If I seem to have gone silent on the subject of my actual dissertation then that is because of two reasons. The first is that I'm doing more reading than writing on it. I've worked my way through a few books and hopefully will have time for a few more before I have to write anything. The second reason is that, at college, there are other more pressing worries for me to be working on. I've been doing essays on Deuteronomy and Corinthians (about idolatry and resurrection respectively) and I've two more to do before the end of term; a sermon on Elisha and something about the Holy Spirit too.
But I've not stopped my thinking process and I think I've learnt a lot from being a part (even a minor part) of Sanctus 1 recently. This has given me a real insight into how alt. worship functions within an emerging church, and not just as an interesting way of adding variety to the worship of a non-emerging church. I do think there is a difference between the two. In both the worship can be true and authentic - there is no doubt about that. But in a non-emerging setting there can be far too many expectations placed on worship that is different because it is not a natural 'lets do church and see what we think is the best way of doing it' but has often been a fight against people's expectations and traditions.
I've been asked to be part of the 'emerging culture' venue at easter people this year. I remain to be convinced that it's not just a name change to be seen to be cool and up with the latest ecclesiological trends, but it does sound like there has been a real shift in (some people's) thinking - and an acceptance of the change in others. Whatever it is it's not going to be like the 'new forms' venue at Greenbelt, but then it shouldn't be, it should have an 'easter people' flavour and not a greenbelt one!
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Sanctus 1 (again)
I made it two months in a row to Sanctus 1's sunday service. And again I had a nice evening. I feel a bit guilty actually, I wonder if this church might just become a place for curiosity seekers like me (and my two friends who wanted to come along this time) and not for the people (I guess) it's intended for - people who don't fit in elsewhere. But everyone's been incredibly friendly and welcoming and I have felt very comfortable talking to people there. I've been very open about my intentions in going (just cause I was interested) and I've told a couple of people there about my wee project.
The service this time seemed to answer some of my questions about last time's service. This service was much more community-focused and we had chance in the middle of the service to talk to one another and share communion in a group (rather than it being a solitary affair). I guess that variety is part of the plan - sometimes one style, sometimes another (but I reckon I'll have to go a couple more times before I find out for sure).
Now I have a dilemma - the next time is 19th december, but I've already said to my friend I'll go to the last ever tribe gig which is the same night. Do I tell her I'm not going to go (and save myself £10) or do I go to the tribe gig anyway cause I said I would (and because the tribe surely consitute a form of alt.worship too!)?
The service this time seemed to answer some of my questions about last time's service. This service was much more community-focused and we had chance in the middle of the service to talk to one another and share communion in a group (rather than it being a solitary affair). I guess that variety is part of the plan - sometimes one style, sometimes another (but I reckon I'll have to go a couple more times before I find out for sure).
Now I have a dilemma - the next time is 19th december, but I've already said to my friend I'll go to the last ever tribe gig which is the same night. Do I tell her I'm not going to go (and save myself £10) or do I go to the tribe gig anyway cause I said I would (and because the tribe surely consitute a form of alt.worship too!)?
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Evangelism, what's that all about anyway?
Andy Hawthorne paid a visit to college this morning, he shouted at us in chapel. Whenever I've heard him he gets a bit shouty, a bit red in the face and this morning he must have piled on the pressure a bit because in the middle of his spiel he got a nose bleed. There is a passionate man, actually shedding blood for the sake of the gospel!
He was talking about evangelism, well he would, that's what he does, what he's known for and what he's successful at. For anyone who doesn't know, Andy Hawthorne is the director of the Message Trust, which does all sorts of things for young people in Manchester. Very cool.
He may shout a bit too much but I did like Andy, a very down-to-earth kinda guy, with amazing commitment and who's vision has made a real difference in many kids lives.
It made me think about preaching. I think I've come to realise that I don't like the preaching job I've got (not that it's a job - it would be nice to get paid for it but I can't see that happening!), what happens is that I go to churches full of old ladies and one or two old gentlemen and I try to encourage, challenge, bring vision and excitement for God, and they all tell me it's been a wonderful service and they really liked the hymns I picked. I'm obviously not communicating very well with them.
There are people I think I could communicate with really well (and not have to shout at them) but where on earth do you find a crowd of 20-30-something non-christians who are willing to listen to a crackpot bible-basher? I can hardly stand up in the middle of starbucks and start preaching!
For me the issue is not really how to communicate well, but where to go? "Go to the people" they say ("they" being Christian experts on mission of course) but where are the people? mostly in places where they don't want to be disturbed. I'm pretty sure that Christian mission won't be effective unless it can use the media and usual channels of entertainment and information to promote itself. That means taking media (old and new) and technology seriously and not just thinking that because we have powerpoint in our church we're 'hip and with it'.
These random thoughts were brought to you by the letter 'j' and the number 5. Thank you for listening.
He was talking about evangelism, well he would, that's what he does, what he's known for and what he's successful at. For anyone who doesn't know, Andy Hawthorne is the director of the Message Trust, which does all sorts of things for young people in Manchester. Very cool.
