Final Emerging Thoughts!!!
Posted by James MacDonald on February 5, 2008 07:20 AM | Comments (22)"By this is my Father Glorified, that you bear MUCH fruit and so prove to be my disciple." John 15:8
A simple search of blog world will reveal how vehemently I was opposed and attacked for the past two posts which were one article on a Christianity Today blog. Some of the opposition was appropriate and insightful, i.e. fair and right. But . . .
But a lot of it was just spurious and sad. When it was first so strongly critiqued I took the post down from my site. I didn't need the hassle or appreciate the irrational responses that argued word choice over what I was actually trying to say. In retrospect, I think the points themselves had validity as a personal reflection on why I did not want to participate in all things emerging. I didn't feel compelled by a movement that seemed so long on discussion and short on actual people reached with the gospel. I saw it then and see it now as primarily a "connoisseur of Christianity" type thing. You know, a lot of wine tasting, swirling, and smelling and deciding how it all hits my palette, but not so much actual fruit bearing. A bunch of grumpy suburban 20-somethings sitting around candles and griping about why their Christian parents got it wrong.
The evangelical church of Christ is FAR, FAR from perfect in its current form and it needs an immense overhaul. But there are a lot of soldiers out there on the front lines of social concern standing in the compassion of Jesus extending His hand to the poor and hurting and bringing the hope of His gospel to places where no one else will go. It's really not Christianity, but suburban--watered down, consumeristic Christianity that is being critiqued by the emerging church.
I am also really sad for the best people in the emerging church movement. I think some of what they were rejecting needed and needs to go. "Watered down western world church," as I like to call it, is so filled with marketing strategy, and schtick that it can really make the stomach turn. I only wish they had not focused so much on "brainstorming" where every idea has merit, that they couldn't weed out the heretics. Key emerging leaders denying the uniqueness of the gospel and the absolute authority of all that the Bible explicitly states. I'll say it again, I think their critique has A LOT of merit, I just don't find their best solutions too compelling, and I find their worst ones downright dangerous.
The result is that the best leaders of the emerging church are already being forced to move on to new words describing their quest for the transcendent and truly transformational/incarnational. I think the word missional is great and a better descriptor of what the wisest in this next generation of leaders are seeking. I don't think that passion is new, though some of its new emphasis is needed. I have always tried to be about substance. Challenging teaching, Spirit-filled worship, accountable discipleship. I believe strong biblical content, deep dependant prayer and compassion for those on the outside will always build a Christ-filled community. That may have been neglected, but it's surely not new. I am still hoping to emerge into more of that in our own, imperfect community of Christ. A church that seems so often caught between accommodating crowds and passion for the pure and uncompromised. Not an easy job, but a wonderful adventure that has had and still has us on our knees!!!
james
Comments
Posted by: Cornelius | February 9, 2008 03:04 PM
Christians that are engaged in ministry could give a crap about this whole emerging church movement. They are too busy doing the Lord's work to care about stupid controversies.
Posted by: Marta Bredeweg | February 9, 2008 03:18 PM
Dear Pastor MacDonald,
It was absolutely great to see you at Community Christian Church. I was the sm. women w/her eyes bugging out at the top of the stairs w/the black and white top that you said hi to. I wanted to tell you how much your ministry has meant to my walk with Christ but I was afraid I would just be speechless. Everyone loved you & they had to listen to me talk about you & Walk in the Word all day & how you are my favorite pastor:)& on & on. Thank you for all you do. God Bless
Posted by: Matt | February 9, 2008 07:04 PM
"I didn't feel compelled by a movement that seemed so long on discussion and short on actual people reached with the gospel."
That's no doubt informed by Jn 15:8.
"a tree is known by its fruit" (Lk 6:44).
Confession time... I led a house church for a year. Didn't see a soul saved, or really any significant transformation. Probably my fault. Probably had something to do with overthinking, overfeeling, overtalking. I love Harvest, and you too, Pastor.
