Emergent Church

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Derrick Sample

THAT's what I was trying to say -- you just did it better

LOL... I don't know about better... but we did it.

[edjen01]

most organizations...including the UPCI....fears something that is new, different, and not like them. The knee jerk reaction is to declare it all heresy and that "were a gin it". This has been the stance of many conservative Christian organizations....not just the UPCI...with regards to the emergent church movement.

[edjen01]

Originally Posted by pelathais

That's my biggest quibble - it sounds like folks around your place are really "getting back to their roots" rather than "emerging from old traditional customs..."

The real old timers never preached half the stuff that started getting added in the '50's and 60's - like uncut hair on women, no "pants" on women, no jewelry at all, etc.

When Howard Goss retired as UPC General Superintendent, Sister Morgan (the incoming GS's wife) wore a modest strand of pearls to the reception they had for him at General Conference. Imagine something like that today.

true dat. the real difficulty happens when we try to return to our "roots" only to find out that we really are just an off-shoot or branch of something else.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Kings Kid

They also do comtemplative mysticism.

Sounds like the Unitarians......

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by Kings Kid

They accept the teachings of different religions They replace bible study with studying someones book. And most emerging churches are big on contemplative prayer.

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Sounds like the Unitarians......

Kings Kid,
What is your source for these statements? Is there something I can look up to find this information? I'm asking, not to challenge your statements, so much as to make sure we're talking about the same things. I would be extremely surprised (and disappointed) to learn that Jesus' Name baptized, Holy Ghost-filled saints are dabbling into mysticism and relying on other authorities over the inspired Word of God.

Be blessed.

[George]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Though I do not share your enthusiasm with this opinion, as the years go by I am persuaded more and more of the "bald head = power" line of thinking.

LOL I was just making something up to create a fight since it seemed that is what you wanted. As years pass, bald is becoming more beautiful. LOL Just keep it shined.

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by George

LOL I was just making something up to create a fight since it seemed that is what you wanted. As years pass, bald is becoming more beautiful. LOL Just keep it shined.

I'm almost 42 and still have all my hair. I'm hoping to beat the odds. My younger brother is already 75% bald, so I'm really hoping I've snuck past the baldness fairy unnoticed.

Gray is another matter altogether, though. I have a few of those, mostly in my beard, but nothing a little "Just For Men" won't resolve if I were so inclined.

[Romans 14:22]

Originally Posted by jaamez

Thanks, Innocuous, for trying to bring some explanation to what this whole term means. Until I joined AFF last Fall, I had never even heard of the term "emergent" relating to the church. All I knew is that everyone thought we were backslid because we were going into bars and witnessing to people and then we were showing up to Sunday meetings/services in jeans and tennis shoes.

I wonder if Romans 14:22 would be willing to post the link to the website mentioned in his/her opening post. That might help explain things a little better as well. Especially if we look at it in the context of it being a UPCI-affiliated church.

Here ya go:

http://www.mywayoflife.org/

Also type "way of life community church" into youtube and you will find many videos of there worship service. It is not a traditional UPC type service although they are in the UPC. Some ladies wear pants some don't. I really don't know a lot about it. They also don't mention doctrine at all on there web page.

Is this the way of the future and the old traditions are left by the wayside? I am struggling with leaving tradition and when I see it face to face it freaks me out. I don't know if I could make the plunge.

[George]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

LOL... The emergent church is NOT a doctrine.

I think it is time to scuttle the name.

People have already formed their opinions by a few examples of churches that went directions that they didn't like and the whole movement is tagged.

This is like saying that you went to a store front church and they were preaching trinity etc and so... the obvious conclusion is...


Store front churches are false doctrine.

Good grief.

I am not going to argue with you, but you need to do some research. Emergent Church is a doctrine. It has nothing to do with churches trying to be relevant or return to their roots. The Emerging Church movement envisions a utopia in which the oppressed of the world are free, the poor are no longer impoverished and the environment is clean. This paradise is achieved through social activism. Many emergent leaders think it is selfish folly to live for the return of Christ.

[edjen01]

Originally Posted by jaamez

Kings Kid,
What is your source for these statements? Is there something I can look up to find this information? I'm asking, not to challenge your statements, so much as to make sure we're talking about the same things. I would be extremely surprised (and disappointed) to learn that Jesus' Name baptized, Holy Ghost-filled saints are dabbling into mysticism and relying on other authorities over the inspired Word of God.

Be blessed.

Hebrew Sages...wisemen...prophets...have often been called & labeled "mystics". Because they put more stock in the spirit world than in the physical one. The prophet Samuel was considered a mystic....because he seemed to have the ability to converse with God continually....orthodox Jews still pray at his tomb every day because they believe/hope that God will hear them....sort of like tapping into Samuel's direct line to God.