The Emerging Church

Sometimes I follow conversations dealing with the "emerging church." Some of you are probably saying, Huh? That's okay. If you don't know anything about the controversy that arises during these discussions, you may be better off. I usually just read or listen, and watch which way the wind is blowing. We'll just say that it involves a little bit of friction between contempory vs. traditional views. There is, of course, much more to it than that, but it's a start.

This morning I read something interesting though. Scot McKnight, at his blog, Jesus Creed (http://jesuscreed.org/), gives us this list of qualifiers for the emerging church.

1. Identifying with Jesus.
2. Transforming secular space.
3. Living as community.
4. Welcoming the stranger.
5. Serving with generosity.
6. Participating as producers.
7. Creating as created beings.
8. Leading as a body.
9. Merging ancient and contemporary spiritualities.

To be honest, I'm not sure what numbers (6)and (7) actually mean in the context of Christianity or why they are important. Number (8) I have reservations about, and maybe that's because I'm not sure what is intended by it. Number (9) I can get excited about, as long as we're talking about what I think we're talking about. If it means that I get to sing hymns from the 8th century right before singing In Christ Alone, than I'm thrilled. (As long as ancient means something composed before the early 1900's, late 1800's...Fanny Crosby wrote many lovely songs, but we've got 2000 years of church history, not 150!)

The other six characteristics...these give me goosebumps. I just want to jump up and down and say, "Yes, this is it!"

But what do I do if the church I attend doesn't have these things (or if I think it doesn't have these things)? Do I leave to go someplace else? Do I church hop looking for the perfect congregation?

There are couple of problems that arise from this. First of all, there is no "perfect" congregation (at least in the eyes of man...God's looking at us through Christ's blood, so His vision is a little different). Until Jesus comes again, we will always be flawed creatures who make up His body of believers. Secondly, church isn't I thing I attend, it's a precious thing that I'm a part of. Thirdly, I see no scriptural directive encouraging me to leave one body to go to another just because I'm dissatisfied. Actually, I see words like, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you." (I Cor. 1:10)

No answers here. I'm just thinking out loud. This one thing I do know though. It is In Christ Alone that I stand. He is my cornerstone and my one desire. He is who I want to share with others, whether it is in the local body that I'm a part of or with the woman at the check out counter. Nothing else matters.