He may shout a bit too much but I did like Andy, a very down-to-earth kinda guy, with amazing commitment and who's vision has made a real difference in many kids lives.
It made me think about preaching. I think I've come to realise that I don't like the preaching job I've got (not that it's a job - it would be nice to get paid for it but I can't see that happening!), what happens is that I go to churches full of old ladies and one or two old gentlemen and I try to encourage, challenge, bring vision and excitement for God, and they all tell me it's been a wonderful service and they really liked the hymns I picked. I'm obviously not communicating very well with them.
There are people I think I could communicate with really well (and not have to shout at them) but where on earth do you find a crowd of 20-30-something non-christians who are willing to listen to a crackpot bible-basher? I can hardly stand up in the middle of starbucks and start preaching!
For me the issue is not really how to communicate well, but where to go? "Go to the people" they say ("they" being Christian experts on mission of course) but where are the people? mostly in places where they don't want to be disturbed. I'm pretty sure that Christian mission won't be effective unless it can use the media and usual channels of entertainment and information to promote itself. That means taking media (old and new) and technology seriously and not just thinking that because we have powerpoint in our church we're 'hip and with it'.
These random thoughts were brought to you by the letter 'j' and the number 5. Thank you for listening.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Liquid Church
Sometimes I don't know where to post things. That's the problem with having multiple blogs. Especially when I have a general one that loads of people read and this little one that's specialist but nobody really knows about!
I read Liquid Church by Pete Ward. Considering that I've been gradually becoming more interested in emerging church stuff I'm surprised it's taken me this long to get round to reading it. I've read other books about 'future church', 'church next', '21st century church' and so far they've all been a load of hot air.
The reason I'm having this posting dilemma is that this (Liquid Church) is not like the rest. It is a great book, and therefore I should tell as many people as possible about it - which means posting a review on my main blog (http://www.silkworm.org.uk/blog/) but the subject matter fits better here so I shall post it here for starters.
Reasons I like liquid church:
The book isn't particularly heavy on the theological side, but good theology has a priority - the idea of liquid church may actually be reactionary against culture, but it isn't portrayed that way, in this book, the theology comes first, then and only then is the current culture consulted. This is proper theology too - it's easy to read but draws on a wide range of theological traditions (with real quotes and everything!)
Pete Ward does not mention postmodernism (yeah!!! woo!). The book does try to understand society and culture but doesn't resort to simply repeating the introductory chapter of a sociology textbook from the eighties. Thank goodness for that.
The insights into culture were actually things I could recognise from my own life and that of my friends; the importance of networks of communication, becoming accustomed to constant change and a more risky way of life (there are no permanent jobs, people move around more freely etc.) and, to my surprise, an acceptance of consumer culture - and a broader understanding of consumerism than simply 'materialism is evil!'
"Church leaders will need a fundamental change of heart if they are to start to take consumer culture seriously. Instead of opposing materialism and treating consumer choice as evil, we need to begin to embrace the sensibilities of consumption. This means that we must develop a church life that connects with what people want, and one vital ingredient will make this change possible. the church must change its emphasis from meeting people's spiritual needs to stimulating their desires." (p72)
That desire is really important. Yesterday I went to my church for the evening service. It was all about worship - how important it is to keep on worshipping (especially if we don't feel like it! I'm sure you've heard that before). Given that that was the theme of the service it was ironic that I found it very difficult to worship.
The preacher had had the experience lots of ministers do that as soon as people find out she's a minister they start asking if they really need to go to church to be a christian. She said that on one occasion she surprised people by saying yes - that part of being a christian is a commitment to worship - with other christians.
My problem is not with the answer she gave, but with what lies behind the question. Honestly, I do think you can be a christian without being part of a church, but I wouldn't really want to. When I've heard most people ask that question (or ones like it) all I can hear is the guilt behind it - like a child desperately hoping to be given an excuse to get out of going to the dentist! (Please tell me I don't have to go to a church, please!!!). How do we stimulate desire for God so that going to church isn't like going to the dentist but something you'd actually freely choose to do?
Where the book falls down somewhat is when it comes to the practicalities of what 'liquid church' might look like. I understand the reasons for that, we don't really know what it might look like, but I was hoping for something more tangible - examples and ideas.
I also felt that though there were some good points about worship (my own particular focus) the examples of worship given were somewhat weak - all variations on the same theme of - you can have stations and pray in different ways at each station. Liquid church should release us to be more creative in worship - not less! surely it should encourage more variety and not simply be a manual of 101 ways to light a candle.
I read Liquid Church by Pete Ward. Considering that I've been gradually becoming more interested in emerging church stuff I'm surprised it's taken me this long to get round to reading it. I've read other books about 'future church', 'church next', '21st century church' and so far they've all been a load of hot air.
The reason I'm having this posting dilemma is that this (Liquid Church) is not like the rest. It is a great book, and therefore I should tell as many people as possible about it - which means posting a review on my main blog (http://www.silkworm.org.uk/blog/) but the subject matter fits better here so I shall post it here for starters.
