New Emerging Church

[Aquila]

Can anyone present bullet points illustrating exactly what's being referred to as the "Emerging Church"? What makes them different?

[Fiyahstarter]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Can anyone present bullet points illustrating exactly what's being referred to as the "Emerging Church"? What makes them different?

I think it's about as varied as the definition of "Apostolic" . . . or the definition of "Holy" . . . or the definition of "Saved". You get the picture.

[Jethro Bodine]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church

for more enlightening info!

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Sherri

I don't like the term Emerging Church at all. It has only led to a lot of confusion in the Body of Christ. What Pentecostals call "Emerging Church" is not the same as what the bigger church world calls "Emerging Church". I don't want to have anything to do with it. It's too loosey-goosey, artsy-fartsy for me.

Originally Posted by ChicagoPastor

I think that as far as Apostolics go the "emerging church" is just a fancier way of saying "they've gone or are going charismatic"


I agree Sherri.
"emerging church" outside of Pentecost means a lot more than it does inside Pentecost.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Can anyone present bullet points illustrating exactly what's being referred to as the "Emerging Church"? What makes them different?

Originally Posted by Fiyahstarter

I think it's about as varied as the definition of "Apostolic" . . . or the definition of "Holy" . . . or the definition of "Saved". You get the picture.

Ask a dozen different theologians and you will get a dozen different answers.

It is somewhat akin to the dilemma facing the Supreme Court in the sixties when presented with a series of cases addressing newly passed obscenity laws which were consolidated, and forced them to actually define terms like obscenity. In what was one of the most noted quotes of the era Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart stated when trying to explain "hard-core" pornography, or what is obscene, by saying, "I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced . . . but I know it when I see it . . . " this was reduced in pop culture to him having said, "I don't know how to define pornography but I know it when I see it".

The use of this illustration is solely for the purpose of pointing out there is not and perhaps at this point cannot be a concise "point by point" definition of "emerging church" because there are just too many variations and sub-variations all claiming the term. Generally speaking it is the philosophy of abandoning normative brick and mortar, Sunday school, and other things most think of as how to "hold church", in order to reach the post-modern "truth is relative crowd." Once again a gross oversimplification.

HOWEVER, I would also concur with the above posters that it carries a totally different connotation when used among Apostolic denominations especially within the UPCI. I have myself requested a more precise definition for several who oppose it only to be given something akin to the "I can't define it but I know it when I see it" type statement.

As best as I can gather used in that environ it is close to a mere repackaging of what most here would call "charismatic standards" and PCI or "one stepper" theology.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Maple Leaf

I couldn't figure out who JH or MJ were so I went ahead and picked out the initials I did know and called JJ at WEC, and I got the impression that he wasn't concerned as long as the emerging church leaders weren't among his supporters for GS at the next GC. OK? (TIC)

(BTW the initials MJ do not refer to a whited out pop star or a washed up NBA player)

Did anybody else hear the rumour that both BO and SP will be addressing the first conference of the emerging church? BO will be speaking on the fundamental importance of change, and SP will be speaking on the need to change your clothes, often.

The great fear at WEC must be that the new emerging church will take all of their young ministers, and they would surely miss both of them.

How come nobody uses real names anymore?

[Pastor Keith]

Would someone rather be the opposite of Emerging church, thus be a Sub-merging church.

I may not know what emerging church means, but I do not want to be a sub-merging church!

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by Apprehended

It sounds as though it is ecumenical...as though there is a movement to merge together. But, like I said, I have no idea what it is.

I think you are speaking of the lesser known Merging Church.

[Sherri]

The Emerging Church that I've seen so far is basically a reinvention of the Jesus Movement of the early 70's. But the ones leading the movement today don't remember the early 70's because they were too young, so they think they have a whole new idea.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Sherri

The Emerging Church that I've seen so far is basically a reinvention of the Jesus Movement of the early 70's. But the ones leading the movement today don't remember the early 70's because they were too young, so they think they have a whole new idea.

Why isn't it a reinvention of the way they had church in the time of the apostles?

[edjen01]

Originally Posted by Justin

How come nobody uses real names anymore?

thank you.