Why do we argue – when we can understand.
Why do we assume – when we can simply ask.
Why do we attack – when we can join.
The next series of posts will be examples of the things that we do to divide us. I will try to show that there is a middle road in the midst of some of the disagreements that we have with each other. Sometimes the older generation is fearful of what the younger generation is trying to say. Sometimes the younger generation does not know what they are trying to say exactly. But if our hearts are in the right place, then we can find our middle road and continue walking together.
There is a middle road to the arguments and disagreements (whether petty or viable) that we have inside of the Church. There is a path that we can all tread together. A rope that we can all pull together. A conversation that we can all have together. We need to find these ‘middle roads’ so that we can understand each other. Then we can get to a point where we can adapt and subsequently join. And it is essential that we join. We need each other. And those without Hope and help need us, too.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Emergent Church
What is the emergent church? What does that mean? Does it actually mean anything? Does it have a real definition yet? Is it good? Is it worse than Scientology? What in the world is the Emergent Church???
Well, to begin, let’s talk about some of the things that we do know for sure. First, the Emergent Church is still so young that it doesn’t really have a definition yet. It is still in the beginning stages. It still needs to be fleshed out and solidified. One person’s definition and understanding of the Emergent Church might be completely different from anothers. How can we propose or deny things that we do not truly know yet? Honestly, the Emergent Church does not have a universal and common meaning or definition. Give it some time. Let it simmer. Then we can see if it tastes good.
Second, the Emergent Church is not evil. It’s not. We know that. Even the people who might not like it, they cannot honestly call it evil. It is not like the Emergent Church is trying to COMPLETELY change the church and roll around in blasphemy and frolick in heresy. They don't. And it's not evil. We all need to find some common ground there. We know for sure that this is not a purely evil conspiracy.
Third, we know that this new breakthrough has not played itself out yet. It is still relatively new. There have been some great books about the emergent thought. There have been excellent church examples of this emergent philosophy. It is starting to gain ground and gain structure and framework, but it is not to the point where it is decisive yet. It is too new. We have not seen the scope of its proven successes. We have not seen its pro's and con's. We have not seen what this house will look like. So how can we say if it is successful or not? Just as we know for sure that it is not evil, we know for sure that it's not a proven success yet, either. It's still new. It's still early. It's still developing. Before we crown it the most wonderful thing since sliced beads (yes, sliced beads) - we need to see if it is even successful and good for the church. We really do not know yet.
The final thing that we know for sure is this: we are all on the same team. Emergent church. Old church. Young church. New church. No matter what it is, where you are from, how old you are, or what you believe - we are all on the same team. We all want Christ to further. We all want the Message to spread. We want the Church to grow. We are all on the same team. We know that for sure. And we need to remember that. For sure.
So what is the Emergent Church? Here’s what it is. It’s frustration about the Church’s failures. It’s a cry for relevancy toward a new generation. It’s a desire for community. It’s a passion for the lost and the lonely. It's a hope for a better Church...out of a love for the Church...and an obedience to be the best we can be.
And I think we can all agree that those are good things. Let’s start there.
Well, to begin, let’s talk about some of the things that we do know for sure. First, the Emergent Church is still so young that it doesn’t really have a definition yet. It is still in the beginning stages. It still needs to be fleshed out and solidified. One person’s definition and understanding of the Emergent Church might be completely different from anothers. How can we propose or deny things that we do not truly know yet? Honestly, the Emergent Church does not have a universal and common meaning or definition. Give it some time. Let it simmer. Then we can see if it tastes good.
Second, the Emergent Church is not evil. It’s not. We know that. Even the people who might not like it, they cannot honestly call it evil. It is not like the Emergent Church is trying to COMPLETELY change the church and roll around in blasphemy and frolick in heresy. They don't. And it's not evil. We all need to find some common ground there. We know for sure that this is not a purely evil conspiracy.
Third, we know that this new breakthrough has not played itself out yet. It is still relatively new. There have been some great books about the emergent thought. There have been excellent church examples of this emergent philosophy. It is starting to gain ground and gain structure and framework, but it is not to the point where it is decisive yet. It is too new. We have not seen the scope of its proven successes. We have not seen its pro's and con's. We have not seen what this house will look like. So how can we say if it is successful or not? Just as we know for sure that it is not evil, we know for sure that it's not a proven success yet, either. It's still new. It's still early. It's still developing. Before we crown it the most wonderful thing since sliced beads (yes, sliced beads) - we need to see if it is even successful and good for the church. We really do not know yet.
The final thing that we know for sure is this: we are all on the same team. Emergent church. Old church. Young church. New church. No matter what it is, where you are from, how old you are, or what you believe - we are all on the same team. We all want Christ to further. We all want the Message to spread. We want the Church to grow. We are all on the same team. We know that for sure. And we need to remember that. For sure.
So what is the Emergent Church? Here’s what it is. It’s frustration about the Church’s failures. It’s a cry for relevancy toward a new generation. It’s a desire for community. It’s a passion for the lost and the lonely. It's a hope for a better Church...out of a love for the Church...and an obedience to be the best we can be.
And I think we can all agree that those are good things. Let’s start there.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Middle Road
We are in a battle. We are in a contest. We are in a war. This is serious. This is for real. There are things that we need to do. There are people that need help. There are things that must be done. There are people that must be reached. There is no time to relax, no time to sit still, no time to waste. There are things to do and people to help in this fight against the devil and fight for the truth of God’s love. We cannot waste time. We must all work together, believe together, love together, and be together in this fight and in this cause. Therefore, in order for us to have the success that we need – we must find our Middle Road.
The Middle Road. What is that? It is the path that we can all tread on together. In the midst of changes of thought, in the midst of the old ways vs. the new ways, in the midst of innovative spiritual development and emerging means of grace – the Middle Road is a place where we can all come together. Because we need each other. We need to help each other. We need to work with each other if we are going to have the success that we all desire. Also, we are too smart to box ourselves into a corner with our faith and beliefs. We are too wise to completely shut each other out based on technicalities. We are too loving not to give each other a chance and give each other a break. We are too smart for all of that, and we need each other. Where can we meet? We can meet on the Middle Road.
The Middle Road. The place where we can all come together. The path where all of our different opinions can meet together. The road where we can all join together in this fight and for this faith cause. Beliefs, thoughts, denominations, generations – no matter what it is, we have to combine on this Middle Road…because there is a lot that needs to be done…and it is going to take all of us.
The Middle Road. What is that? It is the path that we can all tread on together. In the midst of changes of thought, in the midst of the old ways vs. the new ways, in the midst of innovative spiritual development and emerging means of grace – the Middle Road is a place where we can all come together. Because we need each other. We need to help each other. We need to work with each other if we are going to have the success that we all desire. Also, we are too smart to box ourselves into a corner with our faith and beliefs. We are too wise to completely shut each other out based on technicalities. We are too loving not to give each other a chance and give each other a break. We are too smart for all of that, and we need each other. Where can we meet? We can meet on the Middle Road.
The Middle Road. The place where we can all come together. The path where all of our different opinions can meet together. The road where we can all join together in this fight and for this faith cause. Beliefs, thoughts, denominations, generations – no matter what it is, we have to combine on this Middle Road…because there is a lot that needs to be done…and it is going to take all of us.
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