Emergent serves as an example of what it might look like for American churches to live as Christ-followers within postmodern cultures. The transitions they have made in their almost ten year history as a movement is the transition many churches need to make.
When the organization started as Young Leaders in 1996, they, like everyone else, were talking about generational ministries, connecting to Gen X, looking for techniques to reach out and become relevant. At their conference in 1997, there was a bit of disquiet, as some of the younger leaders felt that much more than a generational change was at play, and some began to use the postmodern word for the first time. By 1998, the third YLN conference put generational strategies to the back-burner and really began to look at culture and mission. This was the first conference planned by Doug Pagitt, and was the first conference attended by Brian McLaren and Tony Jones. By 1999, their name changed to Terra Nova Theological Project reflecting their change from technique modification to something entirely new. Two years later, Brian McLaren’s New Kind of Christian reflected this new understanding of postmodern culture that was developing in the movement.
At this time also there was a budding sense that cultural changes required new theologies. At the same time, NT Wright and Dallas Willard’s influence grew — not only was there a new culture, but a new understanding of gospel, kingdom, and atonement emerged. It was at that time that it dawned upon the leaders that a whole new theology needed to be developed, i.e. a new message as well as a new method was required. Terra Nova Theological Project became Emergent at that time.
For the last few years, Emergent, primarily through books and conferences, has served as an alternative voice to the mainstream perspective that small ‘tweaking’, i.e. minor changes to church services will do the trick. Instead, we are in a new world, a postmodern/ increasingly globalized culture, and a gospel-like response must be made within postmodern cultures.
Yes, providing a space for the conversation is messy and feelings get hurt. But for the many youth pastors who suffer angst over what they are doing — that it falls short, that there must be more than simply a relevant church service with a large stage, candles, painters going at it, tables, videos, and irreverent banter…Emergent provides hope.
Emergent provides a place for these travelers to tell their stories, to deconstruct, and yes, eventually to reconstruct their faith. For those who listen carefully and long enough, it is not about Christians losing their faith, but finding it once again as well.
I’m thankful for Emergent — they have taken alot of ‘hits’ to be out in front. It is, I’m certain,a very painful role, and the temptation to quit or become bitter is ever-present. The Alternative Worship community in the UK paid a similar price over the years. As a missiologist, I celebrate those movements that seek to live incarnationally in cultures overlooked by mainstream, modern culture…
I know some may read my comments as uncritical. However, I believe we need to give missonaries wide-berth. We desperately need these sorts of movements in Western culture. Many of these leaders are the kids of evangelical pastors. Their theological roots go deep. When we shoot them, we are killing off the future of the church. They are trying to make sense of two worlds, in one of the greatest missionary challenges the church has known. My hat is off to them and to all-too-few others like them. May they grow in number…
Here’s to you, Emergent!!
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