There is a difference between the Emergent Church, which is a specific organization associated with Emergent Village, and the Emerging Church, which is a more generic name for a broad movement. Critics of the movement often fail to make this distinction, which is not only inaccurate, but somewhat insulting, as the distinction is often mentioned.
There are some areas where I think the Emerging Church is quite clearly correct, and they have the added advantage of having some critics who are clear meatheads. Our weekly gathering, still called a Bible study though it has not been for years, is very much what some Emerging churches are attempting to create: creative, nontraditional worship; missional outlook; community; doctrinal flexibility and humility. There's a lot to like in this movement.
Because of this intellectual approval and agreement, I don't know what to make of the fact that I find many of the EC advocates so irritating. That in itself is enough to keep me from venturing further comments, as I don't know if the irritation is driven by my irritability or their being irritating.
2 comments:
"...I find many of the EC advocates so irritating."
OK, I'll egg you on. I too find much about the emergent church movement fastinating, challenging, and thought provoking, if nothing else. But there is an irritating component to whole thing. Is it that some of the leaders and outspoken bloggers seem to reflect a superior attitude (WE'VE found the way, you should mimic us.)? I'm not sure - but blog on. This is a worthy topic.
Interesting. I’m just worried that some of us who have specific concerns about EC will not be heard because of the needless and imprecise comments of others.
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