Emergent Church to Emerge

A couple of months ago a fellow told me that in the next 3-5 years we will be having a full blown "Emergent" church planted here in Ashland. I would suggest then that you review what an Emergent church is (this lecture I found quite good) so that you may be equipped to counsel friends and family against involvement in it.

I would also add that many churches in Ashland already have Emergent tendencies (i.e. a focus on experiences rather than upon the truth of God's Word). Gladly though most of these churches are not full blown Emergent and still regard absolute truth as an absolute necessity. Nevertheless, most churches are switching rapidly to "let's get the church experience" while the regular elements of worship such as prayer, preaching, and the sacraments are rapidly evaporating from worship services.

Funny though, the elements that God has laid out in the Bible are very much experiential in nature. The reading and preaching of God's Word is a mystical moment as the Spirit of God has opportunity to work in the hearts and minds of the listeners. The sacraments are even more experiential in that they are tangible representations of the gospel that the Spirit uses to increase faith. Yet, these lack the "spice" that our sinful natures crave. God likes to use things that are simple, but our hearts lust after what is flashy and innovative. But the foolishness of God is still wiser than man's wisdom.

Regarding this forthcoming church I expect that it will come with great pomp. The local paper will give it the front and center spot because it is unusual in its philosophy. The normal media blitz of mailings and banners will also catch the attention of the town for a time. Like other start-ups around town sheep will move from one flock to another and it will be the flavor for the day.

But after the novelty wears off the tide of people will be greatly diminished. If it doesn't happen in the first generation, it will certainly happen in about 30 years. Mainline churches that dumped absolute truth in the 1920's are basically ecclesiastical tombs today. The end result of the two is the same: If there is no good news to hear, why listen?