Reasons I like liquid church:
The book isn't particularly heavy on the theological side, but good theology has a priority - the idea of liquid church may actually be reactionary against culture, but it isn't portrayed that way, in this book, the theology comes first, then and only then is the current culture consulted. This is proper theology too - it's easy to read but draws on a wide range of theological traditions (with real quotes and everything!)
Pete Ward does not mention postmodernism (yeah!!! woo!). The book does try to understand society and culture but doesn't resort to simply repeating the introductory chapter of a sociology textbook from the eighties. Thank goodness for that.
The insights into culture were actually things I could recognise from my own life and that of my friends; the importance of networks of communication, becoming accustomed to constant change and a more risky way of life (there are no permanent jobs, people move around more freely etc.) and, to my surprise, an acceptance of consumer culture - and a broader understanding of consumerism than simply 'materialism is evil!'
"Church leaders will need a fundamental change of heart if they are to start to take consumer culture seriously. Instead of opposing materialism and treating consumer choice as evil, we need to begin to embrace the sensibilities of consumption. This means that we must develop a church life that connects with what people want, and one vital ingredient will make this change possible. the church must change its emphasis from meeting people's spiritual needs to stimulating their desires." (p72)
That desire is really important. Yesterday I went to my church for the evening service. It was all about worship - how important it is to keep on worshipping (especially if we don't feel like it! I'm sure you've heard that before). Given that that was the theme of the service it was ironic that I found it very difficult to worship.
The preacher had had the experience lots of ministers do that as soon as people find out she's a minister they start asking if they really need to go to church to be a christian. She said that on one occasion she surprised people by saying yes - that part of being a christian is a commitment to worship - with other christians.
My problem is not with the answer she gave, but with what lies behind the question. Honestly, I do think you can be a christian without being part of a church, but I wouldn't really want to. When I've heard most people ask that question (or ones like it) all I can hear is the guilt behind it - like a child desperately hoping to be given an excuse to get out of going to the dentist! (Please tell me I don't have to go to a church, please!!!). How do we stimulate desire for God so that going to church isn't like going to the dentist but something you'd actually freely choose to do?
Where the book falls down somewhat is when it comes to the practicalities of what 'liquid church' might look like. I understand the reasons for that, we don't really know what it might look like, but I was hoping for something more tangible - examples and ideas.
I also felt that though there were some good points about worship (my own particular focus) the examples of worship given were somewhat weak - all variations on the same theme of - you can have stations and pray in different ways at each station. Liquid church should release us to be more creative in worship - not less! surely it should encourage more variety and not simply be a manual of 101 ways to light a candle.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Sanctus1 ... Continued
I need to blog about that service I went to on sunday before I either completely forget about it or my memory becomes so warped that I remember things that didn't happen.
I arrived at about 10 to 8 and the service was due to commence at 8. That's incredibly early for me, my usual time for arriving at church is about 5 minutes after the service has begun. I was one of the first non-involved people there and I was shown into a room with seats around the edges, beanbags and rugs on the floor in the middle and a projector set up to project onto a big screen at one end of the room. The room was fairly dark but with ambient lighting in the corners faintly illuminating the church architecture. A steady stream of people began to come into the room, most of whom seemed to know each other and there was a fair bit of chatting going on. I got talking to the girl sitting next to me, she was very pleasant, she wanted to know how I'd found out about them.
As the service began the chatter stopped and the room fell into a reverent silence that would last for most of the rest of the evening (until the tea and coffee broke the spell).
The service began with lighting three candles to symbolise each member of the trinity. We were then told the legend of St Christopher. I had heard the bit of the story before - about St Chris carrying a wee lad across a river only to find out it was Jesus he had been ferrying. But I hadn't heard the rest of the legend, about how our St Christopher got the job as human bridge in the first place.
The purpose of this saintly story was to introduce our theme for the evening 'All Saints', relevant with it being close to all saints day. After this brief intro I was still wondering how the rest of the service would be shaped but I soon found out that from this point on I was expected to get up and move around. There were several small romms set aside in different parts of the building. Each room laid out with a different activity.
The first room I entered had a very short (<2 meters) athletics track marked out on the floor in white tape. I didn't really get the reason behind this demarkation of lanes on the floor but perhaps it was simply to mark out a pathway for each traveller to journey down. In that room we were told we were travellers, so we should take a pebble and add it to the cairn. The carin wasn't very big by this time but it was the first room I had gone to, I imagine it would have grown beyond the small handful of pebbles I added my offering to. As instructed, I marked a friend's name on a card and added it to a 'prayer shrine' of people we should try and help along their journey.
I made my way into a second room. The room was already pretty full of industrious people kneeling on the floor. As I found room to kneel down alongside them I saw what they were industriously making - origami cranes. I did read the reasoning behind this prayful paper folding but the exact meaning escapes me - something to do with Francis Asissi and a completely unrelated story of a japanesse girl who had folded a thousand cranes in order to have her wish granted. I wrote my prayer for peace on my blue sugar paper and then spent an agonizing 20 minutes trying to follow instructions that said things like 'fold the bottom corner of the top sheet over the top corner ...' I did eventually fold an acceptable paper crane - but not without the help and guidance of a few others who had folded before me.
