As some of you know–-and as I have already self-confessed in an earlier post–-I am intrigued by the emerging church “conversation”. While I could be labeled as a sheep following the latest popular packaging of Christianity, I think my intrigue stems more from the novus occurring in my life in general. As I have been wrestling with what it looks like to do ministry and be a Christ-follower in the post-modern matrix, the emerging church conversation has resonated with and excited me. But I have wondered, of late, where the conversation is heading. Is this merely a collection of disgruntled young Christians expressing youth angst and generational conflict/disagreement? Or is this an awakening, of sorts. Is this conversation the beginning of a larger re-understanding of Christian spirituality and the emergence of a return to what is real about God and His reality?
A very wise friend asked me a few weekends ago where the emerging church conversation is going. An even more insightful observation she made was whether it will even be in “existence” 10 years from now. Like her I wonder…I wonder because it seems what is occurring among my generation can either be labeled a fad or a movement. If it is a fad, something will replace the emerging conversation in the typical 3-5 year lifecycle. If it is a movement, then hold on to your hat because this is going to be a wild ride. Even more so, if this is a generational movement–the likes of which could rival the seismic shift and rancor of the Protestant Reformation–then the modern (philosophical) and older (generational) establishment will have to contend with us.
Again, I’m not sure what it is yet, but I stumbled across a post on Andrew Jones’ blogsite which might help give direction. He posted an email from his professor at Fuller Theological Seminary which describes the criteria for revitalization movements. The content is worth a look, and I’d be curious if you all feel a true revival and renewal movement is a foot in the Church given the following criteria:
Email from Dr Paul Pierson [typos corrected and bullets added]:
“Dear Andrew; Ryan asked me to send this to you. The list of factors observed in revival and renewal movements throughout history is flexible and some of these can be combined, but here is a list.
– They always begin on the periphery of the institutional church
– They are motivated by a transforming experience (grace) of God by an individual or group.
– The result is the desire for a more authentic Christian life that often leads to concern for the church and world.
– Face to face groups for prayer, Bible study, mutual encouragement are important.
– New methods of selecting and training leaders become important. These are less institutional, more grass roots and lay oriented.
– There are theological breakthroughs, that is, rediscovery of aspects of the Biblical message that have been forgotten or overlooked by the Church, usually they involve a focus on the gifts of every believer.
– There is a leveling effect, distance decreases between clergy and laity, social classes, races, men and women, and denominations.
– The movement is countercultural in some ways, often because it reaches out to those who have not been valued by their society.– Consequently there will be opposition by many in the dominant culture and church.
– There will often be manifestations of spiritual warfare. such movements sense the reality of evil and the need to recognize the vistory of Christ in the cross and resurrection.
– At times there will be unusual manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit; healings, visions, glossalalia, miracles. etc.
– More flexible structures of church and mission will be needed and often emerge, different from traditional structures.
– The movement will be led to significant recontextualization of the Christian message, which will be communicated more widely by lay persons to those outside the church.
– New music is often a characteristic.
– Biblical concepts ignored by the traditional church but relevant to the hearers are often discovered.
– There will be a growing concern for the marginalized, often expressed in ministries of compassion.
– At a later stage this often leads to concern for broader social transformation.
– As the movement matures there will be concern for the renewal of the broader church.
– As the movement continues to mature many will see themselves not only as part of the particular movement but as citizens of the Kingdom of God, transcending their own movement.
– Finally, every movement is less than perfect and often messy at the edges and sometimes, at the center. This is inevitable as long as sinful humans are involved.
I hope this is helpful. Cordially, Paul Pierson
So, might the emerging church conversation be a movement, after all? Does this criteria potentially point to a renewal and revival movement within the Church, regardless what it is called? What do you think?
be His,
