May 23 2006
post emergence is no fluke!
In my recent web browsing of things emergent. I came across some posts that suggest that my post emergent perspective is not a fluke.
Jaimie Smith of Generous Orthodoxy ThinkTank: Emergent Reflections Post-Divergent points out several distinctions he recently experienced at an emergent event in Geneva between the US EC and the expression of emergence in Europe and the U.K . Things I have been saying is what makes the EC conversation in the US so limited and uninviting to people of color.
- This is not an “academic” conversation.
- There are hints of post-emergence afoot.
- There are surprising elements of anti-intellectualism in the conversation
Jamie Arpin-Ricci is posting about being a An Emerging & Affirming Critic From Within
However, the critics we could perhaps learn the most from are those within this emerging community itself. The value of affirming critics from within cannot be overstated, as who better knows the dynamics, intentions and convictions better than those who share them. This should never exclude the other critiques from without, but if we can embrace the necessary humility and patience, we have a wealth of wisdom that could help us move towards maturity. That is where I hope my future lies on this journey- to be an affirming critic from within the emerging culture. I have been deeply moved and encouraged by all that I have discovered on the way.
I don’t know that I have Jaimie’s patience but I appreciate his humility and I’m glad he is bold enough to be a critic from within. Since I have never felt I was in I guess I will remain an affirming critic from without.
Jason Clark has a post Love/Hate the emerging church from 2004
Well here in no order, and remember from my experience, in small corner of the emerging church are the things I have learned most, and enjoyed most about the emerging church, and some experiences that make me despair the most about emerging church too.
He really sums up my ambivalence toward the current state of of the EC.
Interestingly all of them have lived and/or experienced the emerging church outside the US. I think it is important that those of us who have roots outside white middle class America tend to see this emergent/emerging church thing a bit differently than the current dominant group. The question that continually arises for me is simple. Is there room in the EC tent for those whose perspective is even a bit divergent from the status quo or has the "conversation" devolved into defense of anti-church, radical liberalism as some critics suggest.
I wish I knew the answer to that but I don’t think post emergence is a fluke! So here is my post emergent must list. It seems to me that;
- We need to be more than rescuers of the Bible and Jesus from modernist theology.
- We need to be more than critics of the fundamentalist evangelical spiritual practice that has distorted much Jesus message.
- We need to be more than purveyors of some new anti prophetic, anti charismatic, anti-church, politically liberal, new expression of the Christian faith.
- We need to be more than spiritual option for people who don’t like church, have been hurt by the church or think the church is unnecessary
- We need to be revolutionary in more than just our thinking and theology.
- We need to have more than just a visual affinity with the poor and underprivileged.
- We need to move beyond warm and fuzzy gatherings where we can all feel good about ourselves, to risking self to be impactful in world so we can see the kingdom of God we hold high begin to be revealed in our world
This is just a start what can you add?
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[...] » post emergence is no fluke! from emerging mosaic In my recent web browsing of things emergent . I came across some posts that suggest that my post emergent perspective is not a fluke. Jaimie Smith of Generous Orthodoxy ThinkTank: Emergent Reflections Post-Divergent points out several distinctions he … [Read More] [...]
I’ve started saying similar things a few months ago and have been some thinking/writing about "post-emergence" as well. Anyhow, you can start here: http://thevoiz.typepad.com/weblog/2006/03/postemerging_ch.html Thanks for the post. Aaron thevoiz.com
emerging church, faith, post emergence, theologydivergent, emergent, emergent church, emerging church, emerging church, faith, post emergence, theology © Andre Daley for emerging mosaic, 2006. |Permalink | No comment Add to del.icio.us Search blogs linking this post with Technorati Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under emerging church.
Thanks for the shout out. In fairness, I am actually American. Dual citizen with Canada, where I was raised and live, but born in Minnesota. That being said, I wonder if you are more accurately a post-Emergent (as in the organization). Just a thought. Peace, Jamie
Jamie, Didn’t mean to tag as post emergent. I was picking up on your statement of being an affirming critic of emergent. I took that to mean that there are some things about the merging church as it is expressed in North America that you wish were different. Sorry if that implied something else, and thanks for the correction on your nationality. I’ve corrected that.
