Jason Byassee has an article in the current issue of
Christian Century that interests me. He gives his impression and
analysis of Jacob's Well, an emergent church in Kansas City.
The emergent and postmodern movement within
Christianity is nothing new for ministers, but if you are not a part of the
Church, you might not know about it. I think a revolution is happening. I don't
think the current forms of the emergent movement are any more sacred than any
that came before, but clearly many within the church are shrugging off a lot of
excess baggage.
I'd be interested in your thoughts on Jacob's
Well.
Here are some thoughts/questions I have about
the emergent Christian movement:
First, I think if you are trying to be
postmodern, you aren't postmodern. Be yourself. Do what you think is right and
leave the results up to God, or whatever you want to call the intelligence
behind the Cosmos. Emergent Christian churches have this feel to me. I like
that. I notice that many people who attend Jacob's Well have never heard of
Brian McLaren. That's a good thing.
Second, I like the emphasis on practice along
with theology. This is an approach to spirituality that makes sense to people.
And anyone who thinks practice and devotion are less important than doctrine has
not been reading the gospels.
Finally, I like the idea that at Jacob's Well,
you don't begin with doctrines and eventually find your way into the community.
Instead, you can become a part of the community and see where it takes you. My
friend
George became a Christian in just such a
way.
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