tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403232.post5893680393325507122..comments2024-02-10T08:46:51.419-05:00Comments on Rude Armchair Theology: Dancing in the lightMike Croghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18099387827886541138noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403232.post-52355036655633794192009-03-24T14:33:00.000-04:002009-03-24T14:33:00.000-04:00What makes them "emerging", for me, is that it see...What makes them "emerging", for me, is that it seems like whatever they do, they do because it emerges from the gifts and needs of the people in their community - not because it's imposed upon them by any other authority - be it an institutional hierarchy, institutional rule set, internal leadership hierarchy, rigid doctrinal statements, or even dogmatic attachment to a particular view of Scripture. For example:<BR/><BR/>Q: Who is a part of the family? <BR/>A: Who shows up?<BR/>NOT: Who conforms to doctrinal norms or institutional requirements?<BR/><BR/>Q: Who gets to lead?<BR/>A: Who is gifted and passionate?<BR/>NOT: Who has the proper ordination, education, higher-up approval, or position?<BR/><BR/>Q: What shall we do together?<BR/>A: What are our gifts and needs as a body?<BR/>NOT: What is expected of us according to our institution, tradition, or One True Interpretation of Scripture?<BR/><BR/>These are the things that, to me, make New Hope an emerging church - not necessarily "part of the movement", but a church where community identity and action "emerge" as opposed to being imposed - and which differentiate it from almost all evangelical (and liberal mainline) churches I've encountered.Mike Croghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18099387827886541138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403232.post-82074591371535458092009-03-24T14:06:00.000-04:002009-03-24T14:06:00.000-04:00I am not as sure on the whole "emerging church" mo...I am not as sure on the whole "emerging church" movement being applied to New Hope. I understand your observations (I think), but I would point out that most evangelical churches have had a similar feel for me (in a previous life), so the openness and less formal leadership may be a "low church thing" more than an emerging church thing. <BR/><BR/>That said, I think the opportunity to engage is very good and a challenge.Ken Tennysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04456595071948145674noreply@blogger.com