Matt Smay

We’ve recently had some questions from people that have confused our use of the term “emerging” with the specific group referred to as “Emergent or Emergent Village.” Our friend and colleague, Alan Hirsch has also run into the same conversations due to his influence and leadership within the much larger conversation related to ‘emerging missional movements,’ which many organizations are now participating. In doing a little online research, it was easy to find heated debates – I even found an article on Wikipedia with the title “Emerging vs. Emergent.” Our CRM pres. Sam Metcalf, responded to one of our critiques with the following clarification – (Thanks Sam)

Regarding the “emerging church” and CRM’s relationship to this renewal movement, I believe it is important to understand that this movement is not monolithic. It is very diverse. It should also not be confused with “Emergent” which is a specific organization here in the U.S. but which does not, however, represent the totality of “emerging churches” by any means. The emerging church movement as a whole reflects a variety of theological perspectives, some of which I would agree with and some that would give me pause. But overall, I personally believe this is a movement of God which stands squarely in the flow of the great, historical renewal movements of the past 2000 years.

As in almost all renewal movements throughout the history of Christianity, it’s messy. That’s to be expected. There are always excesses, muddy thinking, and some level of deconstructionism that takes place when such change occurs. That was even true of the Protestant Reformation. I saw it myself in the Jesus Movement of the sixties and seventies in the U.S. and astute observers see many interesting similarities to today’s situation. Regardless, CRM is committed to serve the emerging church and to help in any way possible to develop and empower the leadership of this movement.

What God is undoubtedly doing is raising up, on the cultural fringes, a new generation of people who are faithfully and wholeheartedly followers of Jesus and true to the bible, but they are committed to living that faith out in an increasingly secular, postmodern world. From my experience, what I believe is most unsettling to the traditional Christian establishment is not primarily the theological nuances and questions that emanate from emerging churches, but forms and ecclesiological expressions that are outside the acceptable box. While some would attack the emerging church on theological grounds, my suspicion is the real backlash is primarily cultural. In most respects, the emerging church movement is profoundly biblical…

I hope sharing posts on emerging church will continue to clarify some of the issues surrounding this controversial topic. I remember attending the Young Leader Network events in the mid 90’s, and I’ve personally seen some negative aspects of the emerging movement, especially early on when it was highly deconstructive in nature. I appreciate the contribution of the many voices that are articulating proactive principles that are being implemented throughout the western world. I have even greater hope now, than in those early days, that the Christocentric and Missiological framework will solidify the core of this emerging (missional) movement in the days ahead.

As a facilitator of the MCAP, I coach pastors and church leaders that are either trying to start new churches or establish missional/incarnational communities within existing churches. In both contexts, the challenges are numerous but success is possible. But after training hundreds of leaders, we’ve found there are some common pitfalls that can undermine even the most gifted leaders. Here are five that I find to be the most common:

• Starting new initiatives with false expectations of funding sources and timing, which results in financial instability.
• Inadequate understanding or communication of missional/incarnational ministry philosophy with people looking for something tangible.
• Inability to establish or recruit an initial missional community.
• Failing to adjust from the typical work schedule (9-5) to a flexible relational lifestyle that leaves room for intentionality and spontaneity.
• Reverting back to programs and structures that are familiar, which tends to minimize relationships with people in culture.

There’s obviously a lot of conversations about the emerging church out there, and people are starting to lump us in various categories within the various camps. So, rather than throw in on this topic right now – I’d rather point you to one of the most well-balanced blogs about this topic that I’ve read. It’s by Rick McKinley (leader of Imago Dei Community in Portland) and is definitely worth the read if this conversation either concerns or excites you, ‘Thoughts on the Emerging Church.”