What the Emerging Church Needs, pt. 2

As previously mentioned, I’ve hesitated in posting anything on this topic. I care deeply about the Church’s need to divest itself of its “modern” entrenchments, yet despite my own commitment and involvement within the Emerging Church (EC), in no way do I see myself as an expert in this endeavor. Rather, I see myself as someone on an expedition – a journey of exploration and discovery. I’m learning at least as much from others who are also on this expedition and are pointing things out to the rest of us, as I am from discovering things myself. My only purpose in pointing out what the emerging church needs, is in hope that others might benefit somehow from what I’m seeing, whether or not they end up agreeing. That said, I continue now with what, IMHO, the Emerging Church needs.

The Practice of Honest Deconstruction.
One of the traits of postmodernity is deconstruction. The endeavor to deconstruct philosophies, belief-systems, and institutions in order to reconstruct them seems to me a noble one.

But many EC leaders and thought-leaders are rather dishonest in their deconstruction, in that they “use” this tool within the sphere of the Church (e.g. in relation to theology or ecclesiology), but rarely if ever engage it in deconstructing things outside that sphere (e.g. contemporary culture, art, politics). That’s why I consider this kind of deconstruction as inappropriately biased and dishonest.

For example… one of America’s most severely messed-up institutions is it’s system of public education. It’s no secret that, when compared with other developed countries, America’s educational “results” are embarrassing. And although there are individual schools and perhaps even school districts which have risen above the mediocrity that so-characterizes it’s public education efforts, the power-elite who set the standards and agenda for U.S. schools repeatedly caters to the influence of political correctness and the values of an overly individualistic and egalitarian culture. The result? The belief that “we are doing education right”, regardless of the net results, along with a perpetual unwillingness to adopt the principles and methodologies of other nations who are succeeding where we are failing. My point is this: that within the EC we encounter a “Christian” variety of deconstructionist who is only interested in deconstructing the modern, institutional Church – all the while, failing to use the ideology they claim to believe in (as postmoderns) to deconstruct and improve society as a whole. If we’re going to deconstruct, let’s be fair about it – including the deconstruction of postmodernity itself (a side-point: there are many thought-leaders who see postmodernity as a “transitional” paradigm, and are already therefore anticipating what is “next”).

A Missional Compassion Toward Moderns.
Not everyone resonates with postmodernity. Statisticians claim that while 70% of Gen-X’rs are “postmodern” in their orientation, 30% have remained “modern.” These percentages are the opposite for Baby-Boomers and Busters. What this means is that there will continue to be a significant portion of the population that does not resonate with or relate to postmodern epistemologies or methodologies.

If the EC is to be successful in recapturing the ethos of Jesus and of the primitive, spirit-filled Church, then we must not turn our backs on moderns. The EC needs to develop a missional mindset toward those in the population who do not resonate with their own particular paradigm – we need to express as much Christ-like compassion for modern thinkers as we do for the poor, the disenfranchised, and those of other faiths. It may well be that we need EC missionaries being sent into the lifeless bastions of the IC – wherever that might be found – to bring the incarnational and liberating message of Christ to those held captive by religiosity. EC leaders need to begin weeping over the institutional Church, instead of only discrediting her. We need a missional compassion for ALL people, regardless of their philosophical disposition or paradigmatic orientation. And that includes moderns.

Christian Freedom as Responsibility, not License.
My involvement within the EC over the past few years has left me deeply concerned over what I see as a distorted understanding of Christian freedom. Some of the greatest efforts being made to pioneer emerging communities of faith are being pioneered by men and women coming out of fundamentalist denominations – a phenomenon that I’m still pondering. Why is there a seemingly disproportionate number of EC leaders with this particular background, as compared with those from, say, a Holiness/Pentecostal background (not to mention those from specifically Asian, or African-American churches)?

But back to the point at hand – I believe that it is exhilarating to emerge from a religious system that may well have been oppressively legalistic, and then to find oneself in an “emerging” mindset that tends to be “permission-giving” rather than “permission-denying.” Helping people break free from the manmade legalism common within the IC has been one of the many benefits of the EC movement.

