I have been doing some reading lately on "emerging church" and the interesting dynamic that exists between them and the evangelical church. I find it somewhat amusing (and sad) that so much energy is spent in the conversation/argument over who is closer to God’s heart in terms of worship styles, social activism, ability to question, doctrine, the evils one has done over the other etc.

 

I wonder sometimes if this is not really about one form of church versus another but rather a cultural clash of moderns vs. post-moderns who are using church as the vehicle for a more cultural agenda.

 

It seems to me that while these two groups are occupying themselves in bashing each other’s structures with styrofoam bats there is a "real" emerging group of pastors, Christ followers and plain ol’ folk simply continuing to do as best they can with this thing called worship. You know who these folks are – they are the ones that are happy to listen to the arguments, at times contribute, visit a website here or there, read a book or article to keep up with things but most of the time they are simply shopping (I include myself in this category)…

 

We look into these characters’ realms and take what we need in terms of tools, lessons etc. As my friend Pastor D says "thank you Bill Hybels I’ll take your stuff on leadership and administration. Thank’s Rob Bell I like your Nooma vid’s that’ll work well in my service this week, Brian McLaren – interesting points on being genuine, open and honest…" etc. You get the idea.

 

Here we are out here doing the best we can as God leads simply taking the wheat that is produced by these conflicting groups and leaving the chaff of the conflict (discussion) and conference photo-ops behind.

 

So – it is sad to see the waste of energy as both sides often refuse to see the blessing of each other (or spend 10 seconds on a banal "the thing I like about you is…" and then four hours on the "but…". All I can say to both sides is keep producing and we’ll keep using what we like and leave the cultural angst to you.

 

Cheers.

 

P.S. There is no symbolism in the choice of who got to be black spy and who got to be white so don’t waste any time trying to analyze that (I love you both, stop fighting).