July 08 Meeting

Nine of us gathered at the Moonlite Diner for our July conversation. A few newcomers fit right in to our discussion of Scot McKnight's article, "Five Streams of the Emerging Church," which we plan to continue next month. It was amazing to hear the same themes from so many of those gathered, some of whom had just met. I enjoyed both the insight and humor that everyone shared! We discussed how emerging conversations are prophetic (or at least provocative) concerning how the "church" needs to change. Change how? One aspect is that, while we have a basis in Christ, "no systematic theology can be final." We say, "This is what I believe, but I could be wrong. What do you think? Let's talk." And talk we did. But it doesn't stop there. "How a person lives is more important than what she or he believes...This holistic emphasis finds perfect expression in the ministry of Jesus, who went about doing good to bodies, spirits, families, and societies. He picked the marginalized up from the floor and put them back in their seats at the table; he attracted harlots and tax collectors; he made the lame walk and opened the ears of the deaf. He cared, in other words, not just about lost souls, but also about whole persons and whole societies." We discussed the importance of living "communal lives," by serving and loving God and one another as an expression of "church." We plan to continue the conversation in a month at a place to be determined. Join our Meetup Group for upcoming notices and details http://emergentchristian.meetup.com/29/ We also decided in the meantime that we would share missional opportunities in the community that any of us might participate in, through Meetup, so that others can join in if they choose. And we decided that we would continue to encourage each other, through these conversations and in any way, and any time we can, "in the way of Jesus."

First Meeting

We had a great first planning meeting tonight. Seven people attended and my experience exceeded expectations. We had an eclectic group of men and women, 30, 40 and 50 somethings, including homeless shelter directors, a Christian rocker/Law professor, a Librarian, a Marketer, a Mountain-biker, a Romanian Baptist Pastor and a Government Administrator. We had honest, lively and in-depth discussion about our views of the modern and post-modern church, the Emergent Conversation from the views of both advocates and healthy skeptics, and what we hope to gain from and contribute to the discussion. We planned future Meetups, what books and articles to discuss, and how we can be missional in our community. Best of all, I genuinely felt that both those who already knew each other, and newcomers to the group, grew closer to God and to one another. Our next meeting is Monday, July 28th, at 7pm, at the Moonlite Diner in Hollywood. We decided to use Scot McKnight's "Five Streams of the Emerging Church" (posted on the left under "Friends, Resources," etc.) to start our conversation. Here is an excerpt, "Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger, in their book, Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures (Baker Academic, 2005) define emerging in this way: Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures. This definition encompasses nine practices. Emerging churches (1) identify with the life of Jesus, (2) transform the secular realm, and (3) live highly communal lives. Because of these three activities, they (4) welcome the stranger, (5) serve with generosity, (6) participate as producers, (7) create as created beings, (8) lead as a body, and (9) take part in spiritual activities."

Additional information about the next meeting is posted on our Meetup site: http://emergentchristian.meetup.com/29/ If you are interested, join the group (its free) to get notices about upcoming meetings, events and service opportunities.

Babylon's fallin'

Steve

These churches get it...

Today's Miami Herald poses this thought, "Some people say that churches shouldn't be in the social service business, that they should just tend to the spiritual needs of their faithful." You can read the whole article, "Prayer and Pragmatism" at: http://www.miamiherald.com/tropical_life/story/585131.html And others say that churches have abdicated their social role and government filled the vacuum. Who do you think should be responding to social needs?

Launch...

Hi! A few of us have been talking about starting an Emergent Cohort in Broward County. There are almost ninety cohorts around the US and in other countries, and five in Florida. But none so far in Broward, a diverse community of 1.8 million people. Some of us have been growing impatient in our spiritual journey. Some have recently graduated seminary and are now doing "simple church." Some have been devouring books that resonate with our, "disillusionment and disenfranchisement by the conventional ecclesial institutions of the late 20th century." Some of these books are linked on the left side of this blog under Emerging Conversation. Some of us are finding new ways to be "missional" in our service to others. We have been having spirited, relevant conversations about the Kingdom of God in our own lives, in the lives of those we love, and in the world. And we have realized we have more and more complex questions than we have simple answers. We are finding that in His steadfast love, God is full of surprises.

We all share the dream of Emergent Village, http://www.emergentvillage.com/ "...to join in the activity of God in the world wherever we are able, partnering with God as God’s dreams for our world come true. In the process, the world can be healed and changed, and so can we."

This post is to start the conversation in Broward. We invite you to comment, or contact me through our Meetup Group http://emergentchristian.meetup.com/29/ and share your thoughts about this cohort. Are you interested in joining the dialogue? What topics should we discuss? When and where should we meet? How often? Do you have suggestions for this blog? (this is my first attempt, and I can use the help :^)

I look forward to hearing from friends, and meeting new friends along the Way.

Peace,

Steve