The Emerging Church Movement

[artsylady]

You were a bit off topic, but Gymrose was making a good point. There are some pentecostal and baptist gatherings who make their own rules and tell people what they are to do or wear, However this thread is about the emerging or emergent post modern, mega churches and so called pastors who are preaching different means to have eternal life in heaven with Jesus.

I think it's veered off topic because there seems to be a market out there attracted to the Emerging Church because we've failed them in the traditional church.

[Elbit Pada]

The emergent church movement is a wide movement. It is difficult to make sweeping generalizations about it (just like the evangelical movement).

I agree. Something that I do like about the Emergent Church is that it appeals to those who would normally not feel comfortable in a traditional church, such as Punks and other sub-cultures.

AMEN to both of you!!!

[Elbit Pada]

By truth I mean keeping the absolute truth of the Bible and the Beliefs, faith etc.......... Teaching Christian truth according to the Bible.

Acceptence of uniqueness, I mean we are all created with such diverse personalities. Like you might like a style of music but it doesn't really do much for me or even down to our homes, you might like contemperary where I like oldworldly that sort of thing.

I have heard of some churches here (never been to one, so this is hearsay) that don't have worship as in music in their service because alot of men have stated they wouldn't go to church because they feel weirded out about standing there singing..... But their teaching and prayer is grounded in the Bible.

Hope that helps clarify.

How comfortable and accepted is an unchurched biker with leathers and tattoos going to feel walking into a church of "Mr. Roger's" types...

I think this is what you mean isn't it GymRose?

[artsylady]

How comfortable and accepted is an unchurched biker with leathers and tattoos going to feel walking into a church of "Mr. Roger's" types...

That's the main reason that I personally don't want to look like Mrs Rogers.

[jackie d]

eric said:

What I am trying to say, is people are not turning to the ECM, because they are shunned by other attendees that don't accept them. They going to the ECM, because of the 'easy believing' friend seeking style of preaching thay does't offend their guilt feeling and they preach that there are alternatives to eternal security. I am not pointing at any particular post modern church, but seems to be the coming trend.

though you may not be wrong about some turning to these churches for the reasons you stated above eric, I don't believe that is ALL who go to those churches and that there IS an issue of non-acceptance of certain class or appearance that is being shunned by the Church of Christ....

there is failure by both the Church of Christ and there is failure by the ECM....

we cannot ignore the flaws in either the teachings nor those in attendance. IMO

[artsylady]

My point is, that we do not have to dress punk to reach out to punks, and frankly, I wouldn't have shared my pain with her if she dressed as a punk too. Something about her "stuck out" to me because she was different! That is exactly WHY I veered towards her!! I needed and desired something "different" yet I did not have a clue what that different thing was until I met a fellow sister in Christ!!

So it was her clothing that made her stick out or was it her attitude of reaching out to you?

Could it be possible at all that as a nonbeliever, you saw the outside, but really, what it was that was attractive, unbenownst to you, was Jesus IN her?

A lot of people work with troubled youth and have huge impacts, like Lisa did with you, but they wear regular clothes. I actually have worked with a number of troubled youths in the foster care system but did not wear dresses daily. Would you criticise them or me for that? What about women working with inner city youth - maybe shooting some baskets with them. Do you honestly believe that skirts are necessary for being a great witness for Christ?

[jackie d]

the point is that none should feel they are or are not welcome regardless of what their personal style is...why don't people get that?

anywayz....this thread is not about skirts, it is about the EMC as has been pointed out by another member.

[artsylady]

Amazing how you can turn something like that into an argument! You are a tad defensive.

I guess I should add more smileys to my post because, to my own amazement, you mistook my questions for defensiveness. I hadn't read through all of the 'women should not wear pants' threads and wondered if you were one of those people who feels women should just not wear pants. I was trying to see exactly how far do you take this?

I DO NOT beleve that skirts are necessary to be a great witness for Christ, BUT!~ Lisa's skirts were a part of her witness for Christ! She stood out in a GOOD way! And this caused troubled youth to gravitate towards her!

So what do you think it was? Her style of dress or her attitude that made her stick out?

S

ome people dress nicely, but it does not reflect what is on the inside. Lisa dressed nicely, and it DID reflect what was on the inside. I believe a Christian can dress like 'doom and gloom' style, but I also believe it will not be reflecting what is on the inside.

How do you define 'doom and gloom' dress?

Now how about this, some bikers go into a church filled with people who dress nicely. Why should it bother the bikers if those people dress nicely if it is ONLY what is on the inside that counts? A person does not have to dress like a biker in order to portray a welcoming spirit. Lisa certainly didn't need to!

I'm more concerned about the biker who goes into church alone where everyone is dressed formally and it's obvious to them that they don't fit there.

[jackie d]

For the past several weeks, I have been going to a church I was attracted to just because they had a ministry for my age group. Turns out that church is part of the Emerging Church Movement, a New Age movemenet that appeals to the masses, especially the unchurched or post-churched. I guess I know why I didn't like the sermons, now.

"Emerging Church Movement, a New Age movement that appeals to the masses".......

I have found that the Emerging church movement is a lot like the prosperity teachings and all things are possible as long as you don't forget your heart's dreams and a lot of mumbo jumbo that has everything to do with making things happen of our own and very little to do with the working of God through the Holy Spirit... and why wouldn't this appeal to the masses? Especially in places like the US where every thing is about power, glitz, glamour, wealth and fame...who needs God when we can have all the shiny pretty stuff? Kind of like rats...they just love shiny things....

[OneLight]

Me (quoted)~Now how about this, some bikers go into a church filled with people who dress nicely. Why should it bother the bikers if those people dress nicely if it is ONLY what is on the inside that counts? A person does not have to dress like a biker in order to portray a welcoming spirit. Lisa certainly didn't need to!

Artsy Lady~ I'm more concerned about the biker who goes into church alone where everyone is dressed formally and it's obvious to them that they don't fit there.

I certainly didnt feel that way when I was a punk. Why? People embraced me. They welcomed me!

It all has to do with what is in a persons heart. I use to be a biker, not tats though ... Yet, when the person that approached me about Jesus stepped up, I could see that he was not bothered with my dress nor background. I could feel the love flow through him.

There are a vast majority of people who do believe in Jesus at their savior, but lack to desire to serve him in this manner. Why? I have no idea ... maybe they are afraid that they don't know what to say, or maybe they themselves are intimidated by the way someone else looks? Never the less, those who have given their lives totally over the the Lord for His service, will not judge anyone by their looks, manner or lifestyle, for God gave up His Son for all to find salvation, not just a certain click. Maybe it has something to do with being able to relate to them? Trying to find that common ground where they both feel comfortable? I truly don't know.

What I do know is that we do have to stop rejecting sinners, and saved alike, because of how they look. We are to love them unconditionally and let God work out the details. Do we need a new church to accomplish this? I pray we don't, because that would mean that the churches that are already established stopped growing in the Lord.

Yet, the emergent church is more then just accepting people for who they are.