In Defense of the Emergent Church
Shane Claiborne wrote recently about the “emergent church”. He says it’s “a very confusing trend within the contemporary renewal happening in the Church.”
I was sad reading his piece, and a little frustrated. He misses so much of what I hold dear about the emergent Christianity. Misses it entirely.
Emergence is how the world works
Here’s the opening sentence from Wikipedia’s article on Emergence:
In philosophy, systems theory, science, and art, emergence is the way complex systems and patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions.
Emergence, when applied as an idea to the church (the whole of Christianity) is an acknowledgement that systems, including theological ideas, social expectations, language, and ways of doing community, evolve, develop, and change over time. This is in contrast to much of recent Christendom, which has been based on entrenched power, and the fantasy that we have everything all worked out, that the truth is obvious and written down, that there are no questions yet to be asked (except by those who just haven’t been given the answers yet).
This so-called “emergent church” is what has made it possible for atheists (I’ve known several) and others who once rejected Christianity outright to see the beauty in the good news.
The other kind of church allows questioning, as long as it can provide the answers. The other kind of church is all for trying out new kinds of music, as long as the doctrine stays clear and consistent. But the emergent church — the church that’s about people exploring, questioning, doubting, changing their minds when new ideas look more promising — that church is alive! That church is interesting!
Criticism
I want to say a little bit about criticism. I don’t mean criticism of people — “you’re a dummy!” or “you’re the anti-christ!” I mean criticism of ideas. Part of this new way of looking at church involves subjecting ideas to criticism. It means being free to say “But ___ doesn’t really make sense to me. How can __ be true if __?” And out of conversations like that, we get better ideas. That’s what criticism can give us.
In a world where questions are “encouraged” only as an opening for experts to give answers, and criticism is not allowed, or is only given lip service, ideas do not improve.
Christendom is dead
The rule of the elite, with experts creating doctrine and the populace swallowing it, is gone. The emergent church is about thinking, feeling, experiencing the kingdom of God, and being free to see where that leads us. It’s beautiful, creative, and alive. And I’m so damn grateful.
I think the idea of “patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions” could very well describe our cohort. It reminded me of our discussion last night about our “purpose” – I think we can almost look back over the past few months of relatively simple interactions and derive a pattern and see where that is pointing us.
In regards to criticism, the challenge for us is also being willing to hear criticism from people who are not liking the direction emergent is taking. Hear the criticism, consider it, learn from it, and improve (like you mentioned). And I agree, that goes for critiquing Christian ideas and Church ideas.
I like that you say its about “being free to see where that leads us.” I’ve been in churches in the past where we thought, felt and experienced God, but only so far. The lines were pre-drawn. I like the idea that emergent/ence is charting new waters. And I am also quite grateful.
Thanks again for the post.
YES! I’m grateful too!
However after reading Shane’s article I think he would probably agree with you. We all love this new, changing freer church, and love the re-imagining that people are doing.
I think his point is more that he doesn’t like the brand, the image etc. of “Emergent”. Which I’m totally OK with people not liking, and don’t think they are not liking/critiquing me. It seems it was a useful label early on to help identify churches/people who were changing, re-thinking, etc. However now it seems it has come to mean churches/people who think/believe a certain way, and so maybe some people who still believe in substitutionary atonement got sick of being pegged emergent, and having that topic come up when they really just care about social justice whatever, who cares.
So I’m OK with emergent leaders leaving the label behind because it has outgrown it’s usefulness to them. I think it’s better to be defined by what you do then how you label yourself. If leaving the label behind (or keeping it) helps a church (or cohort) to re-think, and question what it means to be church in this new era (or city) then more power to that eh?
didn’t see your post Jesse.
maybe when we have our directions discussion we can try to gather critques: from within our community, from other authors who have critiqued emergent, etc. and just let the critiques sit for a while, not try to change anything right away or anything just let them set
I loved this tweet from Samir Selmanovic today, “We seek 2 be on ‘the growing edge’ of our faith. No need 2 be on ‘the cutting edge.’ We stay connected & follow life where it leads.”
I love that approach to looking for direction. When I get lost is when I forget it and start creating the path instead of watching and listening.
