Emerging beyond the institution?
My friend Bill writes: “We really must emerge - from the darkness of institutionalism and into the light of communion.”
As far as I can tell the primary focus of the emergent conversation in our denomination seems to currently be about what is happening at a congregational level, especially as it might relate to forming missional congregations or planting new church developments.
However, I wonder if the conversation might need to extend to the denominational level as well. We’ve already seen it begin to take place in the form of cutbacks in staff, in the reorganization of our denominational offices, and in the questions like “Do we really need our middle governing bodies?”
But the conversation may need to go further. Consider these facts that point to institutional gridlock:
- NWAC Churches are organizing to leave (arguing all along that they want to be a missional denomination.)
- Denominational offices are trying to tighten the reins.
- Presbyteries are drawing lines with some closing ranks.
- We’re losing thousands of members a year and constantly arguing about the reason for it.
- We’re not establishing new churches and failing at the ones we do start.
- We’re not in agreement about how to go about doing mission, what that mission should look like, or if there is even sufficient funding for it.
My question: Can and should the emergent conversation inform and re-shape our understanding of what it means to be a denomination? Or as my friend says: Can we emerge beyond the darkness of the institution into the light of communion?
Comment by jerry on 19 February 2007:
I hope the current and coming conversation transform all institutional churches.
Comment by Tom Robinson on 19 February 2007:
Amen to Jerry’s comment; I would hope that the Emergent conversation would be just that - a conversation - which would engage all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds. I get a little nervous when people trot out their own agendas in the name of splitting away from the denomination; it sounds too much like ‘if I can’t have it my way I’ll take my ball and go home.’ We have a great religious tradition which needs us to keep talking and sharing with each other - in other words, to deepen our communion.