The third room had a tv playing a looped video of Madonna's 'like a prayer' and a cross decorated with many different images of all types of people. The 'like a prayer' video features a statue of a black saint coming to life, and is supposed to be about combatting racism. I'm afraid it didn't make me think much about racial equality - only about Madonna's use of religious iconography and how much of it is an attention-getting act.
The final section was a presentation about some modern day saints - but I only saw a couple because the wandering around section of the worship was drawing to a close. I had thought that would be the end of the service but it wasn't. When we came back together we had a slow and respectful communion. One by one we went forward in silence to help ourselves to the bread and wine. I have to say the wine was the best communion wine I've ever had. It was proper full-bodied red wine, not the sweet sickly stuff I've had elsewhere (or the horrible ribena-like stuff we have at my church!)
That was the worship over with and there was chance to chat again. I really enjoyed that bit - especially so when I was invited to the pub to continue the conversation.
I did have a good night. I enjoyed the worship and I thought it had a lot to offer - but I did wonder if it placed a lot of emphasis on personal prayer and introspection - no matter how creative - and not enough on corporate worship and looking outwards toward God.
I arrived at about 10 to 8 and the service was due to commence at 8. That's incredibly early for me, my usual time for arriving at church is about 5 minutes after the service has begun. I was one of the first non-involved people there and I was shown into a room with seats around the edges, beanbags and rugs on the floor in the middle and a projector set up to project onto a big screen at one end of the room. The room was fairly dark but with ambient lighting in the corners faintly illuminating the church architecture. A steady stream of people began to come into the room, most of whom seemed to know each other and there was a fair bit of chatting going on. I got talking to the girl sitting next to me, she was very pleasant, she wanted to know how I'd found out about them.
As the service began the chatter stopped and the room fell into a reverent silence that would last for most of the rest of the evening (until the tea and coffee broke the spell).
The service began with lighting three candles to symbolise each member of the trinity. We were then told the legend of St Christopher. I had heard the bit of the story before - about St Chris carrying a wee lad across a river only to find out it was Jesus he had been ferrying. But I hadn't heard the rest of the legend, about how our St Christopher got the job as human bridge in the first place.
The purpose of this saintly story was to introduce our theme for the evening 'All Saints', relevant with it being close to all saints day. After this brief intro I was still wondering how the rest of the service would be shaped but I soon found out that from this point on I was expected to get up and move around. There were several small romms set aside in different parts of the building. Each room laid out with a different activity.
The first room I entered had a very short (<2 meters) athletics track marked out on the floor in white tape. I didn't really get the reason behind this demarkation of lanes on the floor but perhaps it was simply to mark out a pathway for each traveller to journey down. In that room we were told we were travellers, so we should take a pebble and add it to the cairn. The carin wasn't very big by this time but it was the first room I had gone to, I imagine it would have grown beyond the small handful of pebbles I added my offering to. As instructed, I marked a friend's name on a card and added it to a 'prayer shrine' of people we should try and help along their journey.
I made my way into a second room. The room was already pretty full of industrious people kneeling on the floor. As I found room to kneel down alongside them I saw what they were industriously making - origami cranes. I did read the reasoning behind this prayful paper folding but the exact meaning escapes me - something to do with Francis Asissi and a completely unrelated story of a japanesse girl who had folded a thousand cranes in order to have her wish granted. I wrote my prayer for peace on my blue sugar paper and then spent an agonizing 20 minutes trying to follow instructions that said things like 'fold the bottom corner of the top sheet over the top corner ...' I did eventually fold an acceptable paper crane - but not without the help and guidance of a few others who had folded before me.
The third room had a tv playing a looped video of Madonna's 'like a prayer' and a cross decorated with many different images of all types of people. The 'like a prayer' video features a statue of a black saint coming to life, and is supposed to be about combatting racism. I'm afraid it didn't make me think much about racial equality - only about Madonna's use of religious iconography and how much of it is an attention-getting act.
The final section was a presentation about some modern day saints - but I only saw a couple because the wandering around section of the worship was drawing to a close. I had thought that would be the end of the service but it wasn't. When we came back together we had a slow and respectful communion. One by one we went forward in silence to help ourselves to the bread and wine. I have to say the wine was the best communion wine I've ever had. It was proper full-bodied red wine, not the sweet sickly stuff I've had elsewhere (or the horrible ribena-like stuff we have at my church!)
That was the worship over with and there was chance to chat again. I really enjoyed that bit - especially so when I was invited to the pub to continue the conversation.
I did have a good night. I enjoyed the worship and I thought it had a lot to offer - but I did wonder if it placed a lot of emphasis on personal prayer and introspection - no matter how creative - and not enough on corporate worship and looking outwards toward God.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Sanctus 1
Ok, so it's not like real work but I feel like I have simultaneously progressed with research for my thesis, worshipped and made some new friends too. Not bad for a sunday night.
