Space For God

Emerging Church?

Posted: 24/02/2008


Ever since it was a term used with derision on a friends's website I have been interested in the notion of an emerging church.While waiting for church this morning I found this site and its very interesting. What do you think? Are we emerging?What from and what to? Here is the link http://www.emergingchurch.info/guide/index.htm

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• Great link Bekka! I found an article on there which tries to outline how emerging church is similar or different to other forms of church. It’s an excerpt from Michael Moynagh’s book emergingchurch.intro… see http://www.emergingchurch.info/reflection/michaelmoynagh/index.htm

  I think Space for God has aspects of emerging church. Moynagh writes, “The essence of emerging church is a heartbeat rather than a formula. Emerging church does not declare, ‘We’ve done this. It’s tried and tested. Take the model away and adapt it.’ It is more tentative, experimental and varied. Many involved are hesitant, unsure whether they have got it right and reluctant to make bold claims.”

  I think this describes Space for God quite well and yet we do still have quite a “come to us” kind of set-up rather than the “Emerging church… mindset (‘we’ll come to you’)” I suppose this website is one way we try to meet people where they are at… also the way in which our worship makes space for different people to contribute in different ways… I’m not sure what Space for God is emerging from and to… Moynagh also says emerging church “is a direction rather than a destination. It rests on principles rather than a plan. It arises out of a culture rather than being imposed on a culture. It is a mood, scarcely yet a movement.” These are all things which are hard to quantify but may well be part of Space for God’s vibe. Would you agree?

  
      — Steph · Apr 11, 06:00 pm

• Hi Bek,
  Came across your blog this morning so thought I would add a comment. I am an early baby boomer so I am at the old end of those who would be part of the emerging church. I am a member of what some would call an Emerging Church but maybe I would refer to it more as a simple church. There came a point in the lives of a number of us where we realised we no longer had the inclination nor time to be committed to a mainstream church.
  We took a frightening step and started an alternative.
  We seek to see our community committed to mission by being incarnational within the community eg some of us joined a book club at the council library. This is critical to us as we see the great miracle of Jesus as coming amongst us so if we seek to follow Him we must do the same. We don’t do this to “convert” people but we love reading, sharing our opinions and developing relationships. We don’t seek to “sell” the good news but to be more like gardeners, mid-wives or travel guides.
  We are committed to growing to be more like Jesus and to be more connected and influenced by the Holy Spirit and thirdly, we seek to be a praying community.
  We gather to celebrate over a meal once a fortnight. We break bread together, share stories, enjoy good food and consume good wine.
  Our community is called water2wine and there are around twelve of us. We live in the beautiful inner west of Sydney, Australia.
  Cheers,
  Geoff

  
      — Geoff Pollard · Sep 17, 11:30 am