Emerging Chruch

So, I am tired of the postmodern / modern debate in evangelical circles. We are in a postmodern world and need to be a postmodern church that knows how to deal with postmodern questions. Period. Modernity no longer applies to the needs that are out there. That isn't bad, that isn't horrible, it isn't sinful, or the end of the church. It just is.

I read an article today about how the emerging church is going to destroy the church and all that. Sorry, I don't buy it. I went to an emerging church for a few months out in Missouri and it totally rocked my face off - to use an expression from my old youth group kids in Iowa. The article quoted Brian McLaren, whom by the way, my church in Iowa didn't support....interesting. The article was trying to say that McLaren is a spokesperson for the emerging church. My old church made a distinction between the emergent church which they said McLaren was a part of, and the emerging church which they considered themselves a part of. I personally didn't care which terminology they used, nor why, maybe I should have. All I know is that it was a freaking amazing church. I come back to Bible College and all of a sudden there is a big debate in the church over the emerging movement, which is too postmodern for some peoples liking.

So this is what I am going to do. I am going to educate myself over the issues. I want to do this for a number of reasons. One, I consider myself part of the emerging church and was completely offended at the article I read. In all fairness, I do need to finish reading the article, I was too angered to even finish it. I guess that would be a good place to start. Two, I have seriously thought about going out to Mars Hill Graduate School, where if I am not mistaken, McLaren is a prof. Therefore, I think it is a serious issue I need to look into.

I will start with the article I read today, along with the book that was quoted, The Church on the Other Side.

I recognize that I do have some biases and therefore cannot be totally objective. But come on, can anyone really be totally objective when approaching an issue. I will try to use my biases for my advantage as they have sent me on a road where I was completely frustrated with the way church was being done and have tried to rebuild my love for Christ's bride while maintaining my love for Christ himself.

I am open to comments, thoughts, questions, resources....anything. Let's gain a clear understanding of how each of us as individuals and as a corporate church can live out the gospel so that we are bringing Christ the glory that He is due, and make it attractive to others.