(e)mergent Voyageurs

Living in a world of hyper-reality, where that which is declared to be "real" is often the farthest from it, the needs for exiles to live lives of authenticity, vocational integrity, missional community, generousity and righteousness.  Frost clearly and boldly challenges our allowing ourselves seduction by the lure of reality TV, virtual identities (and thus virtual relationships) and other such influences.  I have seen, both in myself and those around me, the ease at which we fall into this rut.  While his cautions are warranted, I think he may take a more distrustful stance towards the capacity for genuine relationships and community via the internet.  However, he is right that they are the exception, not the rule.

Out of this, movements of exiles, both within the Christian community and outside of it, have begun to emerge, seeking to live counter to these trends and values.  Out of the church, these movements hold to some clear values, such as: rejection of denominationalism & authoritarian hierarchies; seek Jesus-centered lives; committed to missional living.  Again drawing from inspiring stories of such examples, Frost reveals that some of the most successful effort are done without the benefit of the resources most churches have at their disposal.

Like myself, Frost was challenged and inspired by M. Scott Peck's book "The Different Drum", which engages the ideas and practices of true community.  Our similarity of experience also extended to our sense that book seemed to stop short, as though something was missing: mission.  For me, Peck's process of community growth paralleled the Gospel message, but forgot about Pentecost (see post on this topic here).  When exiles come together behind a common missions, something bigger than themselves, they transform from community to communitas.

Birthed out of the limality of the unique community, the group experiences a connection with the possible, engage the world around them accordingly, and become communitas.  I have seen this again and again throughout my years in YWAM.  While we experience powerful community together, it is heightened in passion, intimacy and authenticity when we went together on outreaches.  Especially when we were immersed in a cross-cultural experience, forced out of the comfort of our own experiences (liminality), and even in the midst of the inevitable conflict that results, we achieved communitas in true beauty.  Many times, long term vision for these creative missional endeavours are birthed out of these times.

But what exactly are these examples?  As I wrestle with responding to God in forming new missional expressions in my neighbourhood, wondering what it would mean to "plant a church", Frost's criteria are generous and exciting:

1. Trinitarian in theology: For me this translates into our being created in God's Trinitarian image, importantly individual, but ultimately truest in relational unity.

2. Covenantal in expression: There is something powerful about people living according to values, not because they are told to, but because they cannot help it.

3. Catholic in orientation: The beauty of diversity and the formation it requires of us is an essential quality of an embracing community.

4. Missional in intent: Again, that "something" bigger, that God-sized impossibility that draws us together and forward, is a must.

The generousity that grows out of these communitas' finds its richest expression in hospitality.  YWAM has maintained hospitality (and generosity) as core, foundational values to our mission.  I am often moved by how open and welcoming YWAMer's the world over are when we drop in.  This needs to extend to every person, with open doors reflecting open hearts.  Again, centered around the table, the power of breaking bread together (not in religious ceremony, but actual relational mutuality) is central to these emerging missional communities.

Again mirroring a central value of YWAM (if not always well practiced), Frost illuminates the shift away from the dualism of "sacred vs. secular" that the church has too easily swallowed towards to more integrated approach to seeing the divine in every activity.  This shift has and will continue to require rebuilding, reimagining, renaming and re-birthing (born again, perhaps), bring forth forms and expressions of missional activity that looks entirely different than what we are used to.

Bringing these ideas together with the very important concept of "third places" have been revolutionary for me in the past few weeks.  I have reconsidered the more "traditional" approach to church planting, being drawn more and more towards building a communal hub for missional community, drawin from my deepest passions, interests and giftings.  While I won't make any announcements yet, I will say that I owe Michael Frost a great debt for writing this book.  For the first time in many months, I am excited and hopeful for what God has for ahead of us.

Thanks for your patience with the review.  While my writing retreat slowed the process down, I have also been reading the book far slower than I would with others, soaking in every idea carefully and intentionally.  More to come in the near future!


Emerging Church