Christian liberty is both powerful and beautiful, but when it is wielded as “our right” rather than “our responsibility,” I’m seeing that it leads to unhealthy experimentation and a kind of braggart attitude that’s incongruent with the ancient mandate of scripture:

Galatians 5:13 (MsgB) It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows.

We in the EC need to teach our people about the “purpose” of being free in Christ. The cause of Christ will never be advanced because, thanks to the EC, more and more Christians are now smoking, drinking, clubbing, swearing, or whatever -- and then boasting about it! What “will” make an impact, however, will be when – thanks to the EC – more and more Christians stop judging people who do smoke, drink, swear, go clubbing, or whatever -- and begin loving them and serving them right where they’re at, and for who they are, and for who they can become in Christ. That’s the kind of stuff for which Christ has truly set us free.

Comments

[Daniel]

"EC leaders need to begin weeping over the institutional Church, instead of only discrediting her."

Oh Chris, you've spoken my heart here brother! When will we remember that, when Christ looks at the institutional Church, he sees "a radiant church without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless?" When will we begin to feel his compassion for them? When will we learn to look beyond her faults and see in her something beautiful?

Heaven knows I am not a perfect man, but my wife, who better than anyone else knows my weaknesses, imperfections, and sins, still looks upon me as though I were perfect. She has made herself my partner in growing beyond these things, all the while loving me as though they didn't exist. Is this not how Jesus loves the church, institutional *and* emerging?

If we of the emerging generations will not adopt this same compassion toward the institutional church, I am certain Christ will judge us as those who would rape his beloved bride.

[Dan Edelen]

Wow. That was one of the most insightful pieces I've read lately. I think you nailed every point.

All I would add is that deconstruction is always dangerous when it comes to deconstructing God and His words to us. Personally, I believe neither is meant to be deconstructed and reconstructed because the reconstruction usually bears little resemblance to the original. In the end, our deconstructions tend to fall along the lines of the serpent in the Garden hissing, "Did God really say...?"

[dave]

chris-
what a great post. I am challenged, convicted, and filled with hope. I think that you hit the nail on the head in all areas. I hope that more people start hearing your voice, you have much to offer. I know that recently I have been terribly convicted about my critique of the IC. No matter how I looked at it, I have been bad mouthing Christ's bride. I would not let anyone ever bad mouth my wife, but here I was bad mouthing the bride of Christ. I have so much to learn, and I am thankful for pastors like you who, in gentle, thoughtful ways can help me learn. Thanks again

[Aaron O.]

Good words, DP.

I've often found myself saying to moderns, "We are to convert people to Christ, not to modernism." But I should also be saying to my POMO brethren, "We are to convert people to Christ, not to postmodernism." I think that Christianity, at its core, is the same no matter what the era- love your God, love your neighbor. Period.

[tammy]

my immediate response is this:

but DP, my friend! you're wrong! i've deconstructed all kinds of systems these last 20 years. medical care (that's why i birthed 2 babies at home). education (that's why i home schooled for several years). grocery stores/fast food/pre-packaged foods (that's why i've been a health food nut). religion is only one of the systems that i've questioned and attempted to reform.

my second response is this:

there do seem to be a lot of ex-fundies claiming the postmodern title. however, postmoderism is not the same thing as what the emerging church is all about.

my third response:

we are replaying history in all of its pain and hatred, if we allow the EC and IC to become labels that we use against each other. in fact, i believe that we need to stop using those labels at all. i'm quite frustrated with them.

so in the end, i agree with DP, my friend, more than i disagree.

so i guess we're still friends. :D

[Chris (DesertPastor)]

Tammy -- thanks for responding, and then taking the time to explain.
It's encouraging to hear how you've challenged several institutions (e.g. education, medical)and not just the church -- that's probably why I've always tended to trust any "deconstruction" you've done. A true role-model! ;)

The IC/EC "labeling" is problematic, isn't it? Language is both a blessing and a curse. I'm all ears for any suggestions.

Your friend -- DP

[tammy]

i have no suggestions.

but i'm still your friend. :D