically it's anything goes except for candles. Got it.<br><br>LV Okay, so on one hand, the Emerging Church is not tied down to any worship style, but on the other hand, we can “light all the candles we want, they are not coming.” So basically it's anything goes except for candles. Got it.

LV

]]> By: brgulker http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85553 brgulker Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:13:06 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85553 Yeah, that makes sense to me, too. It gives simple concreteness to an otherwise elusive term.<br><br>It also helps justify these movements, in my view, because it explains these churches as simply being authentic expressions of the individuals that comprise them. <br><br>Well said. Yeah, that makes sense to me, too. It gives simple concreteness to an otherwise elusive term.

It also helps justify these movements, in my view, because it explains these churches as simply being authentic expressions of the individuals that comprise them.

Well said.

]]> By: brgulker http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85552 brgulker Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:12:05 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85552 I think it means that some churches will never attract post-modern, urban adults. And in order for those churches to even try to do so, they have to become something they essentially are not.<br><br>So, in order to attract post-modern young adults, people light candles, utilize the arts, play contemporary music, etc. However, for some churches all of that is little more than an act, because it's not an accurate representation of who they are.<br><br>Her argument is that such attempts are ultimately transparent and come across as contrived.<br><br>On the other hand, when a post-modern, urban young person starts her own church, it naturally and organically attracts people like her. I think it means that some churches will never attract post-modern, urban adults. And in order for those churches to even try to do so, they have to become something they essentially are not.

So, in order to attract post-modern young adults, people light candles, utilize the arts, play contemporary music, etc. However, for some churches all of that is little more than an act, because it's not an accurate representation of who they are.

Her argument is that such attempts are ultimately transparent and come across as contrived.

On the other hand, when a post-modern, urban young person starts her own church, it naturally and organically attracts people like her.

]]> By: oalston http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85534 oalston Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:05:30 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85534 With all due respect I wanted to ask what you would say to the lack of racial diversity in the emerging church? I was pleased to see a woman write this article because many from within my community and without think that the emerging church is mostly white, educated, middle or upper class White men. How would you also speak to the lack of economic diversity in the emerging church? I know if an African-American female emerging pastor from Seattle but other than that I do not know of many people of color or poor people who are leaders of emerging churches or in the emerging church movement.<br><br>I have spoken to prominent emerging church leaders about this issue and they agree that it is a problem. I know Brian McLaren does a conference with African emerging church leaders but I am talking about the emerging church in America. Thank you. With all due respect I wanted to ask what you would say to the lack of racial diversity in the emerging church? I was pleased to see a woman write this article because many from within my community and without think that the emerging church is mostly white, educated, middle or upper class White men. How would you also speak to the lack of economic diversity in the emerging church? I know if an African-American female emerging pastor from Seattle but other than that I do not know of many people of color or poor people who are leaders of emerging churches or in the emerging church movement.

I have spoken to prominent emerging church leaders about this issue and they agree that it is a problem. I know Brian McLaren does a conference with African emerging church leaders but I am talking about the emerging church in America. Thank you.

]]> By: derelicte http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85491 derelicte Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:52:16 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85491 Sounds about right... Sounds about right…

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85485 Eric77 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:33:10 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85485 "light all the candles you want to; they are not coming" <br><br>What do you think that means? I was unsure when I read it. “light all the candles you want to; they are not coming”

What do you think that means? I was unsure when I read it.

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85478 Eric77 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:52:55 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85478 "Christian communities that emerge out of very particular cultural contexts where the traditional church is basically irrelevant."<br><br>I'm one of those people who is wondering what an emerging church is, and this one sentence definition and the following description is the most helpful one I've been given. Thank you Nadia. “Christian communities that emerge out of very particular cultural contexts where the traditional church is basically irrelevant.”

I'm one of those people who is wondering what an emerging church is, and this one sentence definition and the following description is the most helpful one I've been given. Thank you Nadia.

]]> By: brgulker http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/23/my-definition-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-85477 brgulker Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:51:52 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=7237#comment-85477 Best comment I've read in a while:<br><br>"This is why I want to make a T-shirt that says “light all the candles you want to; they are not coming.” The back of the shirt would say, “It’s ok to be who you are (traditional, suburban, small town, conservative, Methodist … whatever it is …. Be it.” Best comment I've read in a while:

“This is why I want to make a T-shirt that says “light all the candles you want to; they are not coming.” The back of the shirt would say, “It’s ok to be who you are (traditional, suburban, small town, conservative, Methodist … whatever it is …. Be it.”

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