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November 22, 2005
If you have any opinions on "emerging churches", well then you need to read this book so that you are better informed.
There is a new book out that I have been waiting for several months to read. It is co-written by Fuller Theological Seminary professors Eddie Gibbs, whom you many know from his
CT Award for his book Church Next,and Ryan Bolger.
The book is Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures, and is a compilation of their five years of research on "emerging churches" in the United States and the UK.
I am not very far into the book at this point, but it is definitely the most comprehensive treatment that I have read on "emerging churches." They have spent the last five years compiling data, doing research, visiting churches and speaking to those in ministry. So if you are looking for a book on "emerging churches" that is more than just someone's thoughts or opionions, this is it, as it reads more like a Ph.D dissertation (though not dry like some of those can be). Though Gibbs and Bolger probably have their personal opinions on "emerging churches", the book at this point is rather their unveiling of what their research has turned up, and what it is pointing to.
What I have found most interesting so far in my reading is that "emerging churches" are nothing new, but rather what we are seeing now is the fruition of conversation and movement that has been happening since the early 90's, if not earlier. But most of that has gone undetected my those in mainstream churches. So why most of us are running around crying out "fad" or "trend", or wondering what this is....well, it has been in process for years.
As I read through this book I will be commenting on some of the things that I come across, and I hope it will stir discussion.
I have a lot to say, but I will leave you with this extended quote from Chapter 2 of their book, concerning the dismantling or deconstruction of modern church structure:
Because of this essential dismantling work, some outside of the movement have said that those in emerging churches do not love the church or that they are full of negativity because of their propensity for dismantling church structures. This is to misread the movement entirely. What to some may appear to be pointless complaining is part of a larger process of dismantling ideas of church that simply are not viable in postmodern culture. Neither the gospel nor the culture demands these expressions of the faith. Emerging churches remove modern practices of Christianity, not the faith itself. Western Christianity has wed itself to a culture, the modern culture, which is now in decline. Many of us do not know what a postmodern or post-Christendom expression of faith looks like. Perhaps nobody does. But we need to give these leaders space to have this conversation, for this dismantling needs to occur if we are to see the gospel translated for and embodied in twenty-first-century Western culture. In many ways, this is a fragile movement that can be marginalized by denominational leaders and killed with criticism by theological power brokers. Whatever reservations people may have, these new voices need to be heard. Many of these innovative leaders are looking for mentors rather than critics. (pp.28-29)
Closing ruminations:
Is not the current structure that you are part of, whether it be political, ecclesiastical, business, etc....are they not the fruition or the outcome of something that had been previously dismantled?
I wonder if denominational leaders or "theological power brokers" are interested in conversing or mentoring those in "emerging churches" or rather, they see them as a threat to their own sense of control and power?
We can discuss and question whether or not something can and should be dismantled....but I wonder if we ever reflect on our own theological traditions and ponder how much dismantling occured for us to be where we are....and then, are we at the right place, or does more dismantling need to occur in this process.
Posted by rhett at November 22, 2005 11:37 AM
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Comments
I am not keen on the phrase 'theological power brokers.' It has some negative connotations. As though these people were fat cats making a living off of selling old time religion instead of honest men looking trying to discover and uphold biblical orthodoxies. It implies that they are giants needed to be overthrown and little emergent David is just the one to do it. It is impossible to mentor leaders when they have that mindset.
As for little emergent David, what has always bothered me about him is his willingness to chuck everything to become culturally appropriate to a culture that can scarcely be defined. To him I say, let�s wait and see what this culture becomes.
But my question for you is this, is this emergent movement something that seems to be a primary focus at Fuller? Because I know a lot of alumni and students there that are of the emergent persuasion.
Posted by: Dave Derus at November 22, 2005 02:54 PM
Here's a question: What do we care more about - the gospel or our institution? Isn't that one of the main problems that Jesus had with the religious leaders of his day? It's not that they didn't care about God. It's not that they weren't good observers of law, tradition and were generally good people. It's that they had put their trust in that set of rules, the structure and not in God.
Personally speaking, I'm waiting for the "Church" to be blown up in a big way. Yeah, it would be tough for me to get a job... but I think I'd make do. We need more people who are willing to ask tough questions of our structures - and continue to ask them once they "get theirs" - which is one of the problems with ordination. Once you're a part of the system, what incentive is there to demo it? I think that's the struggle I'm going to have for the rest of my life - or until the bomb goes off...
Posted by: Don at November 22, 2005 04:10 PM
I just picked up this book last Thursday at Dallas Theological Seminary. It is the book I have planned to read over Thanksgiving break. I will comment later with my thoughts..as insignificant as they may be.
Posted by: emergentmatt at November 22, 2005 06:43 PM
Thanks for the info.
Posted by: KC at November 22, 2005 06:45 PM
In case you didn't know Ryan will be the guest at the next so-cal emergent meeting. Info here:
http://emergentsocal.blogspot.com/2005/10/december-gathering-w-ryan-bolger.html
Posted by: Andrew Seely at November 22, 2005 09:47 PM
Obviously there are a variety of comments on this issue...in response to whether or not Fuller is all about emergent...I would say that Fuller definitely has some "emergent" type thinkers on its faculty, as well as a large student body that is along this line...or has questions along this line...but by no means is emergent restricted to Fuller....I think being in Los Angeles, it is easier to discuss this topic and begin communities than maybe other parts of the country...but that is slowly changing...
Posted by: Rhett Smith at November 23, 2005 01:40 PM
Don,
I do not understand the need to demo it. It is not like church is detrimental to the gospel. Maybe one could argue that it could be done in other ways for certain people but to say that this way is flawed and needs to be demolished is a little much.
Rhett,
I was thinking about going to Fuller but I am not of the emergent persuasion, obviously, do you think that I would have a hard time learning there?
Posted by: Dave Derus at November 23, 2005 01:50 PM
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