I remember one night, Tracy & I were walking and talking about what our ministry would be, or should be. Nothing sounded right until we sort of stumbled on the idea of “Wait. What are we actually doing? What does it actually look like?” And then we could ask how we wanted to shift it, what we love about it, what we’d like more of, what we’d like less of.
[…] This entry is part of a Synchroblog on “What is Emerging?” in the church today. Here’s a list of other contributions to this conversation. I’ll add more as they are posted – feel free to write your own post and send me the link! Pam Hogeweide compares the emerging church movement to a game of ping pong. Sarah-Ji comments that the emerging questions people are asking are far bigger than any defined movement. Sharon Brown writes about using labels as an excuse. Peter Walker reflects on how the emerging church conversation helped him recognize his power and privlege as a white male. Dave Huth posts a on new ways to talk about religion. Kathy Escobar finds hope in seeing a spirit of love in action emerging in the church. Nadia Bolz-Weber reflects on the the beautiful things she sees emerging in her church community. Chad Holtz writes on our Our Emerging Jewishness. MojoJules describes her organic entry into the emerging church and reflects on moving forward with a new public face. Dave Brown comments on the emerging church and swarm theory. Danielle Shoyer reflects on what is emerging in the church. Brian Merritt offers his pros and cons of the emerging church. Julie Clawson is grateful for emerging globalized Christianity. Susan Philips points out that emergence happens as G-d redeems our shattered realities. Mike Clawson reflects on the non-western voices that brought him to the emerging conversation. Jake Bouma suggest that what is emerging is a collapse into simplicity. Liz Dyer believes a chastened epistemology is a valuable characteristic emerging out of the church today. Rachel Held Evans writes on what is changing in the church. Tia Lynn Lecorchick describes the emerging movement as a wood between worlds (from The Magician’s Nephew). Amy Moffitt shares her journey towards a theology of humility. Travis Mamone comments on the need for the emerging church to rely on the word of God. Sa Say reflects on the the prick of doubt. David Henson lists what he sees as what is emerging in the church. Angela Harms writes in in defense of emergent. […]
[…] Pam Hogeweide compares the emerging church movement to a game of ping pong. Sarah-Ji comments that the emerging questions people are asking are far bigger than any defined movement. Sharon Brown writes about using labels as an excuse. Peter Walker reflects on how the emerging church conversation helped him recognize his power and privlege as a white male. Dave Huth post a on new ways to talk about religion. Kathy Escobar finds hope in seeing a spirit of love in action emerging in the church. Nadia Bolz-Weber reflects on the the beautiful things she sees emerging in her church community. Chad Holtz writes on our Our Emerging Jewishness. Julie Kennedy describes her organic entry into the emerging church and reflects on moving forward with a new public face. Dave Brown comments on the emerging church and swarm theory. Danielle Shoyer reflects on what she sees emerging in the church. Brian Merritt offers his pros and cons of the emerging church. Julie Clawson is grateful for emerging globalized Christianity. Susan Philips points out that emergence happens as G-d redeems our shattered realities. Mike Clawson reflects on the non-western voices that brought him to the emerging conversation. Jake Bouma suggest that what is emerging is a collapse into simplicity. Liz Dyer believes a chastened epistemology is a valuable characteristic emerging out of the church today. Rachel Held Evans writes on what is changing in the church. Tia Lynn Lecorchick describes the emerging movement as a wood between worlds (from The Magician’s Nephew). Amy Moffitt shares her journey towards a theology of humility. Travis Mamone comments on the need for the emerging church to rely on the word of God. Sa Say reflects on the the prick of doubt. David Henson lists what he sees as what is emerging in the church. Angela Harms writes in in defense of emergent. […]
[…] doubt. David Henson lists what he sees as what is emerging in the church. Angela Harms writes in in defense of emergent. Wendy Gritter asks how we can listening to the voices from the margins. Bruce Epperly comments on […]
[…] Angela Harms writes in in defense of emergent. […]
[…] Angela Harms writes in in defense of emergent. […]
[…] doubt. David Henson lists what he sees as what is emerging in the church. Angela Harms writes in in defense of emergent. Wendy Gritter asks how we can listening to the voices from the margins. Bruce Epperly comments on […]
I love it. “Christendom is dead” need we say more. Much respect.