[There was a delay on posting this but the sediment is the same.] I had a good talk with my senior pastor, Dave today. [perhaps one of the last good face-to-faces we'll have for a while.] {Why?} We discussed Andy's last link to Pagitt's article I got to thinking about some of the things we talked about, so while it was fresh I thought I would share with you. [I may edit this later to reflect Dave's thoughts more acurately.]

"Emerging churches seek to live as missional communities". Dave would caution emergents to not wander aimlessly with no plan or strategy. I would agree. If you don't know what to do, or that you should do, that is a problem. He sees a element of emergent as being resistant to structure of any kind. Does this sound familiar ChOG historians? I would say that in our structuring period, we made some bone-headed choices. Like strategizing according to skin color. That was made in light of unity in the church being one of the pillars of our movement. Culture affected us on that one. Many emergents would say that Go and make disciples is enough direction for us.
Dave would also say that emergents are more concerned with being than doing. Being a disciple that is. I would agree with that too. Although it doesn't have to be either/or. Relationship is where change happens. Because of relationship we are compelled to action. I see this as living out what we find in James. I see this also as part of a holistic worldview, which has been very prevalent in the culture for quite some time now. Synvergent thinking is using both right and left brains. So wouldn't faith and deeds be synvergent faith? For hundreds of years haven't we done church and faith dominated by our left brain? Just a thought.

"Communities in the emerging movements value theology." Dave is concerned that the emergent church doesn't go "loosie-goosie" on theology for the sake of freedom. I would agree. As Dan Kimball has said," Jesus has made some strong claims about who he is. If we follow Him, there are things that we cannot compromise on." [that quote was very "loosie-goosie."] Dave also references Brian McLearn a lot with his uncomfortable-ness [check out the Power Point slides from the emergent convention on the right sidebar][Hmmm, this seems to be where Pagitt got a lot of his thoughts]. I must shamefully confess that I have not read enough of his stuff to know where he stands on a lot of things. Not enough to comment whether I agree with him or not. I have heard him speak two times, and read a few articles. Which I haven't heard or read anything that would put him in or near the universalist camp. But that is a lot of the third party feedback I've picked up on. [Dang, Amazon here I come again. If he truly is one of the most influential evangelical's I better get influenced.] I think practical, daily theology is important to understanding who you are. I think we find that in life with Jesus - "Here he goes on relationship again". Well? I'm right aren't I? If we are communing with Jesus in our whole self, He will reveal more of himself to us - Truth. It is important to be truthful, is it not?

Wow, that was a lot. I hope that will spur some thoughts and will benefit you as it did me.

Doug Pagitt has an article on RelevantMagazine.com with his take on Emergent.

• Emerging Churches strive to be positive about the future.

• Churches within the emerging community are committed to God in the way of Jesus.

• The Kingdom of God is a central conversation in emerging communities.

• The emerging church values communal life – living like family.

• Emerging churches seek to live as missional communities.

• Friendship and hospitality are transformational pieces in the emerging church.

• Communities in the emerging movement value theology.

LINK

it's odd. In many ways I like change. In others I'm really bad at it. So I think of the Church. If I handle some change really poorly, where does that leave the mamoth of the Church? If my new nick name is Elefante, what does that make the Church? Mastadon doesn't quite fit. hmmm. I am thinking of this becuase as some of you know I have accepted a new position at First Church of God, St. Joseph MI. I will be the High School pastor there. I am excited. I am in dread. I am happy. I am sad. There is so much new possibilty there. It feels like home in many ways. In others I've grown so comfortable in my little house on Merry Lane. But here we are. I'm confronted with the choice: Follow my spirit, or stay comfortable in my personality and the life familar. So I'm sure I'll mess something up. But that is the place where God can do his work. [thanks Mike Yaconelli]. So away we go. I'm reminded of childhood saturday nights in the early 80's with the Duke boys....
"YEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
[Can't you just hear the General Lee?]