Been pondering what makes churches (ministries?) emerging. Here are what a couple books point to:
Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures
Eddie Gibbs, Ryan K. Bolger
Identifying with Jesus
Transforming Secular Space
Living as Community
Welcoming the Stranger
Serving with Generosity
Participating as Producers
Creating as Created Beings
Leading as a Body
Merging Ancient and Contemporary Spiritualities
An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches
Ray S. Anderson
It’s about Theology, not Geography
It’s about Christ, not just Christology
It’s about the Spirit, not just Spirituality
It’s about the Right Gospel, not just the Right Polity
It’s about Kingdom Living, not Kingdom Building
It’s about the Work of God, not just the Word of God
It’s about the Law of Love, not the Letter of the Law
It’s about the Community of the Spirit, not just the Gifts of the Spirit
It’s about Mission, not just Ministry
It’s about the Church ahead of Us, not only the Church behind Us
I’ve got the Ray Anderson book in the “To Be Read” pile on the floor next to my nightstand – hoping to get to it in the next couple of weeks. Nice summary points; I’m going to print them and tape them inside the cover of the book. Blessings, brother.