The Emerging Church and The One Project part 1

1. THE EMERGING CHURCH
&
THE ONE PROJECT?
PART 1
“DEFINITIONS”
1
My
study
into
the
emerging
church
started
when
a
pastor
back
East
asked
if
I
knew
anything
about
“The
One
Project”.
When
I
began
to
study
into
the
history
of
the
Project
and
those
who
started
the
movement,
I
was
led
to
enquire
about
the
Emerging
Church
and
its
teachings
and
history.
I
found
that
it
deals
with
much
more
than
just
“spiritual
formation”
and
“centering
prayer.”

2. Definitions
2
The
Emerging
church
is
described
in
Wikipedia,
taking
10
pages
with
71
references.
It
is
a
good
summary
based
on
many
of
the
books
written
by
those
in
the
movement
itself.
All
of
the
following
quotes
from
this
web
site
are
taken
form
quotes
of
those
in
the
Emerging
Church
movement,
or
those
who
have
studied
into
the
movement
in
an
academic
research
setting.
There
is
much
more
to
the
Emerging
Church
movement
than
Contemplative
Prayer
and
Spiritual
Formation.

3. Definitions
¨ Emerging Church: “is a Christian movement of the late 20th and
early 21st centuries that crosses a number of theological
boundaries: participants can be described as Protestant, post-
Protestant, catholic, evangelical,[1]
post-evangelical, liberal, post-
liberal, conservative, post-conservative, anabaptist, adventist,[2]
reformed, charismatic, neocharismatic, and post-charismatic. “
¨ “In the US, some Roman Catholics have also begun to describe
themselves as being part of the emergent conversation.[1]”
“While
emerging
is
a
wider,
informal,
church-­‐based,
global
movement,
Emergent
refers
to
an
official
organization,
the
Emergent
Village,
associated
with
Brian
McLaren,
and
has
also
been
called
the
‘Emergent
stream.’”
Adventist
here
refers
to
Seventh-­‐day
Adventist.
The
reference
is
taken
form
Ryan
Bell’s
blog,
pastor
of
the
Hollywood
Church
who
is
very
much
a
part
of
the
Emerging
Church
movement.
3

4. Definitions
¨ “Stuart Murray states: ‘Emerging churches are
so disparate there are exceptions to any
generalisations. Most are too new and too fluid
to clarify, let alone assess their significance.
There is no consensus yet about what language
to use: 'new ways of being church'; 'emerging
church'; 'fresh expressions of church'; 'future
church'; 'church next'; or ‘the coming church’.”
4

5. Definitions and Terminology
¨ “Proponents believe the movement transcends such ‘modernist’
labels of ‘conservative’ and ‘liberal,’ calling the movement a
‘conversation’ to emphasize its developing and decentralized nature,
its vast range of standpoints [beliefs], and its commitment to
dialogue.”
¨ “What those involved in the conversation mostly agree on is their
disillusionment with the organized and institutional church and
their support for the deconstruction of modern Christian worship,
modern evangelism, and the nature of modern Christian
community.”
¨ “The emerging church favors the use of simple story and narrative.”
Conversation,
simple
story,
narrative
and
missional,
are
all
catch
phrases
of
the
Emerging
Church.
Some
of
the
things
they
stand
for
are
not
wrong
in
and
of
themselves,
like
feeding
the
poor,
helping
the
orphans,
standing
up
for
the
underdog,
etc.
But
for
true
Christianity,
these
activities
are
not
an
end
in
themselves.
We
will
see
later
how
Ellen
White
says
“The
leaders
would
teach
that
virtue
is
better
than
vice,
but
God
being
removed,
they
would
place
their
dependence
on
human
power,
which,
without
God,
is
worthless.”
5

6. Values and Characteristics
¨ “Members of the movement often place a high
value on good works or social activism, including
missional living.[3]
While some Evangelicals
emphasize eternal salvation, many in the emerging
church emphasize the here and now.”[4]
Conversation,
simple
story,
narrative
and
missional,
are
all
catch
phrases
of
the
Emerging
Church.
Some
of
the
things
they
stand
for
are
not
wrong
in
and
of
themselves,
like
feeding
the
poor,
helping
the
orphans,
standing
up
for
the
underdog,
etc.
But
for
true
Christianity,
these
activities
are
not
an
end
in
themselves.
We
will
see
later
how
Ellen
White
says
“The
leaders
would
teach
that
virtue
is
better
than
vice,
but
God
being
removed,
they
would
place
their
dependence
on
human
power,
which,
without
God,
is
worthless.”
6

