Posted on 12/07/2004 5:12:03 AM PST by missyme
As we enter the 21st century, a vital new expression of Christianity is growing in the United States and worldwide. This movement even has a name. It is called "the Emergent Church."
This movement expresses what I call "progressive evangelicalism," because it emphasizes traditional evangelical beliefs - affirming the doctrines of the Apostle's Creed, a high view of Scripture and the importance of a personal transforming relationship with a resurrected Christ - yet rejects the structures and styles of institutionalized Christianity. The Emergent Church
The Emergent Church turns away from spending money on buildings. Instead, most congregations meet as "house churches" or gather in makeshift storefronts and warehouses.
Emergent churches espouse a decentralized grassroots form of Christianity that rejects the hierarchal systems of denominational churches. Each emergent congregation makes its own decisions by consensus.
Leadership is fluid, with all members sharing authority and participating in the mission of the church. Task forces are assembled to undertake such specific programs as feeding the homeless, establishing a partnership with a Third World church, developing an after-school tutoring program for disadvantaged children or organizing people in a poor neighborhood to solve pressing social problems.
The missionary programs of such congregations are committed to direct involvement with those they decide to serve. These churches want little to do with bureaucratic organizations with professional administrators. Members of these congregations want to be involved personally with those in need. They want to know the names and faces of the people they serve.
Emergent congregations must not be confused with those nondenominational mega-churches that seem to be popping up increasingly in communities across the nation. In fact, the two are markedly different.
Emergent churches often express a disdain for the "contemporary-worship music" heard in many mega-churches.
The worship in emergent churches often includes classical music, and such congregations often follow a more formal liturgical style that may even incorporate such ancient forms of praying as that of monastic orders.
The people who join emergent congregations are often folks who have tired of what goes on in churches that have "contemporary services."
A postmodern mindset
The Emergent Church is often somewhat indifferent to theological and social issues that seem urgent to mainstream evangelicalism. These church members tend to think that the crusade against homosexual marriage is a waste of time and energy, and they tend to reject the exclusivistic claims that many evangelicals make about salvation.
They are not about to damn the likes of Gandhi or the Dali Lama to hell simply because they have not embraced Christianity.
In many ways, these Christians express a postmodern mindset that may come across as being somewhat "new age."
They see care for the environment as a major Christian responsibility. They are attracted to Christian mysticism. They talk a great deal about "spiritual formation" and focus significant attention on the healing of illnesses through prayer.
This new expression of Christianity is growing faster than most sociologists could have predicted. It is thriving, in part, because so many people are fed up with the arguing and pettiness that they claim are all too evident in the rest of Christendom.
It remains to be seen whether the Emergent Church will fade away or become an ongoing expression of Christianity.
But there is no question that it is attracting many sophisticated Christians who contend that traditional mainline churches are devoid of vitality and mega-churches are irrelevantly narrow.
Nevermind. # 100 is for you, too.
I think I know what you mean but the cost of salvation was incredibly high. It's just you and I didn't and couldn't pay it. Thanks be to God that that the only one who had the bona fides agreed to pay with his life while we were yet sinners.
"and they tend to reject the exclusivistic claims that many evangelicals make about salvation."
Whoa! Sounded real good to me until I got to that line. How can you both reject the exclusivity of the gospel and at the same time, hold to the tenets of the historic Christian faith?
Emergent church: hmmm, still not sure about it.
Amen to that.
I was hoping that the Emergent church was a turn to the traditions of old, to more 1st century church ways, but alas may be getting sucked into this new age "transformation" of thinking that has its' grips in so many areas of life: politics, economics, business, education...church.
"I'm familiar with several that would fall into the "emerging church" category. They are quite sound theologically and would certainly not say all beliefs are valid or true. "
I'm glad to hear that.
re 52: thanks for the info!
Your tag line reads: We want hard, tough, seasoned leaders who will methodically destroy the people who would kill us. Do you want hard, tough, seasoned spiritual leaders who will methodically destroy the false teaching that would kill us spiritually?
Would you return to a mainstream denomination if the leaders would lead with conviction?
I expected as much by the title.
Such a movement already exists - the "Restoration" movement, which includes the Cambellite "Churches of Christ", the "Disciples of Christ", and other "no creed but Christ, no law but love" denominations. Odd that this "Emergent" movement hasn't hooked up with the "Restoration" churches, either.
Assuming that "returning to more 1st century ways" is the Emergents' primary intent (and assumming the Restoration movement is doing it right), I think Leonard210's summation is most accurate:
From post #19: "This is simply the "youth" culture isolating themselves from their elders"
One is not in Christ until Salvation.
Yet because I have stated in an righteous spirit that I have trouble with a doctrine you call me a fool.
Mat 5:22: But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.
My trouble is not with God, but with a doctrine, whether by ignorance or righteousness. It is not however by the arrogance of questioning Gods divine nature, it is by humble seeking of His servant.
Be careful the attitude you hold in your heart towards those who you disagree.
First: seasoned does not apply to spiritual leadership.
Second: destroy the false teachings like denominations?
Would you return to a mainstream denomination if the leaders would lead with conviction?
Conviction: no
Mainstream: By what standard?
By the Word of God: Yes
Be careful who you place in this category. By the standard of many in "churches" Christ Himself would have been labeled the same way.
Does this place another light on this phenomenon:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_Church
Bondslave to the Christ
chuck
Really? I let him do his own talking. How can you say that I told you anything?
Here is what I wrote in #99: "Your comments seem to indicate that you disapprove of the God who said this: Romans 9: 20-22
I'll let YOU tell ME what he said there. Quote him.
Based upon your previous comments it "seemed" to me that you were one of those he spoke about in verse 20 who would question his right to make "vessels of wrath fit for destruction" if he chose to.
If you agree with what he said he has a right to do (which you will hopefully quote here from Romans 9:20-22), then I'll apologize for misinterpreting your comments.
Amen. John.6:28-29
This isn't the same as "The Local Church" is it?
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