I have been to Sanctus 1's monthly worship service in Sacred Trinity at Salford. I think the best bit of the night was chatting to people before and after the official service bit. I even tagged along with people to the pub.
The worship was pretty cool too, lots of tech and candles and a relaxed atmosphere, things to do and watch and read and listen to. There's obviously a huge amount of planning and idea gathering that goes on for each service. I think I'll go to one of the smaller wednesday meets too, if only because then I can see the people I met tonight again.
Some of the people I met were first-timers like me. I was amazed to find that one couple live less than a minute's walk from my house - not bad considering we'd both driven the length of the city to be there.
I think I need to expand my thoughts on the worship tonight, but I'll save that for another time because I can feel my eyes getting heavy.
night night
I have been to Sanctus 1's monthly worship service in Sacred Trinity at Salford. I think the best bit of the night was chatting to people before and after the official service bit. I even tagged along with people to the pub.
The worship was pretty cool too, lots of tech and candles and a relaxed atmosphere, things to do and watch and read and listen to. There's obviously a huge amount of planning and idea gathering that goes on for each service. I think I'll go to one of the smaller wednesday meets too, if only because then I can see the people I met tonight again.
Some of the people I met were first-timers like me. I was amazed to find that one couple live less than a minute's walk from my house - not bad considering we'd both driven the length of the city to be there.
I think I need to expand my thoughts on the worship tonight, but I'll save that for another time because I can feel my eyes getting heavy.
night night
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Not sure I can do this!
Just had a bit of a panic - what do I know about anything? what makes me think I can write about this topic - it's as slippery as trying to catch soap in a bath - on an ice-rink. As soon as I think I've got somewhere and pinned something down, I realise I'm completely wrong. Aarrggh.
Ok, Ok Louise. Look at the nice pink friendly letters that say 'Don't Panic'. Go back down to the library and immerse yourself in the accumulated wisdom of all those dusty books - you'll be fine.
Ok, Ok Louise. Look at the nice pink friendly letters that say 'Don't Panic'. Go back down to the library and immerse yourself in the accumulated wisdom of all those dusty books - you'll be fine.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Got to get down to real work now.
My proposal was accepted, signed in triplicate and copies sent off to various files in different offices in dusty corners of the college. I guess this is so that if I decide to pull a fast one (No, I didn't really agree to write 10,000 words on alt. worship!) then several people can prove I was wrong and demand a wad of double spaced paper from me.
10,000 words might not sound much to seasoned academics or anyone who's ever written a book (which seems to be most people in ministry these days) but I've never taken on so large a project. I know from terrible experience that I can write a 3,500 word essay in a day - but that doesn't mean that I should spend three days on writing up this thesis. General advice from lecturers etc. is to get on with it. now. So I shall.
I can make a start by updating the links on this site to include more alt. worshippy things. It's not much but it is a start.
10,000 words might not sound much to seasoned academics or anyone who's ever written a book (which seems to be most people in ministry these days) but I've never taken on so large a project. I know from terrible experience that I can write a 3,500 word essay in a day - but that doesn't mean that I should spend three days on writing up this thesis. General advice from lecturers etc. is to get on with it. now. So I shall.
I can make a start by updating the links on this site to include more alt. worshippy things. It's not much but it is a start.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Indecent Proposal
Well ... Ok, perhaps 'indecent' is a bit strong. But after a long talk with someone more learned than I, I am making changes to the proposal I posted. I can't possibly cover the whole spectrum of ecclesiology and how it applies to emerging church, so I am going to look at the worship aspect alone. I know it doesn't cover all emerging worship, but I think I'll look at the alt.worship scene.
So I've got to think of a new title, description and to revise that booklist a bit.
Title:
Alternative Worship in the Emerging Church
Outline of Subject Matter:
An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the alternative model of congregational worship as practised by emerging church communities. This analysis will include a theological evaluation of the culturally driven aspects of alternative worship.
Outline of Research Method:
Investigation of the current understanding of alternative worship by its practitioners, acknowledgement of the cultural climate which has shaped alternative worship and gaining understanding of the theology and history of worship in order to provide a standard against which to measure the validity of alternative worship.
Preliminary Bibliography
(need to work this out yet!)
Ok, that sounds a little more manageable. Well, as long as I don't need to write a complete theology of worship in the process.
So I've got to think of a new title, description and to revise that booklist a bit.
Title:
Alternative Worship in the Emerging Church
Outline of Subject Matter:
An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the alternative model of congregational worship as practised by emerging church communities. This analysis will include a theological evaluation of the culturally driven aspects of alternative worship.
Outline of Research Method:
Investigation of the current understanding of alternative worship by its practitioners, acknowledgement of the cultural climate which has shaped alternative worship and gaining understanding of the theology and history of worship in order to provide a standard against which to measure the validity of alternative worship.
Preliminary Bibliography
(need to work this out yet!)
Ok, that sounds a little more manageable. Well, as long as I don't need to write a complete theology of worship in the process.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Dissertation Proposal
This week I must submit a complete dissertation proposal. I have a title, even if I'm not 100% convinced that it is a narrow enough focus for a big topic. I think it is narrow enough to rule out the most common ground I will come across.
