Imperishable Inheritance

I find that there is a sub-section of Christians, particularly reformed Christians, that love to blast the emerging church movement; but most of the time they don't even know the wide array of opinions on the issue and the benefits of it. I recently listened to a series of sermons where a reformed baptist pastor does acknowledge good things in his critique. The emerging movement is not above criticism from the Scriptures, but we must be sure to recognize positive contributions it has made.

Recognizing the Need For Postmodern Contextualization

The truth is that postmodernity brings with it new challenges to the church and her mission to spread the kingdom of God. Postmodernity, with its relativistic, skeptical epistemology challenges the very foundations of the absolute claims of the Christian faith. The emerging movement calls the church at large to recognize the difficulties present in this age of postmodernity, and the adherents strive hard to meet these people where they're at.

There are certainly people in the movement that take contextualization to far often by compromising core Biblical teachings, but we must not shy away from contextualization because some have done so irresponsibly. Jesus in John 4, Paul in Acts 17 and 1 Cor 9:20-21 are a few examples of the use of contextualization in the first century. It is not a new idea foreign to the great commission.

The Call For Missional Living

Christians all-to-often live in a world that really doesn't exist. We must remember that "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Jesus, the God-man, condescended from heaven to dwell amongst sinners. God comes to us'not us to him. We must remember this when we strive to live like Christ.

We must remember that our lives as missionaries is not reserved for a special outreach time, but it is a lifestyle, a joy, and a command from our Lord. Engaging the sick, poor, widowed, and postmodern people happens by living life next to them and showing them Christ in our words and actions. Jesus himself said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Mat 5:16). But we must remember that social action must not be the ends in and of itself, because we must ensure that the Gospel is the under-pinning and motivation for our actions.

Challenging the Clery/Laity Distinction

Christians often don't realize how Catholic ecclessiology continues to have a tremendous influence even in Protestant churches. The model of a sharp clergy/laity distinction finds its roots in Catholicism, and it was an error perpetuated by the reformers. The New Testament speaks of elders and deacons who are charged by God to teach, lead, and exemplify Godliness; but the idea of professional clergy is an aberrant concept to New Testament churches.

The Protestant Reformers as well as most Reformed churches today, have been unable to break with the strict clericalism which they have inherited from both Rome and Constantine. The Reformers were right in their soteriology (doctrine of salvation), but wrong in their ecclesiology (doctrine of the church). They rediscovered the Gospel, but were unable to fully recover the ecclesiology of the New Testament. Thus, in many respects, the Reformation was only a partial reformation. (Source)

Effectively Utilizing Technology

As a web designer I am in a special way appreciative of this last point. Members have found much success in influencing many, because they have seen the value in new technologies and democratization of information. Traditional church leaders often don't realize the incredible power that a strong web presence can have, and it is becoming a strategic way to reach those who otherwise would not be reached.

Conclusion

There are certainly things that trouble me about the emerging movement, but I feel it's important to outline contributions that the movement has made that the church at large should listen to. We must not shrug off something, because we see it as "new" especially when the ideas present within are as old as the Gospel itself. We must continue to remember that "we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love" (Eph 4:14-16).