Emergent Brethren
While we are at this emergent definition phase, what about defining “emergent brethren”.
In many ways, I think, we (The Church of the Brethren -now) were emergent from the begining! Alexander Mack and his wife Anna and the other 6 — the original 8 – the original small group… were very emergent as they rejected their state church mentality and devoted themselves to studying the bible and devoted themselves to following Jesus first and foremost! The definitely stood at odds with the state church culture of the day…
I’ve been saying for some time now, that we need to get back to that emergent posture that rejects the USAmerican Christian model of church that is more of a social club and corporation than a mission arm of Jesus in the world. And in some ways for the Church of the Brethren it is a BIG jump and in other ways that counter culture force is one of the gifts we have to offer the world and the church, especially in USAmerica. For instance in serving the poor and marginalized… being peacemakers…living in the blessing (and curse) of community… working for justice for all God’s children. It is these very “core” values of the Church of the Brethren that make us emergent, I think. What about you? What do you think?
30 Jan 2007 Martin Hutchison
A couple things I would add: “gathering around the Word” – an openness to continuing revelation from scripture and what Marcos Inhauser (CoB in Brazil) calls a “communitarian hermeneutic” – practice of shared study and discernment; corollary to continuing revelation of scripture is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit; a creative interplay between personal piety and community; and the discernment, development and employment of gifts/ministries of each spiritual pilgrim.
These postures of faith require an awareness that we don’t have it all figured out and bottled up. These commitments are at their core an acknowledgment that God is God, somewhat known, somewhat a mystery, always beyond our capacity to fully understand and know.
I whole-heartedly agree with you, Martin, that the focus and purpose of all this activity is not to benefit the church, but rather to participate more fully in what God is doing in the world. So often we seem to forget that God is at work in the world, with or without us, and that our calling is to join in that work, not “protect” God or ourselves from the world (as if we could!).
I like the concept of “communitarian hermeneuticâ€.
One of the things we do in worship regularly is an adapted version of Lectio Divina — we practice it together, then share insights as a large group. It is fun and inspiring to see how the Spirit works in us and through this process in a way that can’t happen when practiced individually.
There is something wonderful about being the community of God in the world!
Martin,
Your comment “the blessing (and curse) of community” is insightful. Getting along with one another is tough. Inviting new people (especially if they aren’t like us) into community is tougher. Holding one another to our convictions may be the toughest. But as you suggest, this is what the emergent church must risk! Shared convictions, deep love and a common mission are all vital aspects.
Without having examined the subject deeply, I wonder if this is something of what Paul was getting at in his letter to Philemon?!?!
Tim Harvey
Tim,
I think “RISK” is a great term here. We MUST risk some things to join Jesus in the work he is doing in the world.
One of the primary things, in my opinion, that we must risk is our model of church that is far too much like a club and develop or adopt another model that is much more missional, is about a way of life rather than a subscribed to set of beliefs, that makes disciples and sees God’s transforming power unleashed in the lives of our neighbors, friends, work associates, children, and families.
We must risk becoming a go and show church rather than a come and see church. But then all that calls for us to move out of our comfort zones and let go of some unbiblibal models of what it means to be the church.
The recent “Together: a conversation on being the church” I hope will help us see some of these areas where we need to make changes.