Here's my proposition:
Title:
A reflection on the practice of the emerging church
Outline of Subject Matter:
A theological and biblical reflection on the current practice, ethos, community and worship of those expressions of church that are loosely grouped under the banner of 'emerging church'.
Outline of Research Method:
Primarily books written by leaders of emergent thought but also to partake in the worldwide community discussion as it takes place over the internet, through emerging church websites and blogs of some emerging church leaders and theologians.
Preliminary Bibliography
Gibbs, Eddie and Ian Coffey. Church Next: Quantum Changes in Christian Ministry. Inter-Varsity Press. 2001.
Ward, Pete. Liquid Church. Paternoster. 2002.
Kimball, Dan. Emerging Church, The: Vintage Christianity for New Generations. Zondervan. 2003.
McLaren, Brian D. The Church on the Other Side: Doing Ministry in the Postmodern Matrix. Zondervan. 2000.
Williams, Rowan et al. Mission-Shaped Church. Church House. 2004.
Sweet, Leonard et al. The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives. Zondervan. 2003.
Brewin, Kester. The Complex Christ: Signs of Emergence in the Urban Church. SPCK. 2004.
Jamieson, Alan. A Churchless Faith. SPCK. 2002.
Here's my proposition:
Title:
A reflection on the practice of the emerging church
Outline of Subject Matter:
A theological and biblical reflection on the current practice, ethos, community and worship of those expressions of church that are loosely grouped under the banner of 'emerging church'.
Outline of Research Method:
Primarily books written by leaders of emergent thought but also to partake in the worldwide community discussion as it takes place over the internet, through emerging church websites and blogs of some emerging church leaders and theologians.
Preliminary Bibliography
Gibbs, Eddie and Ian Coffey. Church Next: Quantum Changes in Christian Ministry. Inter-Varsity Press. 2001.
Ward, Pete. Liquid Church. Paternoster. 2002.
Kimball, Dan. Emerging Church, The: Vintage Christianity for New Generations. Zondervan. 2003.
McLaren, Brian D. The Church on the Other Side: Doing Ministry in the Postmodern Matrix. Zondervan. 2000.
Williams, Rowan et al. Mission-Shaped Church. Church House. 2004.
Sweet, Leonard et al. The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives. Zondervan. 2003.
Brewin, Kester. The Complex Christ: Signs of Emergence in the Urban Church. SPCK. 2004.
Jamieson, Alan. A Churchless Faith. SPCK. 2002.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Consumer Christianity
We do live in a consumer society. If I want a pair of jeans, I can choose to go to one of a number of different shops and can choose how much I want to pay, which brand I would like and what colour they should be. I can choose a £10 pair of blue jeans from Asda or I can go for the £100+ designer option, from Kendals or one of the posh shops on King Street (Manchester) or any variation in between. I believe that I have the right to buy whichever pair I can afford, and whichever I choose on the basis of fit, colour, style and even label.
I will concede that there is danger inherent in such a society, that we expect such abundant choice in everything but that choice might be harmful to us or detrimental to others - should we be able to choose how much tax we pay for services or which laws we should obey?
The Mission Shaped Church book has a section about consumer culture (p9-11) , equating consumerism with choice and calling it the dominant idolatry of capitalist societies. The report does say that the poor are unable to be consumers because they are unable to buy things. (I do wonder just how many poor people those who wrote the report know. The poor people I know are the ones most sold out to consumer culture! The ones who most earnestly desire designer labels, cable TV and holidays).
When consumerism is defined as the desire to accumulate possessions, to be seen to be as cutting edge as possible and a fixation on fashion then I would agree that it is destructive. However, when consumerism is described simply as choice (as it so often is) then I think we have to be very careful about demonising it or we will miss something very important by equating our ability to make choices with idolatry.
For those of us who are Christians, at one point (or several) we made a choice to follow Christ rather than our own paths. We made a choice to accept his sacrifice and offer of free forgiveness. Whether that was a conscious decision or one made gradually over the course of years, we did make that choice.
For those of us who are churchgoers, at one point, or several, we have made decisions about which church we will attend, what denomination we will belong to, which theology makes most sense to us, even which service we will regularly attend. We choose churches on the basis of music, preaching, liturgy, accessibility, childcare provision, traveling distance, our own family tradition and upbringing, friend's recommendation, number of people in the right age bracket, and a whole host of other reasons. Even if we were born and brought up in one church, we have at some point made the decision to stay where we are. We have all made choices, that does not mean we are all idolaters.
I'd like to apply a little more caution to an out and out denunciation of consumer culture. I think there are many positives as well as negatives that arise out of this culture we live in. I like to be able to choose which pair of jeans I will buy, rather than having to wear a one-size-fits-all pair. I also like to be able to choose the church in which I will worship.
I'd better go, I've chosen to go to the evening service tonight and if I don't leave now I will be late.