Posted by: Fred M. Schmid | February 9, 2008 07:47 PM
Emergent/non-emergent leaders just need to focus on living in the reality that Jesus is Lord and Messiah. There is good news in the gospel. We can't lose that. Let us worship in spirit and in truth, regardless of the style-liturgical or not. Let our thoughts be fixed upon Christ and his coming. Let's be Kingdom oriented people. Let’s accept current criticisms where necessary, and move on. Let the “soldiers†in every denomination be responsible stewards of the gospel. God, help us be your Church.
Posted by: Fred M. Schmid | February 9, 2008 07:58 PM
I write on here a lot so I wanted to say something. 5 years ago I was lost. James's (my Greek proph says this is appropriate grammar "s's" :) teaching (I really want to change, so help me God) was given to me as I def. needed it. I was going down. Drugs, depression...my life was utter loss. With many others I can say that James's teaching led me back to Christ. I'm thankful for that and while people have differences with James, no one can deny the extent God has used him in His Kingdom. TYPJ
Posted by: Joshua | February 11, 2008 09:11 AM
Pastor James,
As some one who has just given their first talk at the age of 29, I have experiened, learned, been taught, and dabbled with the whole "emergent"/"WE need to make God attractive" deal and have found that, funny, what we need is the Word of God. thats it. it is so interesting that even though God provided us with all that we needed in His word, we continually feel like we need to add to it. Thank you for teaching the word of God and getting side tracked by all of this other noise
Posted by: Kimberly | February 12, 2008 10:48 AM
James, this is the 1st time I've read anything of yours online. I've never even heard of you until this moment. I totally agree with everything you said. I'm guilty of occasionally seeking the shtick in "the church". I do not anymore however. Because, you're not the only one who's shared the feelings you expressed that I've read. Today's church needs a serious overhaul. Thank you for your candidness.
Kimberly
Posted by: Rennetta | February 16, 2008 11:29 PM
It seems to me pride is the hidden sin underlying most sins. What condition is likely present in the hearts of those who have decided the Bible was simply a book by men? The emergent is re-packaged New Age fluff. Please stay with the true Word of God from a reliable translation of the Bible and feed those who have been left to starve by men who have abandoned the wisdom of God in favor of pursuing their own.
Posted by: Sheila | February 17, 2008 05:44 AM
Pastor James, I am so happy to know you are not part of the emerging movement. You are correct that the church today needs an overhaul but not at the expense of watering down the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am shocked and appalled that some of the well known Christian leaders in our world today believe the message of salvation found in Jesus Christ alone is too exclusive. The Bible says there will be false teachers among us. Thank you for being committed to teaching what God's Word REALLY says.
Posted by: Scott | February 19, 2008 07:37 PM
From someone who was raised in the evangelical church and disgusted with it I dove in quickly to the emerging ideas. Funny thing is that I'm already feeling empty and disgusted with most of what is called emerging. I am ecstatic about fresh, new approaches to church but not at the expense of demoting the Leader. Too much "overthought" seems to be leading to heretical ideas. I pray for some of the leaders who seem to be drifting farther away from Truth than closer to it.
Posted by: Scott | February 19, 2008 07:44 PM
I wanted to add that I am approaching this from a perspective of humility and not holier than thou. My opinions are no better than Rob Bell's or Brian McLaren's but Rob Bell and Brian McLaren are not the final authority...God is. And God has spoken and has allowed us to know a fraction of who God is through the Word. We cannot trash the Word by saying it is old fashioned and therefore irrelevant. Truth never turns into untruth and it remains relevant forever!
Posted by: michelle | February 19, 2008 10:32 PM
i listen to you everyday and you are my food. i am catholic. I want to say thank you for everything. you have saved my life. as God has called me home, you have gave me the bible study noone else has. Thank you soo much.
God has given you a gift and it has touched my life in a way you will never know. but i Thank you sooo soo much. Now I know i'm not alone in my journey to serve Christ.