I do respect you staying connected to the organization as an affirming critic. I feel that I’m an affirming critic as well, but from the outside (I almost put the friend of emergent button on the blog this week but I wondered if that was allowed or if emergent folks might be offended because of my perspective.)
I’m curious do you see any difference in how people outside the US view emergence?
Aaron, I followed your link and share your desire to see the emerging church/emergent become something more. I also share your sense of connection with the conversation/movement as well as your discomfort with where things are right now. I’m still reaching for a good way to respond to the tension.
I’m hesitant to come up with another name for this move beyond where we are right now i.e.(your integral church) and just wish that emergent/EC could live into the kind of integrated expression of church that you describe. BTW I downloaded your paper and will read it this weekend. Thanks for the comment.
I hear you Andre… Integral / integrated church is not a label or name suggestion for what is beyond emergence. Rather it is a description or a characteristic and even another ideal for what I believe most of us are not seeing occur in the emerging church. It is, in part, a way to move away from deconstructing the church to reconstructing and living in a new paradigm. Also, it is an attempt to not live in the "in-between" - between the old and the new. In my observance, I’ve seen so many comfortable with being the "emerging church." EC is a not the destination, but more so the journey to something else. How we’ve forgotten. - Aaron, thevoiz.com
Aaron, You have struck a chord with me with the idea of moving "away from deconstructing to reconstructing & living a new paradigm." That is really where I am at especially the living part. As opposed to talking about it. I am feeling you when you say "EC is not the destination" this is something that Kester Brewin (from the UK) talks about in his book Complex Christ which a recommend.
BTW the church look really interesting. Sounds similar to what we are trying to do. If I’m ever out your way I’ll have to look you up.
Andre, No worries. I wasn’t expecting any kind of correction. I think your point is well made. As for your question about non-US views of emergence, I think there are a great deal of differences. I have blogged on a few of them. I am also working on some possible posts on the idea that there is not (and cannot, IMHO) be a singular idea of what emergence is. Emergence in the US is highly shaped and influenced by internal, historical dynamics that are unique, but they also share the other influneces that more universal. At any rate, too much to explore in a comment. On a side note, I have chosen not to put on a "Friend of Emergent" logo on my site. My reasons are probably different, but I understand. Peace, Jamie
Hi Andre, While I am definitely pomo, I never drank the EC koolaid because it seemed too much like an insiders club. However, I do share some of the same concerns of the EC-ers who want to contrast themselves against fundamentalists, mainline megaghurch Evangelicals, and rah rah nameitandclaimit Charismatics. And you are certainly right to suggest that the EC (and all the rest of us) need to do more than just say what we are against. Amen. For me, this means a commitment to what many in the EC are yearning and working towards: authentic, Christ-centered community, and engaging non-Christians with integrity and relational honesty. Frankly, I am looking to leaders like yourself and Maurice, because of both of you know how to do the multi-cultural, bi-racial dance. What is needed are spirit-filled bridge-builders like you two who can demonstrate how this "conversation" can be walked out.
[...] » post emergence is no fluke! from emerging mosaic In my recent web browsing of things emergent . I came across some posts that suggest that my post emergent perspective is not a fluke. Jaimie Smith of Generous Orthodoxy ThinkTank: Emergent Reflections Post-Divergent points out several distinctions he … [Read More] [...]
[...] De-constructing with a veiw to Re-construct - What will the tower look like? Integral / integrated church is not a label or name suggestion for what is beyond emergence. Rather it is a description or a characteristic and even another ideal for what I believe most of us are not seeing occur in the emerging church. It is, in part, a way to move away from deconstructing the church to reconstructing and living in a new paradigm. Also, it is an attempt to not live in the "in-between" - between the old and the new. In my observance, I’ve seen so many comfortable with being the "emerging church." EC is a not the destination, but more so the journey to something else. How we’ve forgotten. - Aaron, thevoiz.com Comment found here. [...]
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