Power, critics and the emerging church

There has been a lot of criticism about what the church will look like in the future. There are those who are afraid the future church will abandon important issues they believe to be foundational or imperative to faith in Jesus. Sometimes these are folks who have made absolutes out of as many things as possible. Baptism required for salvation? A certain view of scripture generally starting with in-? To some of us this perspective seems a bit militant. To those who hold these absolutes, they are not optional beliefs.

So there are folks who are looking for a safe place to work out their faith, because the simple answers seem patronizing, and frankly hard to swallow. I'm not talking about hard to swallow in the sense that these emerging folks don't want to face some kind of sin, or that they find what their critics call orthodoxy. It's that when they look at scripture and they understanding it gives on the nature of God, they have significant issues with the critics version of orthodoxy. Generally they find it far to close and generally undermined by a cultural bias and as such the emerging folks believe it to be an issue of faithfullness. They simply can not be faithful to the God of the Bible and make some of these issues absolute.

It's interesting because both groups seem to love God deeply, both groups have a desire for orthodoxy. Both groups have a desire to see the kingdom come and God's will be done. It's just that they are coming to different conclusions.

Unfortunately, then it's the critics of the emerging leader who seem (it's my perception) to want to convince the emerging folks to believe their perspective. Convince is a mild term. But I'm attempting to give them the benifit of the doubt. What it feels like is condemnation, slander, malicious misrepresentation and a grab for power. Is that what it is? I'm not sure, but on this side of the criticism it doesn't feel loving.

Emerging folks are learning that they do not need the approval of critics, and their grab for power is like grabbing for air. Their criticism don't take root all that often because they are rooted in something other than the Kingdom they claim to represent. Of course they feel like the are standing up for truth, which should be acknoledged and honored.

Another note on this: It's important to listen to those who are critiquing our thoughts. We still have a lot to learn from our friend, even when it feels like they seem unhealthy or have an above average amount of zeal to tell you what they think of you and your thoughts.

So, Emerging friends, please be patient with our brothers and sisters who are vocal with each of us. Continue to pray for them and assume that they are praying for us.

It's time we beleived the best about each other and it's alright to give up having to be right all the time. There is no need to defend the emerging church, such conversations generally are not helpful in the blogosphere, when you can, buy a cup of coffee with a critic and find out about them, their family, the children, they dreams for the church, their love for God.

Please do not be tempted to lash out to legitimize yourself against these folks, your faith is not dependent upon their agreeing with you.

But do find community. Find people who take scripture seriously and who will prayerfully sharpen your thoughts and theology. Don't surround yourself with yes men and women.