emerging mosaic

I got the latest Emergent/C (which is the newsletter/communication piece of Emergent Village) today and it included this quote.

We in Emergent Village are poised for an important year in 2007. A pivotal year, I’d say. Lots of people are watching—some with high hopes that EV might be a part of a re-birth of Christian faith, a revolution in what it means to follow Jesus. (Others, of course, are plotting our demise J.)

The part I highlighted above about revolution has got me thinking. Is that why some people are “plotting the demise” of EV. Would it be more accessible for people to think of the emerging emergent church as an evolution of how the church practices the faith rather than a revolution? Can the emergent folks make claim to being the vanguard of a revolutionary movement in following Jesus (especially when it is still so monolithic in its racial ethnic makeup)?
Kester Brewin in his book Complex Christ suggests that emergence is more closely connected to evolution than revolution. Revolution he continues correlates more with insurgence than emergence. The point of view from which we view the emerging church and emergent conversation determines how we pursue the developing practice of the faith and who ends up coming along for the ride.

So is it evolution or revolution? Maybe it is both and what say you?

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Doug Pagiit found Jesus in  the wood trim at his house (tongue firmly planted in cheek).

I was taking a picture of the trim work in one of the bedrooms of our duplex in order to get a matching piece for the other side. When I looked at the picture I notice the strange little “Jesus” face on the right - kinda creepy. I also kind of looks like Abe Lincoln. Face in the wood

 My advice: Quick rip it out put it up on ebay and the Golden Palace Casino will buy it for thousands of dollars.

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Though I don’t always agree with his every conclusion (which is a good thing) Kester Brewin has a way at getting at some of the critical shortcoming of the whole emerging church thing. His post Is It Time for Positive Discrimination at Emerging Church Events? is a great example. This is exactly why I am post emergent. I love the conversation and the stated values but as Brewin points out

 be deliberately, voluntarily making sure that for each big EC event there is a proper, representative balance? After all… wasn’t this meant to be about new forms of Church?

I’m going to address this very thing in an upcoming post can we emerge without dealing with racial reconciliation?

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Seminary professor & author D.A. Carson who among others has leveled some scathing criticisms of the emerging church was apparently invited to talk with Doug Paigitt of Solomon’s Porch (an emerging church recently featured on the PBS Religion and Ethics Weekly coverage of the emerging church ) about his perception of the emerging conversation. Brewin at complex Christ says he’s been told that Carson doesn’t want to talk with Paigitt or other folks in the emergent conversation. If that is true then, how does DA expect to become conversant with the emerging church as the title of his latest book suggests? Ah the ironies of modern thinking a one way conversation.

Other thoughts on DA Carson’s book

http://thebolgblog.typepad.com/thebolgblog/2005/05/d_a_carson_beco.html

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Steve Argue a new friend on the journey referred me to this book the complex Christ written by Kester Brewin. The book is on its way from Amazon yet but the subtitle signs of emergence in the urban church really grabbed my attention as this is my heart’s great passion.

Here is what one reviewer said about the book

"The Complex Christ combines a theological integrity with imaginative and innovative ways of thinking about Church as a complex network. Not only does this book contribute to the current debate about the Church it is also a meditation on faith and believing in the city. It is a must read for all of those thinking through the future of the Church - in all its forms."

As I wait for the book I’ve been reading the authors blog and posts on his discussion board. Here is a review and and interesting post about Christ in the city on their BBS

http://www.thecomplexchrist.com/phpbbcc/viewtopic.php?t=37

http://www.thecomplexchrist.com/phpbbcc/viewtopic.php?p=91#91

It is worth exploring for anyone interested in expressions  of emergent in the city.

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