7. Values and characteristics
¨ “Gibbs and Bolger[24] interviewed a number of people
involved in leading emerging churches and from this research
have identified some core values in the emerging church,
including desires to imitate the life of Jesus; transform secular
society; emphasize communal living; welcome outsiders; be
generous and creative; and lead without control.
”
On
the
surface
this
sounds
good,
perhaps
like
the
French
revolution.
Much
of
the
sentiment
behind
it
was
rebelling
against
false
forms
of
religion
in
Europe
during
the
period
of
the
dark
ages.
But
there
were
also
elements
of
rebelling
against
God
and
any
restraint
against
human
passion.
7

8. Postmodern worldview and
hermeneutics
¨ “Emerging Christians began to challenge the modern
church on issues such as: institutional structures,
systematic theology, propositional teaching methods, a
perceived preoccupation with buildings, an attractional
understanding of mission, professional clergy, and a
perceived preoccupation with the political process and
unhelpful jargon (‘Christian-ese’).[35]”
Propositional
teaching
methods
would
be
preaching
with
the
assumption
that
you
had
truth
to
share
or
knew
the
meaning
of
a
certain
passage
and
where
presenting
it
as
such.
“Attractional
understanding
of
mission”
means
seeking
to
attract
others
to
Jesus
by
telling
them
that
we
are
sinners
and
in
need
of
a
savior
and
that
Christ
is
the
only
way.
8

9. Postmodern worldview and
hermeneutics
¨ “As a result, some in the emerging church believe it is
necessary to deconstruct modern Christian dogma. One
way this happens is by engaging in dialogue, rather than
proclaiming a predigested message, believing that this
[dialogue] leads people to Jesus through the Holy Spirit
on their own terms.”
This
is
Key.
SO
you
hold
a
weekend
gathering.
Have
some
general
presentation,
and
then
facilitate
dialogue.
So
Bible
truth
is
not
proclaimed
but
dialogue
encouraged
and
“holy
spirit”
leads
people
to
“Jesus”
on
“their
own
terms.”
Yes,
God
wants
us
to
come
and
reason
together,
but
based
on
His
truth
not
our
“terms”.
Those
in
the
emerging
church
movement
have
their
own
“Dogma.”
9

10. Postmodern worldview and
hermeneutics
¨ “The emerging church movement contains a great
diversity in beliefs and practices, although some
have adopted a preoccupation with sacred rituals,
good works, and political and social activism.
Much of the Emerging Church movement has also
adopted the approach to evangelism which
stressed peer-to-peer dialogue rather than
dogmatic proclamation and proselytizing.[36]”
Evangelism
as
required
by
the
third
angel’s
message
would
be
considered
“proselytizing.”
10

11. Postmodern worldview and
hermeneutics
¨ “A plurality of Scriptural interpretations is acknowledged in the
emerging church movement. Participants in the movement
exhibit a particular concern for the effect of the modern reader's
cultural context on the act of interpretation echoing the ideas of
postmodern thinkers. …”
¨ “Some emerging church leaders see interfaith dialogue a means
to share their narratives as they learn from the narratives of
others.”
Not
only
does
each
individual
interpret
the
Bible
based
on
his
own
culture
but
then
these
ideas
are
shared
with
others.
Very
ecumenical
in
nature.
“Let
none
cherish
the
idea
that
special
providences
or
miraculous
manifestations
are
to
be
the
proof
of
the
genuineness
of
their
work
or
of
the
ideas
they
advocate.
When
persons
will
speak
lightly
of
the
word
of
God,
and
set
their
impressions,
feelings,
and
exercises
above
the
divine
standard,
we
may
know
that
they
have
no
light
in
them.”
(MB
146)
11

12. Authenticity and conversation
¨ “A Christian is then defined by their focus and
movement toward Christ rather than a limited set of
shared beliefs and values.[39]”
¨ “Teachers in the Emerging Church tend to view the
Bible and its stories through a lens which they believe
finds significance and meaning for their community's
social and personal stories rather than for the purpose
of finding cross-cultural, propositional absolutes
regarding salvation and conduct.[41]”
Who
defines
“movement
toward
Christ”
and
which
“Christ”
are
we
talking
about?
12

