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I’m just about to start the 6th Chapter of Emerging Churches, and let me say it is still captivating me. I’m quite pleased to say that I don’t agree with 100% of everything that is said, but I do find some ideas that resonate within. Here is what I agree with. (summarized in my own words of course)

1.Be Church:  Church isnt something you just go to for 90 minutes on Sunday, its something you are. Its part of who you are as a Christian. It doesnt mean you have to go out and covert everyone you meet (or all your non Christian friends) It is part of you though.

2. Churches are gatherings for those on a path, not a waystop for those who have the answer.  Meaning, just because you are saved, it doesnt mean you can rest on your laurels.

3. Church can be more about the community then about the worship service. I do think there is a place for the worship service, but I also think that church can serve as a fantastic core for a community.

I can give an example of the last one even. My Church is a fairly diverse place and I don’t know everyone.  It would be fantastic if  when I needed a lawyer, I knew who within the congreation was one, or could refer me to one. Another example is my experience in housing. I consider myself fairly skilled in apartment searching and or marketing. I have an eye for these things. It would be interesting if the rest of the congregation new that, in case someone needed housing, or to rent out housing.

I’m not saying my current Church is lacking. I just think that the overall church experience can be more inclusive in our lives.  Overall, I could imagine a multi church experience, where you go to bible study here, break bread there, and worship over here. Meeting people and sharing experience and knowledge, moving forward as a multidimensional Christian.

Living in Seattle I’m fairly lucky that there are more then a couple of Emerging Churches in my backyard. I’m going to take the time over the next few months to explore them and see what they are all about. They are

Church of the Apostles

Quest

Vineyard

Mars Hill  (I’m not sure Mars Hill is really Emerging. I know they are a new generation Church, but I won’t feel like I know what they are really about until I actually go to service there once)

I’m going to make it my mission to visit each of these places in the next month and a half. 

There is an Emerging Church Learning Party in Portland on the 18th. I was hoping to be able to go, but that looks unlikely at this point, due to costs involved.

Aggressive scheduling. That’s typically what I refer to what I do. Tonight as I got out of class I was relieved to be able to go straight home. Tomorrow I’ll be home as well, but commited to doing homework, much like last night.

Sometimes life feels too busy.

One big change I’m making this year is to increase my reading, both fiction and non. While balancing school work of course. So far this year I’ve finished two books and here is what I thought.

(Read on …)

First look, book review:  Emerging Churches

I just cracked this opening this morning and so far am pleased that its quite readable.
The introductory section, and first chapter give an insight into how the book is laid out, and have me feeling good about choosing this for my next Non Fiction read.

The  chapter discussing the differences in culture between the UK and the US was interesting, particularly data related to the percentage of people who attend church. The numbers are quite low in the UK (8%) and while they aren’t quite as low in the US (40%) Where you are in the US (Red State/Blue State can make a difference. ) In an urban democratic area, the attendance was tracked at 2-3%.

I’ll be interested to see what they think the solution is and how to get there.