I will concede that there is danger inherent in such a society, that we expect such abundant choice in everything but that choice might be harmful to us or detrimental to others - should we be able to choose how much tax we pay for services or which laws we should obey?
The Mission Shaped Church book has a section about consumer culture (p9-11) , equating consumerism with choice and calling it the dominant idolatry of capitalist societies. The report does say that the poor are unable to be consumers because they are unable to buy things. (I do wonder just how many poor people those who wrote the report know. The poor people I know are the ones most sold out to consumer culture! The ones who most earnestly desire designer labels, cable TV and holidays).
When consumerism is defined as the desire to accumulate possessions, to be seen to be as cutting edge as possible and a fixation on fashion then I would agree that it is destructive. However, when consumerism is described simply as choice (as it so often is) then I think we have to be very careful about demonising it or we will miss something very important by equating our ability to make choices with idolatry.
For those of us who are Christians, at one point (or several) we made a choice to follow Christ rather than our own paths. We made a choice to accept his sacrifice and offer of free forgiveness. Whether that was a conscious decision or one made gradually over the course of years, we did make that choice.
For those of us who are churchgoers, at one point, or several, we have made decisions about which church we will attend, what denomination we will belong to, which theology makes most sense to us, even which service we will regularly attend. We choose churches on the basis of music, preaching, liturgy, accessibility, childcare provision, traveling distance, our own family tradition and upbringing, friend's recommendation, number of people in the right age bracket, and a whole host of other reasons. Even if we were born and brought up in one church, we have at some point made the decision to stay where we are. We have all made choices, that does not mean we are all idolaters.
I'd like to apply a little more caution to an out and out denunciation of consumer culture. I think there are many positives as well as negatives that arise out of this culture we live in. I like to be able to choose which pair of jeans I will buy, rather than having to wear a one-size-fits-all pair. I also like to be able to choose the church in which I will worship.
I'd better go, I've chosen to go to the evening service tonight and if I don't leave now I will be late.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
About me
I've been interested in the whole emerging church thing but one thing I need to work out is whether I am a real participant or someone standing at the edges looking in. The problem is I'm not sure. Depending on what your definition of emerging church is, I may be a fully paid up member or a total stranger. I'll tackle the definition of emergent soon but first I'll do justice to a definition of myself.
Currently, I am 29. I am a rather mature student doing a degree in theology at a small, friendly, conservative evangelical theological college. This is my second degree, my first was in maths.
I am also a Christian, a useful attribute for a theology student. I was brought up in the methodist church and, even though I've tried to leave a couple of times in my life, I never quite made it out of the door. I'm quite happy about being a methodist now even though the unending bureaucracy and inflexibility really gets me down.
I am a preacher, I have a certificate to prove it. That puts me in the position of being seen as a church leader without any of the having to visit sick people in hospital (I never know what to say in those situations). It certainly has the unexpected (to me) effect of people giving my opinions more weight. I'm not sure that's a good thing at all, I don't want any special treatment but it does mean that I have to take full responsibility for anything I say - I know it will be listened to.
So far this all puts me firmly in the camp of the traditional modern church, not the fun and funky, free-flowing, postmodern emerging church, so you may well ask why I think I have anything at all to say about it.
About this time last year, I went to hear Jonny Baker talk about what he and his colleagues do at grace and about alt.worship and the emerging church. I realised that there were many points of contact with what we do at my church in worship. Once every few months, we do something called No Compromise which is team planned and led, uses music, video and all sorts of other media with the aim of connecting people with God in a new way. More frequently, we also have cafe church. In my mind, cafe church would be more effective if it were actually held in a cafe rather than the church coffee lounge. Nevertheless, for a methodist church it is quite radical to have a monthly service with no music and no sermon.
My church does dabble in alt.worship in these ways and both expressions of worship are accepted, appreciated and welcomed. They do not make my church into an emerging church though. It appears that to be accepted as an emerging community, an alt.worship congregation should distance itself from the background that nurtured it. My church, as is, wouldn't be an 'emerging church' unless some people broke away, started meeting in a darkened warehouse and called themselves 'fr3sh' or 'ambient' or something. Perhaps that is what needs to happen, I don't know, but I am interested in ventures that emerge from within the church, not necessarily just alongside it.
My other interest is in the internet. I've worked as a website developer for quite a few years. One of the projects I've been involved in is generation cross, a website that aims to provide community and support for Gen X christians. Over the year it's been open, I've come to the realisation that, at its best, such a community is as legitamate an expression of church as any other. We do need to work out the finer details, how to encourage real world links as well as virtual ones and how to worship corporately online, but it's a start and it's one I'm very excited about.
There are probably more factors that are relevant to my journey but I think these are the most pertinent.
On balance, I think my position is not one of being firmly entrenched in the emerging church camp, but I'm not so far away that I can't relate to it.
I came across this article (What (again) is emerging church?) yesterday when I was looking for another definition of emerging church. Here's a snippet:
I thought that in this context, I'm one looking at all the people in front of me who are already so far away, but I'm not willing to rush off and leave the people I am journeying with behind me.