13. Authenticity and conversation
¨ “The emerging church claims they are creating a
safe environment for those with opinions
ordinarily rejected within modern conservative
evangelicalism and fundamentalism. Non-
critical, interfaith dialog is preferred over
dogmatically-driven evangelism in the
movement.[42] Story and narrative replaces the
dogmatic:”
What
do
they
mean
by
non-­‐critical.
Then
people
can
gather
and
dialog
and
have
a
“conversation”
in
a
safe
environment
and
no
one
can
disagree.
13

14. Authenticity and conversation
¨ “The bible is no longer a principal source of
morality, functioning as a rulebook. The gradualism
of postmodernity has transformed the text into a
guide, a source of spirituality, in which the power
of the story as a moral reference point has
superseded the didactic [instruction or teaching].”
The
quote
above
continues:
“Thus
the
meaning
of
the
Good
Samaritan
is
more
important
than
the
Ten
Commandments
-­‐
even
assuming
that
the
latter
could
be
remembered
in
any
detail
by
anyone.”
14

15. Authenticity and conversation
¨ “Those in the movement do not engage in
aggressive apologetics or confrontational
evangelism in the traditional sense, preferring
to encourage the freedom to discover truth
through conversation and relationships with the
Christian community.[44]”
Presenting
the
idea
that
there
is
a
broad
way
and
a
strait
way
would
be
classified
as
“confrontational
evangelism”.
15

16. Creative and rediscovered spirituality
¨ “This can involve everything from expressive,
neocharismatic style of worship and the use of
contemporary music and films to more ancient
liturgical customs and eclectic expressions of
spirituality, with the goal of making the church
gathering reflect the local community's tastes.”
16

17. Creative and rediscovered spirituality
¨ “Emerging church practitioners are happy to take
elements of worship from a wide variety of historic
traditions, including traditions of the Catholic
Church, the Anglican churches, the Orthodox
churches, and Celtic Christianity. From these and
other religious traditions emerging church groups
take, adapt and blend various historic church
practices including liturgy, prayer beads, icons,
spiritual direction, the labyrinth, and lectio divina.
The Emerging Church is also sometimes called the
‘Ancient-Future’ church.[61]”
17

18. Creative and rediscovered spirituality
¨ “One of the key social drives in Western Post-
industrialized countries, is the rise in new/old forms of
mysticism. … Therefore, the Emerging Church is
operating in a new context of postmodern spirituality, as
a new form of mysticism. … many people now believe in
and are searching for something more spiritual
(postmodern view). This has been characterized as a
major shift from religion to spirituality.”
Religion
being
a
creed
or
set
beliefs,
spirituality
more
of
an
experience
not
necessarily
based
on
doctrine.
18

19. Creative and rediscovered spirituality
¨ “[T]he Emerging Church Movement is seeking to
missionally assist people to shift from being spiritual
tourists to Christian pilgrims. Many are drawing on
ancient Christian resources recontextualised into the
contemporary such as contemplation and
contemplative forms of prayer, symbolic multi-
sensory worship, story telling and many others.[66]
This again has required a change in focus as the
majority of unchurched and dechurched people are
seeking 'something that works' rather than something
that is ‘true’. [67]”
¨ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church#cite_note-15)
19

20. Summary: Emerging Church is
❖ World wide movement
❖ Involves all of Christendom and other religions
❖ Includes some in Seventh-day Adventist Church
❖ Has many good sounding stated values and goals
❖ Represents those with vast difference in beliefs
❖ Seeks to find agreement on key points
❖ Moving from authority of Scripture to narratives
❖ Culture and experience rather than absolute truth
❖ Moves from Biblical organization to individualism
❖ Worship combines old & new forms of mysticism
❖ Brings about change through “Conversations” etc.
❖ Involves much more than Contemplative Prayer, etc.
❖ Separates mission work from gospel message
Read
Great
Controversy
chapter
27
“Modern
Revivals”,
and
Chapters
29
-­‐34:
“The
Origin
of
Evil,”
“Enmity
Between
Man
and
Satan,”
“Agency
of
Evil
Spirits,”
“Snares
of
Satan,”
“The
First
Great
Deception,”
“Can
the
Dead
Speak
to
Us?
(Spiritualism).”
These
chapters
give
us
insight
into
what
is
taking
place
today
in
the
world
and
in
our
church.
20

