The Emergent Truth

It is possible that I am a little late on this subject. I have had many people ask me what I think of the emergent church movement that is sweeping across Christianity. Part of the reason I haven't jumped at the opportunity to write about something so controversial is that I didn't really understand it. Despite my love for controversial subjects I generally don't like writing about things that I don't understand.

I'd argue that my confusion is not unique to me. I think it's likely that even the emergent church's staunchest adversaries don't really understand. What they see is people leaving structured belief, and for most people that is enough to label it as heresy and condemn it as an invention of Satan. The emerging church is a threat precisely because of its unconformity to rite and ritual. It has no stated fundamental beliefs, no structured church government, and no denominational affiliation, there is absolutely no way for someone to point at a specific church, group of people, or a specific practice and definitively state it is the emerging church.

The emerging church is not spiritual formation, it is not contemplative prayer, it is not spiritualism, it is not pantheism, and it is not emotionalism. It seems to me that antagonists of the emergent church movement are frantically struggling to put a label on what they perceive to be the greatest threat to their religious system in the modern era. Once something has a label, real or not, it becomes easier to vilify it and label people you don't like. I have noticed a trend in certain religious circles, if there is something going on that they don’t like all they have to do is label it as the emerging church and it is enough to shut it down, in their minds, forever. The emerging church accusation is the go-to argument against anything that fundamentalists do not like. And just as an aside, it should be noted that if fundamentalist religion doesn’t like it you better take a close look because it is likely that God is leading it.

In reality the emerging church is not a unified group of people. It is not composed of a bunch of religious leaders gathering in secret rooms with a plot to destroy fundamentalist Christianity. The emerging church is merely the next step in the evolution of religion. It is an outcry against stagnant and restrictive religion. It is a rebellion against a system that cares more about its bottom line than it does the people it steam rolls over.

The emerging church movement is alive and active. Rather than attempting to exclude and contain, the movement is constantly pushing the boundaries, cutting holes in the boxes of religious idealism. The fundamentalist's cry rings out,  "conserve, conserve!" While those emerging from fundamentalism are crying out for change. One thing that is true for humanity, no matter what group or institution you are addressing, is that if you are not constantly adapting, changing, developing, and learning, you are stagnant, on your way to becoming irrelevant, and no longer a leader in the community.  

One thing that was pointed out to me by my pastor is that the church is not emerging, it has emerged. The emerging church is represented by all those who refuse to give in to mediocrity. It is full of young people who are fed up with the theological politicking and meaningless banter of our leadership. It is led by those with a true desire to know God more. Most importantly it is led by people who are advocating for social change and awareness. They will not stand by while the church oppresses and passes by those whom it deems unredeemable. While the church is arguing about women in leadership, the emerging church is fighting for equality and unity for all.

The emerging church cares more about unity and equality than it does about religious ideology. It cares more about unity and equality than it does about religious correctness. While the churches sling insults at each other, declaring themselves more righteous than all others, the emergent church seeks common ground on which to meet people in love, understanding and with an ear to listen. It is acceptance and love. It does not sit by advocating complacency as some would claim, it is active in forging the tools to use to advocate for social change and equality. Rather than worrying about condemning and correcting the sins of others, it seeks to advocate for those in need who suffer persecution and pain from the very institutions that claim to be followers of Jesus. The emerging church grasps a hold of the mission of Jesus in all its glory, "...go and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Mat 9:13)."

In short the emerging church is plain and simply emerging truth. In fact I wouldn't even call it emerging, I should call it just plain truth. It is the message of Jesus carried forward as it should have been long ago. It is a recognition that Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost, not establish new doctrine with which to use to exclude those we feel are unworthy of everlasting life. Truth recognizes that the one true church is the church where people gather in community to strengthen, encourage, and uplift one another. It recognizes that God Works through all alike, regardless of gender, religious affiliation, age, race, or sexual orientation. It recognizes that God is just as likely to spread the gospel using the voice of a homosexual couple, as he is the voice of a ministerial graduate. Unlike humanity, God plays no favorites. God will use the atheist who does not even believe before he chooses to use the churches that slander his character.

If you are not a part of the emerging church, then you are a part of a church that has lost its mission and purpose. I for one intend to forge a new faith, one founded on the principles of God, and they are to know and love more. Christianity will change; it must if we are to see the fulfillment of the mission of Jesus. In the churches current state that mission will not and cannot succeed. Let the truth emerge!