Posted by: Sheila | February 20, 2008 02:35 PM
Scott, since you said you are already feeling empty and disgusted with the "emerging" ideas, I pray that you are back in a church or seeking one where the truth of God's Word is preached and taught. If you haven't found that church yet, keep listening to Pastor James. He speaks the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! And don't sell your opinions short, if your opinions are based on the truth of Scripture and who Jesus is. . . .
Posted by: myron | February 21, 2008 02:20 PM
Pastor James, I agree 1Pe 4:17. This is a really tough one for me as I need to become a member of a congregation, besides electronic. It bugs me that the Word doesn't direct me to a specific faith. I feel a true believer has a relationship with Christ and it matters little where he worships Jn 10:27. I know God wants me to attend and I am confident HE will lead me. My hope is that Christ will be the head of any church I find and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Amen?
Posted by: Don | February 21, 2008 07:20 PM
Matt, WOW you came full circle. It must be all that schooling at Trinity.
Myron, where do you live. Start by getting recommendations from Harvest Bible church. They knnow enough solid churches for you to begin attending.
The bible says not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh." - HEB. 10:25
We are in this thing together, jump back in
Don
Posted by: Matthew Collier | February 23, 2008 04:27 PM
Thanks Pastor James, not just for your stand against the Emerging Church, but for your unashamed proclamation of God's truth. I hope you don't mind, but I have referenced and recommended you to just about everyone I have ever worked with in ministry over the last seven years. Here's one SBC pastor in Arkansas who is firmly in your camp! Thanks for everything!
Posted by: Matthew Collier | February 23, 2008 04:32 PM
Just wanted you to know, James, that since 2001, you have been a pastor to this pastor. As I have ministered in churches in Tennessee and Arkansas, your preaching has filled me with the Word of God and given me the encouragement (and regular kick in the pants) that I need to be effective in ministry.
Looking forward to meeting you, either here or better yet, in heaven!
Posted by: SeeDub | February 29, 2008 10:35 PM
Pastor James-
You may never see this one, but I hope you do. How to keep it brief . . . I thought I'd post it on "emergent" conversation because I can see what's happening. I listen to you and a few others and read God's Word daily (well, I'm always trying to).
Just wanted to let you know I appreciate you and your teaching. Heard your healing message recently and was so happy to hear you spoke on that "after much study." It's so sad. Your Holy Spirit series was great too. I love the Lord!
Posted by: Gavin Pimsley | March 22, 2008 09:42 AM
Perhaps Cornelius meant "couldn't give a crap" when he stated: "Christians that are engaged in ministry could give a crap about this emerging church movement..." Correct usage is important, especially in conjuction with the word "crap."
Posted by: Ryan Thompson | March 24, 2008 05:14 PM
"You know, a lot of wine tasting, swirling, and smelling and deciding how it all hits my palette, but not so much actual fruit bearing. A bunch of grumpy suburban 20-somethings sitting around candles and griping about why their Christian parents got it wrong."
While I totally agree with this statement and agree essentially with everything Pastor Macdonald has said, I am afraid that language like this in a polemic fails to winsomely address the problem. We must be very careful with Emergents.
Posted by: Josh Malone | March 28, 2008 04:26 PM
I have grown so tired of the emergent discussion. Every month it seems a new "stream" or "branch" has splintered off. Some want to dismiss the whole argument with "why don't they just shutup and do evangelism" while others say "I don't agree with them but I enjoy reading there stuff." As for me, if we can't agree on Scripture as the basis as the inerrant basis for authority for the church then I don't have time for it. Let' be passionate, evangelistic, relevant, etc..but lets be Bible people
Posted by: Tiv | March 30, 2008 01:59 PM
Hi James. I'm a change partner. Have been for a number of years. and will continue to be one because your teaching changes hearts.
I think the Lord Jesus speaks to me through Scripture and thru creation as Scripture says. I have become a Jesus fundamentalist. a Jesus freak.
I don't get why we attack emerging church though? If it connects people to Jesus won't they be connected and produce fruit? Is it Jesus and I follow this set of extra rules? or is it Scripture points to Christ... only?