Currently, I am 29. I am a rather mature student doing a degree in theology at a small, friendly, conservative evangelical theological college. This is my second degree, my first was in maths.
I am also a Christian, a useful attribute for a theology student. I was brought up in the methodist church and, even though I've tried to leave a couple of times in my life, I never quite made it out of the door. I'm quite happy about being a methodist now even though the unending bureaucracy and inflexibility really gets me down.
I am a preacher, I have a certificate to prove it. That puts me in the position of being seen as a church leader without any of the having to visit sick people in hospital (I never know what to say in those situations). It certainly has the unexpected (to me) effect of people giving my opinions more weight. I'm not sure that's a good thing at all, I don't want any special treatment but it does mean that I have to take full responsibility for anything I say - I know it will be listened to.
So far this all puts me firmly in the camp of the traditional modern church, not the fun and funky, free-flowing, postmodern emerging church, so you may well ask why I think I have anything at all to say about it.
About this time last year, I went to hear Jonny Baker talk about what he and his colleagues do at grace and about alt.worship and the emerging church. I realised that there were many points of contact with what we do at my church in worship. Once every few months, we do something called No Compromise which is team planned and led, uses music, video and all sorts of other media with the aim of connecting people with God in a new way. More frequently, we also have cafe church. In my mind, cafe church would be more effective if it were actually held in a cafe rather than the church coffee lounge. Nevertheless, for a methodist church it is quite radical to have a monthly service with no music and no sermon.
My church does dabble in alt.worship in these ways and both expressions of worship are accepted, appreciated and welcomed. They do not make my church into an emerging church though. It appears that to be accepted as an emerging community, an alt.worship congregation should distance itself from the background that nurtured it. My church, as is, wouldn't be an 'emerging church' unless some people broke away, started meeting in a darkened warehouse and called themselves 'fr3sh' or 'ambient' or something. Perhaps that is what needs to happen, I don't know, but I am interested in ventures that emerge from within the church, not necessarily just alongside it.
My other interest is in the internet. I've worked as a website developer for quite a few years. One of the projects I've been involved in is generation cross, a website that aims to provide community and support for Gen X christians. Over the year it's been open, I've come to the realisation that, at its best, such a community is as legitamate an expression of church as any other. We do need to work out the finer details, how to encourage real world links as well as virtual ones and how to worship corporately online, but it's a start and it's one I'm very excited about.
There are probably more factors that are relevant to my journey but I think these are the most pertinent.
On balance, I think my position is not one of being firmly entrenched in the emerging church camp, but I'm not so far away that I can't relate to it.
I came across this article (What (again) is emerging church?) yesterday when I was looking for another definition of emerging church. Here's a snippet:
Many, of course, feel that they are not so much emerging as barely escaping with their lives, with the chariots and horsemen of Egypt hot on their heels. Others are cautiously venturing through the gaps that have opened up in the rusting border fence that has confined them for so long. Some are coming empty-handed and desperate. Others are bringing much of their past with them, loaded on to handcarts, and it remains to be seen how much will survive the journey.
I thought that in this context, I'm one looking at all the people in front of me who are already so far away, but I'm not willing to rush off and leave the people I am journeying with behind me.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Missile Shaped Church
I have found a purpose for this blog I created. I was thinking it would be good to have a place where I can comment on what I'm thinking and writing about emerging church without boring my usual blog readers silly.
I also harbour vague ambitions that, open source style, I can get comments, feedback and thoughts that I can loop back into my thinking and take it forward. Sounds a bit like getting help with your homework though so I don't know if anyone will oblige!
I will begin by telling you that I've been reading "Mission Shaped Church". So far it's pretty good, but, being an Anglican report, it does dissapear off into a particularly Anglican world at times. I have some thoughts about the report's outright rejection of a consumerist mentality, then a few pages later saying how important it is that variety is maintained in theology and practice to cater for all the different niches of society. Sounds more than a little contradictory to me.
I think this is a topic for a larger post because I have certain views on the demonisation of consumer christianity that is so popular at the minute. I'll leave you waiting with bated breath for more on that later.
I also harbour vague ambitions that, open source style, I can get comments, feedback and thoughts that I can loop back into my thinking and take it forward. Sounds a bit like getting help with your homework though so I don't know if anyone will oblige!
I will begin by telling you that I've been reading "Mission Shaped Church". So far it's pretty good, but, being an Anglican report, it does dissapear off into a particularly Anglican world at times. I have some thoughts about the report's outright rejection of a consumerist mentality, then a few pages later saying how important it is that variety is maintained in theology and practice to cater for all the different niches of society. Sounds more than a little contradictory to me.
I think this is a topic for a larger post because I have certain views on the demonisation of consumer christianity that is so popular at the minute. I'll leave you waiting with bated breath for more on that later.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Hmmm this blogging thing just goes on and on!
Well I wanted to post a comment on someone's blog and I couldn't. I needed a blogger account of my own. So now I've got one, but don't read this, if I post anything here I expect it to be random gibberish. Go look at my proper blog at http://www.silkworm.org.uk/blog/ that's much better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)