21. Jesus Method of Evangelism
¨ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
¨ because he hath anointed me to preach the
gospel to the poor;
¨ he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
¨ to preach deliverance to the captives,
¨ and recovering of sight to the blind,
¨ to set at liberty them that are bruised,
¨ to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)
21

22. 22
We
will
look
at
just
one
contrast
between
Emerging
Church
ideas
and
Jesus’
Methods.
Contrast
what
Bible
teaches
with
Emerging
Church
idea
of
mission/Evangelism
Luke
4:18-­‐19
Jesus
was
preaching
at
Nazareth,
quoted
from
Isa.
61:1-­‐2.
[1]Didn’t
say
Lord
sent
me
to
have
“conversations”.
Jesus
did
have
conversations.
Read
John
3
and
4,
women
at
the
well
and
Nichodimas.
Didn’t
talk
about
the
weather
and
the
latest
Greek
games
(Olympics).
The
mission
was
blended
to
meet
both
physical
and
spiritual
needs.
All
these
phrases
can
apply
to
both.
[2]
(2097)
Greek=
to
announce
good
news
(“evangelize”)
especially
the
gospel:
-­‐
declare,
bring
(declare,
show)
glad
(good)
tidings,
preach
(the
gospel).
Jesus
preached
good
news
of
salvation
which
is
the
fact
that
He
will
save
people
from
sin.
What’s
sin,
who’s
a
sinner,
what
are
the
wages,
how
do
we
escape
the
wages.
[3]
Heal
or
make
whole:
the
emotions,
the
body
physically,
and
the
mind
spiritually.
[4]
(2784)
to
herald
(as
a
public
crier),
especially
divine
truth
(the
gospel):
-­‐
preach
(-­‐er),
proclaim,
publish.
[5]
Word
for
“blind”
can
be
mean
both
physical
or
spiritual.
[6]
(2784)
Used
the
word
Preach
3
times.
[7]
Acceptable
year
denotes
a
prophetic
message
announcing
arrival
of
Messiah,
the
70
weeks
prophecy,
also
hints
at
Jubilee
year
when
captives
set
free.

23. Jesus Method of Evangelism
¨ “Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the
people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their
good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs,
and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’“
¨ “There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort. If
less time were given to sermonizing, and more time were spent in
personal ministry, greater results would be seen. The poor are to be
relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved
comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We
are to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice.
Accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the
power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without
fruit.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 143)
Sermonizing
speaks
more
of
one
who
talks
about
Christianity/religion
but
doesn't
live
it.
23

24. Jesus Method of Evangelism
24
(May-Ellen Colón, “Once a Month Jesus Comes and Holds my Hand,” Elders Digest, Dec.
2011, pp. 26-27; http://www.eldersdigest.org/assets/archives/ED%20Q4%202011.pdf)
EGW’s
statement
broken
down.

25. Emerging Church Method of Evangelism
25
“The
Dichotomous
Model
(below),”
based
on
Greek
Dualistic
thinking,
presents
the
steps
in
MH
143
as
two
competing
Gospels:
The
“Social
Gospel”
and
the
“Everlasting
Gospel”
(not
evangelical
gospel).
A
mathematician
would
call
this
graph
between
the
secular
and
the
spiritual
“inversely
proportional.”
This
means
that
the
closer
you
get
to
the
everlasting
gospel—spiritual
end—the
further
you
get
from
the
social
end,
and
vice
versa.

26. Jesus Method of Evangelism
26
Jesus
method
was
that
all
aspects
of
his
ministry
where
centered
around
leading
people
to
the
cross.
If
people
came
to
Him
and
asked
outright
what
they
must
do
to
be
saved
(number
4)
Jesus
would
tell
them.
If
people
where
not
open
to
His
teachings
right
away
He
would
spend
time
socializing,
sympathizing
and
serving,
with
the
purpose
of
opening
up
opportunities
to
lead
them
to
salvation.
In
our
next
presentation
we
will
look
at
a
leading
spokesman
for
the
Emerging
Church
movement
—Leonard
Sweet.