Am I Really An Emerging Christian? – A Pre-Mature Conclusion
Previous Post – Am I Really An Emerging Christian – Part 2
I had two more posts in this series- the last being my conclusions, which I will touch on here- the next being a look at how I weigh in with respect to common hot topic issues and criticisms. However, I have changed my mind. Or rather, I have had a change of heart. As most of you know, there is a fair bit of… energy in respect to criticisms and character attacks on the blogosphere just now. I won’t weigh in, because I think there are serious issues on either side of the argument(s) both in respect to the nature of the “debate” and the substance being discussed. I am afraid my intended post would only serve as fuel to the fire.
So, am I really an emerging church Christian? Yes and no. Yes, I am clearly engaged in the conversation and affirm much of its direction and intention. Yes, I find resonance in much of the content and praxis of the emerging church. Some would cite my blog title as a clear indication, though in truth it is emergence as scientific, philosophic and systems phenomena that originally inspired me. That said, to say an absolute no on this would be silly. On the other hand, I can also say no- with some qualifications.
For me, the emerging church conversation has been about finding a voice and community to go along with the natural direction of my faith journey as an Evangelical Christian. There was a time where even identifying with the “E” word would have been something I would have avoided. While I still avoid the title, it has less to do with wanting to distance myself from anything or anyone as it is not wanting to burden my faith with too loaded a title. Perhaps that is why I am also hesitant to taking on “emerging” as a title too.
Perhaps it is semantic- and I certain don’t people to think I am heading for cover to avoid attack- but I have been inspired, challenged and somewhat shaped by the emerging church, but not defined by it. I don’t look at it as a theological field in which I want to pitch my tent, but an inspiration the gives me direction. I am glad it is here, but I do fear that by over defining, organizing and consolidating the movement, it will become something it is not- namely one distinct option against the others.
Now I am not so blind as to say it is without fault. I cannot affirm everything that many who speak from it’s context say or do. Mind you, neither will I use this blog to call out their failures- it isn’t fear or compromise, but context. I won’t use this medium in that way, whether it is to correct emerging Christians who I think go too far or their/our critics who I feel have it wrong. The emerging expressions of Christianity need genuine critics, as we are all too prone to become the thing we seek to avoid. When that criticism comes unjustly, we should be VERY sure before firing back in response. Is it really necessary?
All this to say that I believe we see things change in the emerging church in coming years. From the outside it will look like interest is waning, conversation breaking down- which some critics will wrongly interpret as the whole thing collapsing in on itself as they predicted. In truth, this is the pattern of change. From the idylic vision of community in Acts 4 to the heated debates of Act 15. In some ways, the emerging church as we know it will die (and is already doing so), but as it’s seeds are scattered and die, so too is new life being birth in the Church in places where the “conversation” had never been.
So what does that mean for me? It simply means that the emerging church is not a hill I am willing to die on, but neither am I calling retreat. I think both options work off the wrong premise. I am one Christian out of millions seeking to be faithful in serving and loving God, His Children, His Church, His Creation. If the emerging church conversation plays a part in that process, then so be. If it ever stops doing so, I have lost nothing.
Does this make sense?
