posted
question. several pieces on emergent churches which i've seen lately talk about house churches. what is the connection if there is one? in the article i was reading it looked as if emergent leaders and authors had great sway over the others. i lost track of the article but am looking. john
I'm no expert on what is meant by emergent churches. The term "emergent" has been used plenty of times in the past for the latest thing coming down the old pike. Part of the emergent church's appeal is that it cannot be defined and it seems to be very inclusive, lest anyone be offended, ya know.
I guess you'll have to check the popular emergent church leaders writings to know more. I have several of their books around here and they didn't particularly impress me. Admittedly, it takes a lot to impress me. Lol. I am not certain what is driving the movement but I have noticed several house church authors and web site operators identifying with it.
One might start with the name "Brian McLaren" as he seems to be the chief spokesperson/bookseller. Let us know what you come up with in your studies, brother.
posted
From what I've been able to read about the emergent churches or emerging churches is that a few pastors or men who were involved with the big megachurches were concerned that they didn't seem to see a lot of people attending their megachurches in the age groups of about 20-28 (younger group). So they left the megachurches and went into more of a setting that would be appealing to this age of people. The emergent churches became churches that would appeal to more of a laid back type of worshipping, more creative. From what I've read it is the group of people who would have a lava lamp and a bean bag and pull up in someone's livingroom and have a spiritual chat about things. They often are into christian contemporary music and other artistic types of creative worship. Instead of going to sit to hear a sermon they would much sooner give a spare bedroom to a friend in need.
I've personally never been to one of these "emerging" churches so I can not speak from experience.
It kind of reminds me of the days that I was in a christian rock music and we had a house in the poor part of town and were fixing it up for people to live in that had need. Or maybe something like the "christian" hippie movement maybe?
In my searching on the internet I have run into a website about "emerging churches" and it must have been at least interesting enough to me that I put it in my favorites. But I never revisited it .
I do not know how much they support or are involved with the home church movement. One article I read said that some of the megachurches support them, I guess that must mean financially.
posted
i am still looking into the emergent movement. i am checking out the book reviews like the one here from amazon.com. it's one of several negative reviews on vol 2 of the mclaren trilogy. "The Story We Find Ourselves In: Further Adventures of a New Kind of Christian." i am losing interest very fast as I cannot stand movements which have an earthly leader. john
quote:As for the theology, most of what McLaren has to say in this second part of his trilogy is wrapped in politics, an obvious adherence to evolution, and his clear aversion things traditionally evangelical. The only "bad guys" in this work are caricatures of traditional evangelicals. At times McLaren seems to toy with Monism, Pelagianism, and a general lack of definition of sin and redemption. The concept of redemption looms large in his book, but it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what needs to be redeemed except white evangelicals and conservative politics. In other words, sin does not play the role it needs to in order for McLaren's version of redemption to be meaningful.
At one point near the end of the story when McLaren is laying the foundation for the third book's plot, his theology hits the surface. Dan and Neo are reflecting on the death of one character and Dan is questioning him about heaven and hell. Neo is talking around the issue and Dan presses him on the point. Neo's, and apparently McLaren's, response is, "Why do you always need to ask that question?" Neo then continues to evade giving a clear or distinct answer to the question. The answer to why the question of heaven and hell needs to be answered is obvious-because it is the one final question every single human being ever born needs to face. Seems to me that a caring and thoughtful response would not be a gloss but an answer.
posted
Does Brian McLaren advocate house churches? Or has he spoken at any of the house church conferences, or invited house church leaders to speak at his events? I'm not clear on the relationship, if any, except perhaps that there's a mutual discomfort with megachurches.
posted
Yes, there is some mutuality of concerns and I am aware that some emergents are involved in house churches but this is rare.
Most of the emergent literature I've seen is clergy and location centered. Granted, I haven't seen it all nor do I care to. Furthermore, emergent is a changing thing or a "conversation." Nobody must be too certain of anything as that might destroy the mystery of the journey.
In one of McLaren's books, The Church on the Other Side, he mentions house churches as under-developed churches which will likely and eventually grow and hire paid leaders. I'll bring this quote forward for everyone who is interested to examine it. (Give me a day or two as my daughter is a-marrying this weekend.)
On the other hand, if there are really tens of millions of house churchers in the USA, McLaren could hardly ignore or overly offend them since the number of emergents is tiny by comparison.
If you are more conversant in the emergent conversation than I, please feel free to offer more info or a correction.
See you soon. May our God bless your thoughts and your work today.
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