Back to the Emerging church
There’s been some interest in The ins and outs of the Emerging church
Some clarifications.
I was writing in response to the picture of the Emerging church painted by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger’s book. They carefully set out the parameters of what they regard as the Emerging church before allowing its representatives to speak for themselves. There may be others who fall outside of the authors’ description and who regard themselves as Emerging. Their argument is with the authors and their methodology or even with the Emerging church leaders in the book who were clear about who was in and who was out.
My aim was to capture some of the flavour of this Emerging church—as described by Gibbs and Bolger. It was not to create false dichotomies or to parody the Emerging church. I was simply reflecting back the actual statements and viewpoints expressed by the Emerging church leaders in the book.
As a study of a religious movement in its infancy, I think it’s a very good book. I recommend people read it for themselves and come to their own conclusions about the Emerging church described within its pages. Even if you believe the Emerging church is broader than the one described, it is at least a very important stream in a wider movement.
Now, what do I think of this Emerging church? Well you’re going to have to wait a few more days for that. In my part of the world it’s almost Friday and Sunday’s coming. . . . Goodnight.
